Dynamic response of plate structures to external excitations

The dynamic response of plate structures composed of rigidly connected thin plates subjected to point loads is studied. The finite strip method combined with a new approach for analyzing periodic structures is utilized to obtain substantial reduction in computational efforts. Each strip with various boundary conditions is treated as a waveguide capable of transmitting different wave motions. Wave scattering matrices are defined to characterize wave motions at boundaries, intersection of plates and where type of wave guides are changed. The results obtained from the application of the approach on various plate configurations are presented and discussed.