Plate - bending moment equation

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on solving the bending moment equation for a cantilever plate subjected to pressure, specifically using the formula $$ M_{x}=\frac{qa^{2}}{2}-qax+ \frac{q x^{2}}{2} $$ and its implications on stress calculations. The user encountered issues with boundary conditions leading to nonsensical results, particularly when substituting values into the derived equations. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding boundary conditions and their impact on the applicability of methods used for symmetric versus asymmetric plates.

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TL;DR
How to calculate the stress and deflection for a cantilever plate using bending moment equation ?
Hi,

I'm trying to solve an exemplary case of a cantilever plate (one long edge fixed, all other edges free) subjected to pressure. I've already calculated this using approximation to beam of unit width and the results are good but I would like to use another method too. In a polish book I've found two examples - one plate with shorter edges simply supported and one with shorter edges clamped. I tried solving my example in a similar manner but the results are meaningless. The method is analogous to the approach used for beams - calculate stress from maximum bending moment and deflection from differential equation.

Here's a scheme of the plate:
plate.png

I was advised to use the following formula for bending moment: $$ \displaystyle{ M_{x}=\frac{qa^{2}}{2}-qax+ \frac{q x^{2}}{2}} $$ The bending moment equation for a plate is: $$\displaystyle{ D w^{\prime \prime}=-M_{x}}$$ Thus: $$\displaystyle{ D w^{\prime \prime}=- \frac{qa^{2}}{2}+qax- \frac{q x^{2}}{2}}$$ $$\displaystyle{ D w^{\prime}=- \frac{qa^{2}x}{2}+ \frac{q a x^{2}}{2} - \frac{q x^{3}}{6}+C_{1}}$$ $$\displaystyle{ D w=- \frac{qa^{2}x^{2}}{4}+ \frac{q a x^{3}}{6} - \frac{q x^{4}}{24}+C_{1}x+D_{1}}$$ Introducing boundary conditions to find constants of integration: $$\displaystyle{ x=0 \Longrightarrow w=0}$$ $$\displaystyle{ x=0 \Longrightarrow w^{\prime}=0}$$ $$\displaystyle{ C_{1}=\frac{qx \left( 3 a^{2} - 3ax + x^{2} \right) }{6}}$$ $$\displaystyle{ D_{1}=- \frac{q x^{2} \left( 6 a^{2} - 8ax + 3 x^{2} \right)}{24}}$$ $$\displaystyle{ Dw=- \frac{q a^{2} x^{2}}{4}+ \frac{q x^{2} \left( 3 a^{2} - 3ax + x^{2} \right)}{6}- \frac{qx^{2} \left( 6a^{2} - 8ax + 3x^{2} \right)}{24}+ \frac{qax^{3}}{6}- \frac{qx^{4}}{24}}$$ $$\displaystyle{ x=a \Longrightarrow w_{max}}$$ Now when I substitute ##a## to the previous equation I get ##Dw=0## which makes no sense.

When it comes to stresses, they will be highest at the fixed edge where ##x=0## so: $$M_{x \ max}=\frac{qa^{2}}{2}$$ $$\sigma_{x \ max}=\frac{M_{x \ max}}{\frac{h^{3}}{12}}$$ but when I substitute values, the stress results are completely incorrect.

What's wrong with these calculations ? Is the method itself not applicable in this case ? Examples from the book featured plates with symmetric boundary conditions but it wasn't mentioned that this approach won't work for asymmetric boundary conditions. Or maybe I just made some mistake ?

Thanks in advance for help
 
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Have you checked Timoshenko's Plates & Shells? I don't know if this is included, but that would be the most likely source I can think of.
 

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