Nonlinear Bending of a Rectangular Thick Plate with Four Free Edges on An Elastic Foundation
Shen Huishen   Hu Yu
（Shanghai Jiaotong University)

Abstract: Based on the Reissner-Mindlin plate theory considering the first order shear deformation effect and including the plate-foundation interaction, a nonlinear bending response of a rectangular thick plate with four free edges subjected to transverse partially distributed loads and resting on a two-parameter elastic foundation has been studied by a mixed Galerkin-perturbation method.The solutions satisfy all bounday conditions and governing equations. The influence played by the foundation stiffness is also discussed.
Keywords: two-parameter elastic foundation, rectangular thick plate with four free edges, large deflection, Galerkin-perturbation method.