Maysenhölder, Waldemar2009-08-312016-03-312009-08-312016-03-311987316307718http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bsz:93-opus-45660http://elib.uni-stuttgart.de/handle/11682/6722http://dx.doi.org/10.18419/opus-6705It is recalled how wave equations can be generated from dispersion relations. The bending wave equation for thin plates including some higher-order terms is obtained by this general method and compared to the corresponding equation of Timoshenko. Further, the dispersion of free plate waves is derived in a concise and elementary manner without using a scalar potential and a vector potential for the displacements. Finally, as a matter of practical interest, exact and approximate expressions for the ratio of parallel to perpendicular displacements at a plate surface are calculated. Under favourable circumstances measurement of this ratio allows decomposing an observed wave into its quasi-longitudinal and bending components.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessPlattenwelle530article2014-10-16