Analysis of vibrating thick rectangular plates with mixed boundary constraints using differential quadrature element method

A free vibration analysis of moderately thick rectangular plates with mixed boundary conditions is presented on the basis of the first-order shear deformation plate theory. The differential quadrature element method, a highly efficient and accurate hybrid approach, has been employed. To establish the numerical model, the complex plate domain is first decomposed into small simple continuous sub-domains (elements) and the differential quadrature :method is then applied to each continuous sub-domain to solve the problems. Compatibility conditions are developed for the conjunction nodes on the interface boundaries of elements in order to connect the elements. Convergence and comparison studies are carried out to establish the reliability of the solutions. The first eight frequency parameters are predicted for various types of thick rectangular plates with mixed edge constraints. (C) 1999 Academic Press.