Three-dimensional elasticity solutions to some orthotropic plate problems (Q1302505)

This paper presents a three-dimensional analysis of rectangular orthotropic plates by employing the differential quadrature (DQ) method. We give a detailed derivation of the governing equations and of the stress-strain relationship for a three-dimensional elasticity model, together with the constrained conditions for orthotropic plate edges. The governing equations and boundary conditions are normalized and discretized according to the DQ procedure. Example problems which include bending, buckling and free vibration of orthotropic plates with generic boundary conditions illustrate the applicability of the DQ method.