Free flexural vibration analysis of one-way stiffened plates by the free interface modal synthesis method

Abstract

A numerical model is presented for predicting the natural frequencies of one-way stiffened plates with ribs having high ratios of flexural to shear rigidity. The model is based on the free interface modal synthesis method. Experimental validation using floors with wood I-joists and wood-based sheathing showed that the model has good numerical accuracy in the predictions of natural frequencies and mode shapes if analyses include shear deformation and rotatory inertia effects in ribs. Neglect of these effects can lead to large errors in the predicted natural frequencies for plates with ribs having high ratios of flexural to shear rigidity. Large errors can also be encountered in natural frequency prediction for plates with fairly low ratios of flexural to shear rigidity. This occurs with mode shapes that have multiple curvature along ribs if shear deformation and rotatory inertia effects are neglected. Key words: free flexural vibration, natural frequencies, ribbed plates, flexural rigidity, shear rigidity, modal synthesis.