Analytical solution for free vibration of multi-span continuous anisotropic plates by the perturbation method

Accurately determining the natural frequencies and mode shapes of a structural floor is an essential step to assess the floor\'s human-induced vibration serviceability. In the theoretical analysis, the prestressed concrete floor can be idealized as a multi-span continuous anisotropic plate. This paper presents a new analytical approach to determine the natural frequencies and mode shapes of a multi-span continuous orthotropic plate. The suggested approach is based on the combined modal and perturbation method, which differs from other approaches as it decomposes the admissible functions defining the mode shapes by considering the intermodal coupling. The implementation of this technique is simple, requiring no tedious mathematical calculations. The perturbation solution is validated with the numerical results.