Forced transverse vibrations of a simply supported rectangular orthotropic plate in the case where the force acts over a plate subdomain

The present study deals with the exact solution of the title problem in the case where a uniformly distributed p₀ cos ωt-type force acts over a rectangular portion of the plate. The problem is of interest in naval and ocean engineering systems where a motor or an engine mounted on a plate or slab induces a dynamic excitation over a finite area. Mechanical designers commonly consider the problem from the point of view of a concentrated dynamic or static force. On the other hand, modelling the structural system as an orthotropic element is of considerable interest in ocean and naval design in view of the ever-increasing use of composite materials and also of the anisotropic characteristics often induced by metallurgical processes.