Analysis of plates with variable thickness

In this thesis is studied the effect of variable thickness upon the moments, reactions, and deflections of tapered rectangular plates with three edges fixed and one edge free, subjected to uniform loading. The plates are tapered in one direction with the least thickness at the free edge and the greatest thickness at the opposite fixed edge. The solutions may be uaeful for the design of reinforced concrete retaining walls, tanks, and other structures. Solutions are given for a wide range of parameters. Poisson's ratio is taken as zero for all collations. The results are presented in detail in tables and charts in a form convenient for design uae. A Kantorovich-Galerkin method of solution was employed, using a series involving Duncan symmetric functions between the fixed edges. The resulting coupled ordinary differential equations were then solved by the finite differenc