Free in-plane vibration analysis of rectangular plates by the method of superposition

The superposition method is introduced as a means for obtaining analytical-type solutions for free in-plane vibration of rectangular plates. The governing differential equations and boundary conditions are expressed in dimensionless form. The problem of free in-plane vibration of the completely free rectangular plate is resolved for illustrative purposes. Convergence is found to be rapid and excellent agreement between computed results and those obtained by previous authors utilizing the Rayleigh–Ritz energy method is obtained. It is pointed out that following procedures analogous to those utilized in resolving lateral plate vibration problems, in-plane free vibration problems related to point supported plates, plates with in-plane elastic boundary support, etc., are now amenable to solution by this method.