Nonlinear bending of Reissner-Mindlin plates with free edges under transverse and in-plane loads and resting on elastic foundations (Q1960977)

A nonlinear bending analysis is presented for a rectangular Reissner-Mindlin plate resting on a two-parameter (Pasternak-type) elastic foundation with free edges subject to a combined transverse partially distributed load and compressive edge loading. The formulations are based on the Reissner-Mindlin plate theory considering the first-order shear deformation effect, and including the plate-foundation interaction. The analysis uses a mixed Galerkin-perturbation technique to determine the load-deflection curves and load-bending moment curves. Finally, the author studies a number of effects, among them the effects of foundation stiffness, transverse shear deformation, loaded area, the plate aspect ratio and initial compressive load.