TY - JFULL AU - Ahmed M. Farag and Wael F. Mohamed and Atef A. Ata and Burhamy M. Burhamy PY - 2013/2/ TI - Numerical Method Based On Initial Value-Finite Differences for Free Vibration of Stepped Thickness Plates T2 - International Journal of Mathematical and Computational Sciences SP - 1 EP - 8 VL - 7 SN - 1307-6892 UR - https://publications.waset.org/pdf/12368 PU - World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology NX - Open Science Index 73, 2013 N2 - The main objective of the present paper is to derive an easy numerical technique for the analysis of the free vibration through the stepped regions of plates. Based on the utilities of the step by step integration initial values IV and Finite differences FD methods, the present improved Initial Value Finite Differences (IVFD) technique is achieved. The first initial conditions are formulated in convenient forms for the step by step integrations while the upper and lower edge conditions are expressed in finite difference modes. Also compatibility conditions are created due to the sudden variation of plate thickness. The present method (IVFD) is applied to solve the fourth order partial differential equation of motion for stepped plate across two different panels under the sudden step compatibility in addition to different types of end conditions. The obtained results are examined and the validity of the present method is proved showing excellent efficiency and rapid convergence. ER -