Dynamic behaviour of an axially moving thin orthotropic plate

A new approach to analysis of the dynamic behaviour of axially moving orthotropic plates is presented. The nonlinear orthotropic plate theory is modified to include the inertial forces resulting from the moving web. The results of numerical investigations show the solution to a linear problem. The effects of the orthotropy factor, axial transport velocity and rolls support system on transverse and torsional natural frequencies and stability of the plate motion are presented. The lowest natural frequencies decrease with the increasing axial velocity at undercritical transport speeds. The plate may experience divergent or flutter instability at supercritical transport speeds. A second stable region above the critical speed may exist as well.