194 Energy and Variational Methods for Solution of Lateral Deflections

The maximum deflection at x = y = a/2, using the first three terms (m = n = 1;

m = 1, n = 3; m = 3, n = 1) of the series expression (4.2.28) is
w
max =
7.9289p
0
a
4
= 0.002625
p
0
a
4
.

7
D D
A comparison with the corresponding result of a more exact solution, w
max
=
0.00263p
0
a
4
/D, given in Ref. [2], indicates only an insignificant error. This
example illustrates the high accuracy obtainable by the Ritz method, provided
that proper shape functions are used. Considering more terms, even this rela-
tively small error can be eliminated.
ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE II
Determine the maximum deflection of the clamped rectangular plate shown in
Fig. 4.2.2 by the Ritz method. Assume that the plate is subjected to constant
lateral load and use a/b = 1.5 span ratio.
b
O
X
A A
b
aa
Y
(a)
p
z
= p
0
= const
X
Section A A
(b)
Figure 4.2.2 Rectangular plate with fixed edges.
To utilize the apparent symmetry of the deflected plate surface, we take the
coordinate axes through the middle of the plate parallel to the sides. In this case,
the deflection given by Eq. (2.5.30) becomes

m
x
n
y
W
mn
w(x, y) = m n 4 1 (1)m cos a 1 (1)n cos b

for m, n = 1, 3, 5, . . .
. (4.2.30)
Ritzs Method
This series expression satisfies the given boundary conditions
(w)
x=a
= 0,
w
= 0;
x
x=a (4.2.31
(w)
y=b
= 0,
w
= 0.
y
y=b
For the sake of simplicity, let us consider only the first term (m = n = 1) in Eq.
(4.2.30). Thus, we can write
W

y
w =
11
1 + cos 1 + cos
.
(4.2.31a) 4 a b
Substitution of this expression into Eq. (4.2.6) gives the strain energy of the plate in
bending; therefore
D a b
D
4
W
2
3
b 3a2
. (4.2.32)
U
b
= (
2
w)
2
dx dy =
11
+ + 2
a
32 a
3
b
3
ab
b
Similarly, from Eq. (4.1.9), the potential of the external forces is computed:
V = p
0

+a

+b
w(x, y) dx dy = p
0
W
11
ab.
a b
Minimization of the total potential,
(U
b
+ V )
=
0,
W
11
yields
W
11
=
16p
0
a
4
1
.
D
4
3 + 3(a
4
/b
4
) + 2(a
2
/b
2
)
(4.2.33)
(4.2.34)
If a/b = 1.5 and = 0.3, the
maximum deflection at x =
y = 0 is calculated
from Eqs.
(4.2.31a) and
A comparison with the
exact solution of the
problem [2], which is
shows that the approximate
solution is accurate enough
for most practical pur-poses.
By considering more terms
in the series representation
of the deflections, a more
accurate solution can be
obtained.