Variational finite difference method for free vibration of sector plates

Abstract The procedure of discretizing the total energy of free flexural vibration of orthotropic curved plates in polar co-ordinates by the method of finite differences is adopted. The principle of minimization of the total energy is applied in succession with respect to each discrete displacement which yields a standard eigenvalue problem. Mode shapes and natural frequencies are obtained. Example problems of isotropic and orthotropic sector plates and rectangular plates as a degenerate case have been considered, and the results are compared with existing solutions. Good agreement has been observed in all cases.