| Abstract: | A Fourier series solution is presented for a system of first-order partial differential equations which describe the linear elastic behaviour of a thick rectangular plate resting on an elastic foundation and carrying an arbitrary transverse load. The lateral edges of the plate are unstressed. A central step in the method for solving the system of equations is to combine a complementary function with a particular solution of the system in order to satisfy the boundary conditions. The complementary function is the sum of two series. The terms of the first series are products of a Fourier term in one space variable with the solution of an eigenvalue problem in the other space variable. The second series is similar and comes from reversing the roles of the space variables. |
