An exact solution for transversely isotropic, simply supported and layered rectangular plates

Abstract

Levinson's solution for the problem of a simply supported rectangular plate of arbitrary thickness by normal surface loads is extended to the transversely isotropic and layered case. The exact closed form solution is obtained by using the propagator matrix method in a system of vector functions. As a special case of the layered medium, the normal displacement or deflection of a homogeneous plate of arbitrary thickness by normal surface loads is also given. It is shown that it approaches the classical solution for the transversely isotropic thin plate as the thickness approaches zero on the one hand, and on the other hand reduces to the thick plate expression as given by Levinson when the medium is isotropic.