ABSTRACT A set of two-dimensional, nonlinear equations for electroelastic plates in moderately large thickness-shear deformations is obtained from the variational formulation of the three-dimensional equations of nonlinear electroelasticity by expanding the mechanical displacement vector and the electric potential into power series in the plate thickness coordinate. As an example, the equations are used to study nonlinear thickness-shear vibrations of a quartz plate driven by an electrical voltage. Nonlinear electrical current amplitude-frequency behavior near resonance is obtained. The equations and results are useful in the study and design of piezoelectric crystal resonators and the measurement of nonlinear material constants of electroelastic materials.
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