| Abstract: | The energy approach using the variational procedure in conjunction with the finite difference technique has been applied for the Mindlin theory dynamic analysis of rectangular plates with cutouts in which account is taken of the effects of both transverse shear deformation and rotary inertia. This study has clearly demonstrated that the discrepancy with the thin plate theory solutions increases with increasing values of thickness ratio β and the error due to the thin plate assumptions increases particularly for the higher modes. It is also concluded that the effect of a cutout becomes more pronounced as the thickness of the plate approaches the size of cutout. |
