Harmonic response analysis of coupled plate structures using the dynamic stiffness method

In this study, the dynamic stiffness method (DSM) is applied to study the free and forced vibration behaviors of thin, three-dimensionally coupled plate structures. Both the flexural and in-plane vibrations are taken into consideration. In the formulation, the coupled plate structures are divided into several sub-plates, then the dynamic stiffness matrices of the sub-plates are derived separately by combining the superposition method with the projection method. According to the geometrical coupled condition between the sub-plates, the dynamic stiffness matrix of the whole coupled structure is assembled. To validate the present method, three numerical examples of coupled plate structures subjected to external excitations are performed and analyzed. The accuracy and reliability of the present method are demonstrated by comparing the present results with those obtained by the FEM. Then, the effects of the directions of external harmonic excitations and the coupled angle between the coupled plates on the dynamic responses are investigated. Furthermore, a computational efficiency study is given to illustrate the convergence and accuracy of the DSM.