The deformation of a rectangular slab with free edges under transverse loads

The Rayleigh-Ritz energy method is used to obtain an approximation to the deflected shape of a flat slab which is loaded transversely and which is supported either on columns (Part 1), or on an elastic foundation (Part 2) for which the upthrust at any point is directly proportional to the displacement at that point. Computer programmes (Ferranti Pegasus) are briefly described by use of which solutions can be obtained in about four minutes.