An integral equation formulation of plate bending problems

Summary The mathematical theory of thin elastic plates loaded by transverse forces leads to biharmonic boundary value problems. These may be formulated in terms of singular integral equations, which can be solved numerically to a tolerable accuracy for any shape of boundary by digital computer programs. Particular attention is devoted to clamped and simply-supported rectangular plates. Our results indicate support for the generally accepted treatment of such plates and for the intuitive picture of deflection behaviour at a corner.