On a highly accurate computational scheme for the approximate analysis of shear-flexible anisotropie plates

The paper deals with the analysis of shear-flexible anisotropic plates subjected to arbitrary boundary conditions. In order to solve the pertinent boundary value problem, a Ritz-type technique has been developed which, however, ist not based on the standard principle of minimum potential energy but a modification thereof. In this variational theorem, the boundary conditions are satisfied a posteriori as natural constraints, therefore relatively simple trial functions can be used to approximate the displacement variables in the interior of the plate. Extensive studies carried out on a series of relevant examples illustrate that the proposed method represents an inexpensive, reliable and highly efficient tool for solving a wide variety of plate bending problems.