Abstract :
This paper presents a nite-element formulation for dynamic analysis of
orthotropic plates using two-variable Re ned Plate Theory (RPT). Hamiltonʹs principle is
employed to obtain the governing equations, and the semi-discrete approach is utilized for
solving the equations. After constructing spatial weak form equations, a 4-node rectangular
plate element with six Degrees Of Freedom (DOFs) per node is introduced for discretization
of the domain. An unconditionally stable implicit Newmark scheme is used for temporal
discretization. A MATLAB code with the capability of modelling both static and dynamic
plate problems with various boundary conditions is generated. Several numerical problems
are solved, and the obtained displacements and stresses are compared with the existing
results in the literature. The results demonstrate the accuracy, simplicity, and eciency of
the present method in dynamic analysis of plate problems.
