Mindlin plate analysis by segmentation method

A method for the numerical analysis of rectangular plates based on Mindlin's theory is presented. Any two opposite edges are assumed to be simply supported in the present analysis. A variety of boundary conditions including the mixed and the nonhomogeneous types can be specified along either of the remaining two opposite edges. Numerical results are presented for four examples. The present results clearly show the discrepancies in the results of the usual thin plate theory. Some of the problems associated with the use of the thin plate theory based on Kirchhoff's assumptions are clarified. Finally it is shown that the present segmentation method which is based on the numerical integration of the governing equation system is efficient, economical, reliable, and very accurate in such applications