Effect of fluid depth on the hydroelastic vibration of free-edge circular plate

This paper is concerned with the effect of water depth on the free vibration of free-edge circular plates resting on a free fluid surface. The problem addressed is formulated by using the Hankel transformation method, which leads to dual integral equations. The solution of dual integral equations is solved numerically by using Fourier-Bessel series. The fluid is assumed to be inviscid and incompressible. The Kirchhoff theory of plates is used to model the elastic thin plate. Numerical results are given in non-dimensional form for free-edge circular plates, in order to be ready-to-use in applications. To validate the theoretical results, experiments were carried out. Experimental results are in good agreement with theoretical results. It is found that the effect of the fluid depth can be neglected when the fluid depth is greater than the diameter of the circular plates but becomes significant as the water depth decreases. It is also observed in the experimental results that the fluid damping increases as the water depth decreases. (C) 2000 Academic Press.