Simple Formula to Study the Large Amplitude Free Vibrations of Beams and Plates

A simple formula to study the large amplitude free vibration behavior of structural members, such as beams and plates, is developed. The nonlinearity considered is of von Karman type, and after eliminating the space variable(s), the corresponding temporal equation is a homogeneous Duffing equation. The simple formula uses the tension(s) developed in the structural members due to large deflections along with the corresponding buckling load obtained when the structural members are subjected to the end axial or edge compressive load(s) and are equal in magnitude of the tension(s). The ratios of the nonlinear to the linear radian frequencies for beams and the nonlinear to linear time periods for plates are obtained as a function of the maximum amplitude ratio. The numerical results, for the first mode of free vibration obtained from the present simple formula compare very well to those available in the literature obtained by applying the standard analytical or numerical methods with relatively complex formulations.