Abstract: The theoretic solution for rectangular thin plate on foundation with four edges free is derived by symplectic geometry method. In the analysis proceeding, the elastic foundation is presented by the Winkler model. Firstly, the basic equations for elastic thin plate are transferred into Hamilton canonical equations. The symplectic geometry method is used to separate the whole variables and eigenvalues are obtained simultaneously. Finally, according to the method of eigen function expansion, the explicit solution for rectangular thin plate on foundation with the boundary conditions of four edges frees are developed. Since the basic elasticity equations of thin plate are only used and it is not need to select the deformation function arbitrarily. Therefore, the solution is theoretical and reasonable. In order to show the correction of formulations derived, a numerical example is given to demonstrate the accuracy and convergence of the current solution.

Key words: elastic foundation, rectangular thin plate, symplectic geometry method, theoretic solution