Non-axisymmetric bending of thin annular plates due to circumferentially distributed moments

The non-linear deformation of a thin annular plate subjected to circumferentially distributed bending moments is studied. A von Kármán plate model is adopted to formulate the equations of motion. Free-free boundary conditions have been applied at both inner and outer edges. The matrix formulation of the Differential Quadrature Method is used to discretise and solve the governing equations. Linear analysis predicts that the annular disk deforms axisymmetrically into a spherical dome. However, the proposed non-linear analysis shows that a symmetry breaking bifurcation may occur after which the linear solution becomes unstable and the plate transitions into a non-axisymmetric cylindrical deformation. This is the case when at least one of two parameters reaches a critical value. These parameters are the non-dimensionalised ratio between applied moment and bending stiffness and the ratio between inner and outer radius. Furthermore, it is noted that free-free boundary conditions and circumferentially distributed bending moments do not break the circular symmetry of the annular disk. Hence, the principal axes of curvature in the deformed configuration do not have a preferred orientation. Therefore, the present work describes a shell possessing infinite identical equilibria, having different yet no favoured direction and, hence, links to previous researches on neutrally stable structures.