Bending problem of rectangular plates of unidirectional nonhomogeneity and variable thickness with two opposite edges simply supported under arbitrary distributed loads

Abstract

Using the step reduction method[1,2] suggested by the first author of this paper, we investigate the problem indicated in the title and obtain the stepped approximate solutions. As an example, the case of a square plate of linearly varying thickness with four edges simply supported under linearly distributed loads is calculated. The obtained results agree well with those given in [3] and thus the exactness of the new method is verified.