Large Amplitude Forced Vibration Analysis of Stiffened Plates Under Harmonic Excitation

Large amplitude forced vibration behaviour of stiffened plates under harmonic excitation is studied numerically incorporating the effect of geometric non-linearity. The forced vibration analysis is carried out in an indirect way in which the dynamic system is assumed to satisfy the force equilibrium condition at peak excitation amplitude. Large amplitude free vibration analysis of the same system is carried out separately to determine the backbone curves. The mathematical formulation is based on energy principles and the set of governing equations for both forced and free vibration problems derived using Hamilton’s principle. Appropriate sets of coordinate functions are formed by following the two dimensional Gram-Schmidt orthogonalization procedure to satisfy the corresponding boundary conditions of the plate. The problem is solved by employing an iterative direct substitution method with an appropriate relaxation technique and when the system becomes computationally stiff, Broyden’s method is used. The results are furnished as frequency response curves along with the backbone curve in the dimensionless amplitude-frequency plane. Three dimensional operational deflection shape (ODS) plots and contour plots are provided in a few cases.