Analytical strip solution to rectangular plates

A computer oriented "exact" method of solution is presented for the bending problem of orthotopic rectangular plates. The method requires that two opposite edges be clamped or simply supported, or one edge clamped and the other simply supported. Any combination of boundary conditions could exist along the other edges. The plate could be subjected to any combination of patch, uniform, line, and concentrated loads. The plate is divided into strips whose number depends on the type and number of loads. The solution for the deflection of each plate strip is expressed as a Levy type single Fourier series, and the loads are expressed as a corresponding series. The advantage of the analytical strip method is that it overcomes the limitations of the previous "exact" methods (Navier's and Levy's), it is easy to program oif a computer, and it provides an alternative to numerical, semi-numerical, and other approximate methods. Results are presented for isotropic and orthotropic plates with different loading and boundary conditions.