Transient wave propagation of isotropic plates using a higher-order plate theory

Transient wave propagation of isotropic thin plates using a higher-order plate theory is presented in this paper. The aim of this investigation is to assess the applicability of the higher-order plate theory in describing wave behavior of isotropic plates at higher frequencies. Both extensional and flexural waves are considered. A complete discussion of dispersion of isotropic plates is first investigated. All the wave modes and wave behavior for each mode in the low and high-frequency ranges are provided in detail. Using the dispersion relation and integral transforms, exact integral solutions for an isotropic plate subjected to pure impulse load and a number of wave excitations based on the higher-order theory are obtained and asymptotic solutions which highlight the physics of waves are also presented. The axisymmetric three-dimensional analytical solutions of linear wave equations are also presented for comparison. Results show that the higher-order theory can predict the wave behavior closely with exact linear wave solutions at higher frequencies. (c) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.