A finite element approach to plate vibration problems

A method of computing the natural frequencies of vibration of flat plates of arbitrary shape is outlined in which the plate is considered as an assemblage of elements. Both stiffness and inertia matrices are derived for a rectangular isotropic plate element of uniform thickness, and these matrices are used to find the natural frequencies of square plates subject to various boundary conditions. Comparison of finite element frequencies with known exact, experimental and energy solutions shows the method to give good results even for relatively few elements