Moment value at the center of circular plates under central point load

Abstract

It is a well-known fact that the bending moment at the center of a circular plate under a central point load becomes infinite. So, `what is a sensible finite moment value, that one may adopt, at the center of circular plate under a central point load?' This study addresses this interesting and fundamental question. In order to obtain a finite value to the bending moment, we draw upon the exact deflection expressions from the classical and higher-order plate theories of Mindlin and of Reddy, and make some reasonable assumptions such as the maximum deflection of Mindlin plate being equal to the maximum deflection of the corresponding Reddy plate and the constancy of the Mindlin shear correction factor.