Plate displacement and rotation are key factors in understanding the behavior of Kirchhoff plates. Displacement refers to the movement of the plate out of its initial plane, while rotation describes the angle change around its edge.
For our Kirchhoff plate, the vertical displacement is denoted by "v," and the rotation by "φ." The relationship between these two is crucial in defining the plate's boundary conditions. Specifically, the rotation at the plate's edge is directly linked to the derivative of its displacement with respect to the radial coordinate "r."
- Displacement (v): Indicates how the plate moves vertically under load.
- Rotation (φ): Determines how much the plate tilts, influencing moment distribution along the edge.
This understanding aids in defining force and moment conditions at the edge, essential for ensuring the structural stability and performance of the system.