Simply supported annular plates transversely loaded by a concentrated force applied at an arbitrary point

An analysis is performed for a thin, annular plate, simply supported at its inner boundary, free at its periphery, and loaded by a concentrated force applied at any plate position. A purely flexural model is adopted, for which a series solution is obtained with the aid of an algebraic manipulator. Experimental tests are carried out for a specific plate geometry and the results obtained are compared to the analytical forecasts. A diagram is presented which summarizes the plate theoretical deflection by the loaded point for a wide range of aspect ratios of the annular plate and of normalized loaded positions.