Abstract
The finite element method was used to study the transient response of thick circular plates subjected to point impact. The response of plates having different geometries and subjected to impacts of different duration was studied in both the time and the frequency domains. It is shown that the transient plate response is composed of a number of different modes of vibration including P- and S-wave thickness modes, antisymmetric flexural modes, the rod mode, and P- and S-wave diameter modes. The origin of the diameter modes is discussed. Excellent agreement was found between the calculated frequency values and those obtained from finite element analyses.