Transition Mechanisms Attendant to Large Amplitude Parametric Vibrations of Rectangular Plates

Experiments have been conducted to investigate the transition mechanisms attendant to the parametric vibrations of a simply supported rectangular plate subjected to a periodic load of the form P = P₀ + P₁ cos γt. It is found that the transition mechanisms, such as “jumps” within the zone and “dropout” from the zone, are influenced by the initial curvature of the plate and by interactions with the source of energy. Due to the possibility of transitions between the parametric oscillations and forced vibrations of the plate, “splitting” of the zone may occur. Preliminary experiments indicate that the transition mechanisms have a strong influence on the response of the plate to stochastic loading.