Hencky Bar-Net Model for Vibration of Rectangular Plates with Mixed Boundary Conditions and Point Supports

This paper is concerned with the development of the Hencky bar-net model (HBM) for free vibration analyses of rectangular plates with mixed boundary conditions and point supports. The HBM is a two-dimensional discrete net system composed of rigid segments connected by frictionless hinges and rotational springs. In the model, bending is accommodated by rotational springs at each joint while the twisting by a diagonal spring system in each grid cell. The total mass of the plate is distributed as lumped mass at each joint and the continuous boundary stiffness of plate is simulated by springs located at the edge joints. Owing to the discrete property of HBM, it is able to readily handle any boundary conditions of plates including mixed boundary conditions and point supports. The HBM is herein used to solve some vibration problems of rectangular plates with mixed boundary conditions and point supports to demonstrate its accuracy and convenience for plate analyses.