The response of and sound power radiated by a clamped rectangular plate

The dynamic response of a clamped vibrating rectangular plate excited by steady-state harmonic point forces, couples and piezomoments are derived, based on a new method. This method eliminates the difficulties involved in solving high order simultaneous equations/matrices and provides an easier approach to calculating the structurally radiated sound. Point force and piezomoment inputs are experimentally applied by using electromagnetic shaker and piezoceramic exciters attached to the surface of the plate. The coupling effect due to the bounding layer between the plate and the piezoceramic actuators is also determined. The sound radiation measurement is conducted in a reverberant room equipped with an anechoic chamber. Results from these experiments indicate that the proposed method provides an accurate and efficient approach for theoretical estimation of the response of clamped rectangular plates and the structurally radiated sound power. (C) 1997 Academic Press Limited.