FREE VIBRATION ANALYSIS OF RECTANGULAR PLATES ON ELASTIC INTERMEDIATE SUPPORTS

A procedure using the finite strip element method in combination with a spring system is proposed to treat the free vibration analysis of plates on elastic intermediate supports. Results indicate that the spring system can successfully simulate elastic intermediate supports such as point supports, line supports, local uniformly distributed supports and mixed edge supports. From the results, it is also evident that support stiffness and support areas have significant influence on the free vibration response of plates on line supports and local uniformly distributed supports.