Exact bending solutions of orthotropic rectangular cantilever thin plates subjected to arbitrary loads

Abstract

Exact bending solutions of orthotropic rectangular cantilever thin plates subjected to arbitrary loads are derived by using a novel double finite integral transform method. Since only the basic elasticity equations for orthotropic thin plates are used, the method presented in this paper eliminates the need to predetermine the deformation function and is hence completely rational thus more accurate than conventional semi-inverse methods, which presents a breakthrough in solving plate bending problems as they have long been bottlenecks in the history of elasticity. Numerical results are presented to demonstrate the validity and accuracy of the approach as compared with those previously reported in the literature.