Static and dynamic responses of a circular plate on a tensionless elastic foundation

This study deals with the static and dynamic responses of a thin circular plate on an elastic foundation of Winkler type that reacts in compression only. The plate is assumed to be subjected to time dependent external moment and vertical load at its center. The non-dimensionless governing equations of motion are derived by application of Galerkin’s method. At this step the governing equations are reduced to the time domain by the use of the modal functions of the completely free plate. This gives rise to a set of coupled differential equations of second order having time dependent coefficients. Numerical results are presented in figures to illustrate static and dynamic behaviours of the circular plate. The figures indicate the extent of the contact region and the deflections of the plate depending on the loading combination and on time.