Mechanical Analysis of an Annular Plate Transversely Loaded at an Arbitrary Point by a Concentrated Force

An annular plate clamped at the inner rim, free at the outer edge and loaded at an arbitrary point by a concentrated force is mechanically analyzed via a purely flexural model. A series solution is achieved, whose coefficients are analytically evaluated with the aid of an algebraic manipulator. A series acceleration technique is also developed. Experimental data are obtained for a particular plate geometry, and the results retrieved in terms of deflections and stresses are compared to the analytical forecasts. A technically relevant diagram detailing the theoretical deflection of the plate at the loading point for a variety of plate proportions and load locations is also presented.