Experiments on large-amplitude vibrations of a circular cylindrical panel

The vibration response of a thin circular cylindrical panel to harmonic excitation in the neighborhood of the first three natural frequencies has been measured for different force levels. The experimental boundary conditions approximate (i) on the curved edges: zero radial, axial and circumferential displacements; all rotations were allowed; (ii) on the straight edges: zero radial and axial displacements; all rotations and circumferential displacements were allowed. The different levels of excitation permitted reconstruction of the relatively strong, softening type non-linearity of the panel. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.