STOKER'S PROBLEM FOR THE BENDING OF THIN ELASTIC PLATES WITH SMALL DEFLECTION

In this paper, the problem of bending of the uniformly loaded rectangular plates with rest-on edges, i.e. Stoker’s problem, is discussed. The following results are contributed: (ⅰ) A method for analyzing the problem by substituting single-sided line supports with equally spaced single-sided point supports and turning the discussed problem into solving that of convex quadratic programming has been developed. With the help of Fourier series the Stoker’s problem is completely solved. (ⅱ) It is strictly proved that the contact state between the edges of plate and the supports is stable. (ⅲ) The chief numerical results of four examples and several important conclusions are given.