Dynamic Behavior Analysis of a Geometrically Nonlinear Plate Subjected to a Moving Load

In this paper, the nonlinear dynamical behavior of an isotropic rectangular plate, simply supported on all edges under influence of a moving mass and as well as an equivalent concentrated force is studied. The governing nonlinear coupled PDEs of motion are derived by energy method using Hamilton’s principle based on the large deflection theory in conjuncture with the von-Karman strain-displacement relations. Then the Galerkin’s method is used to transform the equations of motion into the three coupled nonlinear ordinary differential equations (ODEs) and then are solved in a semi-analytical way to get the dynamical responses of the plate under the traveling load. A parametric study is conducted by changing the size of moving mass/force and its velocity. Finally, the dynamic magnification factor and normalized time histories of the plate central point are calculated for various load velocity ratios and outcome nonlinear results are compared to the results from linear solution.