Circular Plate on Tensionless Winkler Fundation

Abstract

The equilibrium configurations of a thin circular plate supported on an elastic foundation of Winkler type that reacts in compression only are investigated. The plate is assumed to be subjected to eccentric concentrated load and moment as well as a uniformly distributed load. The solution is accomplished by minimizing the total potential energy of the system. As the coordinate functions for the displacement function of the plate, the free vibration mode shapes of the completely free plate are used by including a rigid translation and a rigid rotation. It is found out that the plate will lift-off when the foundation stiffness is low. The results for the plate on a conventional and tensionless Winkler foundations are given in figures and compared.