Nonlinear acoustic response analysis of plates using the finite element method

The paper describes a perturbation technique to perform the nonlinear response analysis of plate structures under random acoustic excitation. In the analysis, use is made of a conforming plate element together with a nonlinear plate stiffness element which is dependent on the modal response of the structure. Applying these elements and the associated consistent mass matrices, the equivalent linear eigen matrix of the complete plate is organized. The eigen solution and the following modal spectral computation completes the iteration cycle. The iteration process is repeated until apparent convergent data are acquired. A flow diagram and a numerical example are included which illustrate the application of the method to practical problems.