Journal of Elasticity 68: 31-31, 2002. ” '© 2003 Kluwer Academic Publishers. Printed in the Netherlands, The Exact Theory of Plate Bending [LMT Cachan (ENS Cachar/CNRS/Paris 6 Uni) 61 Aw Président Wilson, 91235 Cachan, France Email: LadevezeG@ It ens-cachanr ‘Received 9 April 2002 in revised form 20 March 2003 Abstract. A now approach isintroduced forthe analysis and calculation of homogeneous, soopie elastic plates of constant thickness under arbitrary bending loads. This theory canbe called “exae’ because it leads to exact values ofthe generalized 2D quantities, Moreover, contrary to classical plate ‘eoris, ts not ited to relatively thin plates, ‘Mathematics Subject Classifications (2000): 74K20, BOS, ‘Key words: theory of plates, Sain-Venant principle, Kitchhof, 1. Introduction ‘Much research has been devoted, especially in elasticity, to the definition and validation of the classical theories of plates and shells on the basis of the 3D reference model. An initial and very important body of work focused on the de- velopment of a posteriori ertor estimators Which do not intwoduce so-called edge effects (18, 8, 19, 20], ete. (See [21].) Error estimators which include edge effect corrections were given in [21]. Thus, by the end of the 1980's, the classical theories of plates and shells, ic. the theories of Kirchhoff—Love and Reissner-Mindlin, ‘were relatively well-understood in the framework of linear elasticity. Another body of work is related to the technique of asymptotic developments, with the thickness as the small parameter [11, 12, 5, 9, 4], ete. (See [6].) Other, more recent work ‘was aimed at improving the classical theories; it was demonstrated that, with few modifications, the Reissner-Mindlin theory turns out to be a 2nd-order theory [21, 24, 26}. Still other work concentrated on the development of refined theories, particularly for composites, (See [33, 36, 35, 31].) All the work mentioned above, without exception, was based on the premise that a theory of plates or shells remains an approximation which can be satisfactory only ifthe thickness is relatively small The approach we are introducing here is a departure from this framework, The fact that the plate's thickness is, in practice, a parameter with a small value has 1no relevance. This approach is the culmination of the research work we have been conducting since the 1980's.38 PLADEVEZE In the calculation of beams, plates and shells, we consider that the key issue in classical linear elasticity is the partitioning of the solution into two parts: = one, called Saint-Venant’s solution, in which the variation length is large, and = one which contains the phenomena with a small variation length, which are, therefore, localized. ‘The concept of Saint-Venant’s principle is the basis ofthis approach. It could, as in the case of beams, suggest @ theorem which specifies the conditions on the data which would ensure that the solution is localized in the vicinity of the edge ‘or edges. This unitary vision of Saint-Venant’s principle was presented in [23], where it was demonstrated that this localization occurs if, and only if, the solution associated with the particular data is orthogonal to a distinctive family of solutions which, in the case of beams, is Saint-Venant’s classical family of solutions and, in the general case, isthe family of solutions which describes the phenomena with a large variation length. With F, Pecastaings, this vision of Saint-Venant's principle ‘was applied to homogeneous, isotropic plates subjected only to edge loading. In the case of bending, two generalized quantities ~ which, for our purposes, will be interpreted as an “average” deflection @ and an “average” moment fi ~ were highlighted. Saint-Venant’s principle applies if, and only if, the values of @ and fi are zero at the edges of the mid-surface. In fact, it can be shown that @ and i are zero everywhere [23]. Let us observe that very few studies, such as [13] for special ‘cases, have been done on Saint-Venant’s principle for plates. (See [14, 15].) Cur previous research relied on the assumption ~ which does not even come close to representing all the types of situations encountered in practice ~ that the given load densities which characterize the plate’s environment are zero, except at the edges. In the case of beams, a decisive breakthrough was made recently by introducing the concept of a solution with a large variation length (still called Saint-Venant’s solution) which is valid for any loading, any geometry and any ma- terial [28]. The basic tool is the Saint-Venant’s principle for beams [22, 23, 17, 16] (see [14, 15]). Asa result, the exact theory of beams ~ a revised approach to the cal- culation of beams — was developed. Several applications and an extension to curved beams were presented in [27]. Here, similar extension to homogeneous, isotropic clastic plates in bending is presented. The 3D reference solution is expressed as: sm sit [Sm ml Xara where ssy is the part with large variation length, to which we still refer as Saint- Venant’s solution, m’ + S(m — m’, Xs) is a density of “localized effect”, defined ‘on the mid-surface E,, which consists ofa regular part plus a set of Dirac distribu- tions whose supports are lines related to the discontinuities, especially at the edges. A key property of a localized effect is that the corresponding generalized quantities turn out t be zero.“THE EXACT THEORY OF PLATE BENDING 39 ‘Therefore, the generalized quantities associated with the reference solution as well as those associated with Saint-Venant’s solution are equal. Both can be cal- culated from a plate theory which is, formally, quite close to the KirchhofF-Love theory. Consequently, this plate theory is exact, since the generalized quantities it ‘generates are exact. ‘The localized effects other than the edge effects can be easily calculated through a series of standard 3D problems. The localized effects on the edges, along with the boundary conditions imposed on the generalized quantities, are determined 4 priori through the resolution of a 3D problem on a domain which includes the edge or edges and whose depth is roughly equal to the thickness. This problem can be solved using finite elements; in addition, a variety of more or less classical approximations can be developed. 2. The 3D Elastic Problem to be Solved and Specific Notations for Plates 2.1. THE REFERENCE PROBLEM IN 3D ELASTICITY Let us consider, with the usual hypotheses (linear elasticity, small displacements, statics), the equilibrium of a plate of constant thickness under arbitrary bending loads. (See Figure 1.) The mid-surface is denoted Yq, and the thickness 2h. Thus, the domain occupied by the plate is: Q=[M=X3N+m| me Eq, Xs €]-h, hl}. The lower and upper surfaces of the plate are denoted E* and E~; the side surface is E_. The plate’s environment is defined as a body force density f, ‘on @ and a surface force density F., on the surfaces © and E~. Moreover, let us prescribe a displacement U, on a part Ez ofthe lateral edge surface 3, and a surface force density H, on the complementary part ¥3) of E,.. Other boundary conditions can be introduced easily. The plate is assumed to be homogeneous and Ms Pp : ‘Lom \ M Figure 1. Geometry ofthe plate40 PLADEVEZE the material, isotropic. All the data are assumed to be compatible with a bending ype of behavior Here, we are working within the usual mathematical framework [10]. Let and J. be the finite-energy spaces which contain the displacement field U and the stress field 6, respectively. Then, the 3D elastic problem to be solved can be written as follows: Find U(M ), 0M), M € & such that: ‘© kinematic constraints: Yet, ls, =U, o © equilibrium equations: ced, divo+f,=0 2, on=Fy on EtUE, @) on=H, on Ex! @ © constitutive elation: o = Ke) @ Here, is the outward unit normal to the domain ©, K is Hooke’s tensor and ¢ is the strain operator, ie., the symmetric part of the gradient of the displacement U. We assume that K is a uniform, positive definite isotropic tensor E To wher A, jae the Lané coefficients the Young's modus is designated by & and Poisson's ratio by v- For the sake of simplicity, we consider that te force densities f,, Ey are collinear with N- Any loading ease canbe split int a bending load aid’ iehsion Toad tis decomposton being unique. Therefore, te loading case considered here Ke Tle}i + 2s with 2p E,=PN on B* and E>, s £08 ° where p is an even function of X3 ‘The remaining data are also considered to be compatible with bending behavior, 2.2. SPECIFIC PLATE NOTATIONS A point M befonging to the domain & is defined by (m, X3), with: Ma m+XyN, me Em, Xs € (7 i, Let 11 be the orthogonal projection operator associated with the plane of the plate, Then, the displacement can be split into two parts: U=V+wn, with Vv — nw,“THE EXACT THEORY OF PLATE BENDING 41 Introducing the stress operator, we have roa: [ ]. N-oN=o%, ‘The derivative related to X; is denoted 9 « /9X3 oF -/3. 2.3. REFORMULATION OF THE EQUATIONS TO BE SOLVED We introduce the deflection-stress pair s = (wa) (with a = (A+ 2y)divV. + AW/) and the rotation «@ = =(1/2)diviW A Vy PROPERTY 1, The equilibrium equations can be rewritten as follows: now ran [f ona fan: [Pear] [Upon P a0 0 Here, grad,, and dy = divy grad, are diferential operators associated with the coordinate’: (X,, Xo). with the *lobal” equilibrium condition 2+ f’ poxs— anf fxs f oars] =0 ® Proof. The equilibrium equations are: aaxy) +2u0 agra, f * odXs =0, © (HloN))s +4iv(Mlo Ml) =0 with oN =0 for X;= +h; Oy (ou)s +div(MloN) +p =0 withoss=+p for Xs = +h. (0) From MoM = AdiwWyn1 +2uHIen, h Mol = afl + 2p [Ment ~ 7,{MletHIN]}, wy ne as div(Tlo TM) = grada + 2A grado, 2) resulting in equation (6). Taking the divergence of (6), one obtains (7) from the identity: div (M.A grad, «) = 0. The “global” equilibrium condition (8) is equivalent to the condition: on=p atXy=4h o2 PLADEVEZE The quantities p, P may be discontinuous. We assume that their discontinu- ity surfaces are orthogonal to the mid-surface Ey. This does not realty limit the domain of application. PROPERTY 2. The deflection-stress pair s = (w, a) satisfies the following conti nuity conditions: 13) where En, is being a possible discontinuity surface. Other continuity conditions are contained in equations (6) and (7), which are ‘expressed in the distribution sense. Proof, Let En, be a possible discontinuity surface which is assumed to be ‘orthogonal to the mid-surface, The classical continuity conditions are: Ut=U> on Bry. of Eras aay where n is an unit vector normal to the discontinuity surface Br, From expression (11) NoM = all + 2y[Men -7,(Nenjn], we have n-ToTn = 2ut- et, where £ sa unit vector orthogonal to 1, Moreover, we have a=n-on +2 Y, From (4), we get on Et. ‘The condition w* = w~ on Er, is a direct consequence of (14), o 3. The Generalized Deflection-Stress Relation with Saint-Venant’s Principle Definition, First Properties and ‘The generalized deflection-stress pair § = (Wi 7) plays a central role in the exact, theory of plates: its definition is closely related to Saint-Venant’s principle for plates. which was developed in [23] and will be reviewed at the end of this section“THE EXACT THEORY OF PLATE BENDING B 3.1. DEFINITION AND FIRST PROPERTIES DEFINITION 1. The generalized deflection-stress pair ¥ with 5 = (w,a) defined on the middle surface Ey is: fi) associated x3) ox] as) REMARK. Other choices are possible; this one gives the simplest continuity conditions through a discontinuity section (see (13). THEOREM I. The generalized deflection-stress pair § = (i, @) associated with the exact solution of the reference 3D problem satisfies (in the distribution sense) ie We), a6) onit=—[f" pax +27] on Em an 5 ne oie FE ni +i Mo paxs =2xfarsf pax] mie a Proof. (17) is simply the “global” equilibrium equation (8) where f= f) xo04xs. ‘The proof of equation (18) is less easy. The starting point is expression (6), which gives ave de fasts] =0 and, therefore, diva [. To (i? — xaxs] - aff xa(ie - Sa ox] 0.119)a4 PLADEVEZE Using the constitutive elation, one als hes Ta N(h? — x2) aX [ ufgrad, (i? — X3) + (02 = X2)V JX I, hy and, consequently diva * rom(i? xan] = of f° w(? xan] Ly ‘ +f naivanxsaxs 20) Ls From os = G+ 2st idivnY), d= O+2)divm(V) + Aw), 20 ‘one calculates div,(V) in terms of a and 053 (+ 2w)a = hors an +) ‘To express the right-hand side of (20) in terms of s = (w, a), let us calculate: din WD 2) Using the equilibrium equation (7), one gets: foomxsars= [pS ax, oe - aff 2H - Baan] 3) Finally, using (19) and (20), one obtains first A "(qa XE = s(n? — x2 2a xs( - B)oans] =20.[f (ei xan] st fing WX A, as ‘Then, introducing (22) and (23) and using the generalized quan ‘obtains equation (18): EO S+ih= 5 Ani fi = paXs“THE EXACT THEORY OF PLATE BENDING 45 i, ft) is defined on By; these functions are fairly regular. For any discon- tinuity line Iq, Property 2 leads to the following continuity conditions i. onTn Consequently, a rather natural mathematical framework for is [H"(Z,)]? and the generalized load is assumed to belong (© L2(q). o 3.2. RELATION WITH SAINT-VENANT'S PRINCIPLE Saint-Venant’s unitary principle introduced in [23] is based on a condition of or thogonality to the family of solutions — which we call Saint-Venant’s solutions — describing the large-wavelength effects. Here, the proof is given using the family of Saint-Venant's solutions later described in Section 4. PROPERTY 3. Let = (iit) (respectively sy = (iy, fs)) be the generalized deflection-stess pair associated withthe reference solution (U, 0) (respectively an arbitrary Saint Venant's solution U..,x)) fora problem such that f, = E., = 0. These pairs satisfy the following identity Trg 65s Ston-U,, own UI = fi as{tiie( grad, fn ia (oma, an) — fi( grad, ise -)) + syle, 1) = i( grad, fie -n)J) Here, Brg = Pm X |Hh, hl is a section orthogonal to the mid-surface Ty; the intersection Tm is assumed to bea fairly regular closed curve. mis the unit outward normal to Er, Proof. The proof is given in Appendix B. BD THEOREM 2. Let 5 = (i, ji) (respectively sy = (Wy, fi) be the generalized deflection-stress pair associated with the reference solution (respectively an arbi- trary Saint-Venant's solution) for a problem such that f., = Fy = 0. Then, if Vm is being any closed curve of By, with a minimum of regularity, the orthogonality ‘condition Wy Ire F Sue) = 0 is equivalent 10 3 ~~ O.on she complete mid-surface Sy.46 PLADEVEZE Proof. Saint-Venant’s solution must satisfy only equations (16)-(18) associated With Sop = (ay. isn). Since the boundary values On Ty OF Bi. sys BAA, fy =. and grad, yy mare arbitrary, i Follows from a Yin Ingle) = 0 that on Pps grad, i-n= grad, in =0 only This property is also true for any curve I", homeomorphic of T. From (16) (18), it follows that § = (@, i) is zero over the part of the mid-surface bounded by Ty and I. With an appropriate choice of I, this part can span the entire mid-surface, except for some lines. Consequently one has H=0 onBp. o ‘THEOREM 3 (Extended Saint-Venant's principle). Forzeroloaddensities fF, Ey, the reference 3D solution is confined to the vicinity of the edge ¥:, (ie, it decays ‘exponentially with the distance from the edge, the characteristic length being the thickness 2h) ifthe generalized deflection-stress pair 3 = (i, Ai) defined on the ‘edge Eis zero on the boundary Cy of the mid-surface By. ie, G=M=0 ony. (25) Proof The proot is given in [23] it was partially derived with F Pecastaings. © To conclude this section, let us introduce the following, very useful definition: DEFINITION 2. A reference 3D solution is localized if its generalized deflection- sress pair is zero on the complete mid-surface Ey, fi =0 on Eq. REMARK. To define the generalized deflectionstess pair 3 = (i, ) completely from equations (15), boundary conditions on the edge Cy, of the mid-surface Ey are required. These conditions will be derived later from 25). 4, Saint-Venant’s Solutions for Arbitrary Load Densities Another basic element of the exact plate theory is what we call Saint-Venant’s solutions. These solutions describe the large-wavelength part of the reference 3D solution. They play a role similar to that of Saint-Venants classical solutions for beams“THE EXACT THEORY OF PLATE BENDING "7 the particular and basic case in which the load densities p 4.1. SAINT-VENANT’S SOLUTIONS FOR m-UNIFORM LOAD DENSITIES. DEFINITION 3. Saint-Venant’s solutions for m-uniform load densities are the displacement-stress pairs which are solutions fo the equations: Uew, dive +Np=0 onQ ced, on= PN on E*UE>, 26) o =KeW), en Uo: Xy-polynomials. (28) PROPERTY 4. A characteristic property of Saint-Venant’s solutions is I Za AV) =0 on Proof. Let p be any Xs-polynomial. From equation (6), one gets div(IVAIMON),, ~21Aq=0 on @ and, therefore, ~nayyHaqw=0 on, oy =0 for Xs = +h. 09) Lets consider y = 220 dX one has oat Mmy =O on 2, G0) 720 for Xy = ih The even Xy-function y is assumed to be a 2nd-degree polynomial in Xs, (30) leads to ey ae 0 for Xs th, OSk H, a9) WO) for X2 <0. ‘The limit case (H > 0) is defined by UP Ur = 5X2) wo Xs)N, (50) ro 8(Xa)ay(Xs)N 0 Figure 2 Ifnite plate witha transverse “erack“THE EXACT THEORY OF PLATE BENDING 33 where 8 is the Dirac distribution. Moreover, the generalized deflection-stress 5p associated with sy is assumed to be zero. Precisely, the problem (Pj) defining the equilibration of (49) is Find (U,0) € U™ x a Ut —U> = wo. on Er, = Pn x Ih, dive =0 on9® oN=0 on EtUE-, x) aN, 00 Erg, o = KeU) on OF, on Erg 61 U* is the space of finite-energy displacement fields which satisfy (51). The last equation was added to get a unique solution; itis compatible with what we eal a localized effect. This section is devoted to the proof that the solution to problem (Py) is localized in the vicinity ofthe discontinuity surface Zi, The first step (wich is easy) is to derive a variational formulation of problem (Py): Find Ue U3 which minimizes win Sf n{wewrews}an- fava urras (52) se oa vit ‘US =(U| Le UX; UF —U- = wo WN on Ey, }. We assume that the quantity ap (respectively ap) belongs to H'/7(-A, hl) (respectively H~!(\-h, nD); we have: PROPERTY 7. Problem (P),) has a unique solution belonging to US, Proof. With the scalar product f T[KeW)e(W)] 4a. oF WU) > UU) war ‘U* is a Hilbert space of which U3; isa closed subspacs The density of applied load ayn" is globally in equilibrium on B, because: ay isan even X-function: # fhyaoXsdXy =0 Since apn" is regular, field dy defined over a bounded domain and zero everywhere el form is possible (o equilibrate it by a finite-energy stress Thus, the linear uf w¥nt-utas= f Tr[éoewy]aa (53) ay be is continuous: therefore, classically. problem (P77) has one and only one solution. ©34 PLADEVEZE THEOREM 6. The solution sy = (w,a) of problem (Py) associated with the equilibrium of 5 = (wo, do) such that 3 = 0 satisfies Sy = 0 0n the complete ‘midl-surface. Moreover, this solution is confined to the vicinity of the discontinuity surface Eig Proof. Let.us consider AUS Uy Uy AO S00 Ow where (Uy,,011) designates the displacement-stress pair which is the solution of problem (Pj). (,,, 03) is Saint-Venant’s solution associated with the generalized Aeflection-stress pair § = (i, fi) corresponding to (Uy. 0). Its clear that the ‘generalized deflection-stress pair associated with AU is zero over the complete mid-surface; therefore, from Theorem 3, (AU, Aq) is confined to the vicinity of the discontinuity surface Zi... Then, the energy of Saint-Venant’s part of (U,. 04) is finite and one has: f T[keW,eW,)]02 = f [Uz,-o%n +US,-o5u-Jas. (54) From the continuity conditions across the discontinuity surface (property 2) rad, grad, i~ os) Consequnty sing Theorem 4 and property 5 Uh=Us, ofnt tora” =0, on Ere. (656) and using (54: J tke, oeW,]a2=0. bp ‘Then, he displacement J, i iid body displacement. Since * = 0 on F'n U,, is necessarily zero and AU=Uy, Ao on. Finally, we proved that the solution of problem (Py) is localized and confined to the vicinity of Er, o Al these properties remain valid for the solution to the limit problem (Py), H — 0. We ate ready to introduce the following definition: DEFINITION 4, The basic localized effect which equilibrates the residue so(X3)8(X2)N,, concentrated on the material normal at point Xy = Xz = 0 and such that 5 = 0 is expressed as follows: (an, Xs) = Lian, X3)s0(X9)Nyo where J isa linear operator which depends on the material and on the thickness.“THE EXACT THEORY OF PLATE BENDING 58 REMARKS. 1. Going back to Section 4.3 in the case of piecewise constant load. densities, we have Therefore sim, Xs) = —Lm, Xs\(sf = 5g) with —(6j — sp), = grad, sala 2, Operator L can be caiGulated easily by the finite element method using the fact thatthe solution is confined to the viinity of the material normal located at point Xy = X2 = 0, Another option isto use the analytical method derived in [34], based on extended Papkovitch functions (33) 6. ‘The Exact Bending Theory of Elastic Plates ‘The hypotheses are: = isotropic material: = constant thickness = homogeneous plat but the load densities p and P are arbitrary. 6.1. FUNDAMENTAL RESULT THEOREM 7. The displacement-stress pair s = (w,a) solution of the reference 3D elastic problem can be expressed in a unique way vn. X3) = son Xa) + f X3)dEw +5(0,%3). 6D) is where: © Sy Us Saint-Venant’s solution associated with the data and the generalized displacement-stress pair § = (i, H) corresponding 10 the reference 3D-sol- x3)" 3a a wv tan —[1-3(%2) Jug rmi toi. Aye = Hyer hilen) + a(t, Xa). © (m, Xs) + 5*(m ~m’, Xs) is a localized effect confined to the vicinity of the ‘material normal located at m on (59)56 PLADEVEZE where $4 = (wa,ag) and L is an operator which depends on the material ‘and on the thickness. This operator consists of a regular part plus Dirac distributions at the load discontinuities. (a1, Xs) > Slam, X3) ia localized effect confined tothe vicinity ofthe edge Ea. Proof, Let us introduce Saint-Venant’s solution associated with the generalized. displacement-stress pair § corresponding to the reference 3D solution Using (43), itis defined by S [: = (2) agen +m, n) \3ea Fm on Xs ay = SF + a The associated displacement-stress pair (U,,. 01) is given by formulas (31)~ (G4). Itdoes not satisfy the equations ofthe reference 3D elasticity problem exactly Let us frst consider the equilibrium equations; we have: Ma, = —ra, (J "en14Xs) x % anna —P- f on - Sle} 0X0} a Mogf = aol + 2p [Me ~ {Me IN. with lee) = dye Ay [wpe] = We = (62) MegM = MeV, JM ) ‘Apart from the edge boundary conditions, the residue corresponding 0 the ‘equilibrium conditions can be defined a ra = flow U3, — (div(Tlo,,) + pN)-U"]4a -f PN-UTdE WU" € Uy = (UP Ul UV" =00n E,} a (64) Let us observe that divMlo = grad, (2,4) ~ Ae / "asd dX (65) and, : Therefore, we get ro [uaa Un «9“THE EXACT THEORY OF PLATE BENDING 37 ‘The residue corresponding to the compatibility conditions can be written as toop = ff Tle 182 Va" © doo (o* | div ot € Lo"n =00n E*UE7}. Oneal tas Teomp = | T,[(Ew — &U,,))0*] dQ. [ot ] Using ¢,, and U.,. one obtains: Teg, — €(V,,)) (20 = 5 (Ways + 8, ) JA Instead of (€33, ~ ws./3) let us calculate: 1) grad, wa aie — AT [eU,,)] — 24th) pein = Ot 2s — Ad Vos fool * aglaldxs— [ padXs—P-G+2 ums 68) Ls 4 4 [ ox[aotwlt [Santa] No gradient of load density appears in z; therefore, z = 0. Finally, the residue corresponding to the satisfaction of the compatibility con- ditions is, tome = = f grad, wy To" N dQ. (6) Consequently, the deficiencies of Saint-Venant’s solution are characterized by the gradient of s,, which depends only on the load densities p and P and on the material. Let us point out that if s, is piecewise constant the gradient of s is a Dirac distribution located on the discontinuity lines. Moreover, sy is such that 0 It follows that these residues can be equilibrated by an infinite sum of localized effects: [Bem mixer, (70) with 4m — ml, X5) = Leon — mt, Xs) grad, Sa38 PLADEVEZE ‘The derivative has to be taken in the distribution sense, ‘The sum of Saint-Venant’s solution and the “distributed” localized effects, ie. set f *(m — m', Xs) AE, satisfies all the equations of the reference 3D problem except the edge boundary conditions. The corresponding residue is characterized by: = zero load densities on E*U E> and 2; = the fact that the associated generalized deflection-stress pair is zero on Ey. Saint-Venant’s principle applies (see Theorem 3); the correction is confined t0 the vicinity of the edge 5;,. This concludes the proof of Theorem 7. o 6.2. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE EXACT PLATE THEORY WITH PARTIALLY UNKNOWN EDGE CONDITIONS A very common practical situation is characterized by partially unknown edge boundary conditions. In such a case, the first step consists of solving the problem according to the exact plate 2D theory. 62.1. Calculation of the Generalized Displacement-Stress 3 We want to find the generalized displacement-stress 3 = (ji, ji) defined on the ‘mid-surface Ey and such that Fe [HF on En. boundary conditions on the edge Cx of the mid-surface Sy are satisfied. Here, we consider the situations where the edge conditions are relations be- tween ¥ and the gradient of § on the edge Cy, Two very classical eases are: = Clamped edge: grad,,@-n =0 on Cui 2) — Simply-supported edge: on m3)“THE EXACT THEORY OF PLATE BENDING 59 62.2. Calculation of Saint-Venant's 3D Solution ‘The displacement-stress pai 5,» = (Wy. dy) is determined by a [1 9%) Sic) 4 wytm, X3) LS) Jama ayn + melee XD. (ay 5X: Er yy = Siem) + ag, Xs), where sy = (024,44) is defined explicitly in terms ofthe data. Then, the complete displacement-stress pair (U.,,, 0.) is determined from formulas (31)-(34) in which the m-derivatives of sy are taken as zero 623. Caleulation ofthe Correction for Non-constant Load Densities ‘The associated displacement-stress pair f Lim ~ ml, Xs)gradsy dy This correction depends only on the load densities p and P, the material and the thickness. Its calculation requires the resolution, once and for all, of an auxiliary problem which yields the operator L and the associated operators which define the complete displacement-stress pair. We will see further on that this correction is, negligible if the m-wavelength is much larger than the thickness. 624. Calculation of the Edge Effect § This calculation is pointless because the real 3D edge conditions are unknown, 6.3, IMPLEMENTATION OF THE EXACT PLATE THEORY WITH KNOWN EDGE CONDITIONS, ‘This type of situation is becoming more and more common. In fact, a complete 3D ‘model of the connection is generally given (see Figure 3). For the sake of simplicity, let us consider that the plate’s load densities are m-uniform, ‘The plate and its connection can be viewed as two coupled substructures; the transmission conditions are written at the surface ©) which defines what we call the beginning of the interior zone in which the edge effects are negligible. ‘The domain & bounded by ¥; is calculated using the exact 2D plate theory. However, the calculation of what happens in substructure & requires a 3D model; this can be done using, for example, the finite element method. ‘The transmission conditions at 3) are: uu, So (7s)60, PLADEVEZE Ol) middle surface 2, Figure 2 Schematic description ofa plate anda connection. and voy rad, Fm = grad, Sy «me. 76) ‘These conditions form the basis of a consistent computational approach whose quality does not depend on the plate’s thickness, REMARK. In the very particular case where the 3D edge conditions are known, itis possible to simplify the previous computational approach. The exact 2D edge conditions are such that the generalized deflection-stress associated with the edge correction is zero on the edge of the mid-surface. This is a consequence of Saint- Venant’s principle. The first-order and second-order approximations of Saint ‘Venant’s principle introduced in {23] can be used to derive approximate 2D edge conditions. Let us also note that the second-order plate theory obtained by modi ing the Reissner-Mindlin plate theory is based on a similar Second-order approxi ‘mation of Saint-Venant’s principle for plates (21-24, 26] 7. Final Remarks and Comments 7.1. QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE DIFFERENT CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE REFERENCE 3D SOLUTION Let us assume that the edge conditions used to calculate the generalized detection siress pair ¥ are exact. It follows that ¥ coincides with the generalized deflection- stress associated with the reference 3D solution. Let L be the wavelength corre- sponding to the m-derivatives of # and the load densities p and P. From the equilibrium equations (17) and (18), one gets am )“THE EXACT THEORY OF PLATE BENDING 6 It follows that the deflection-stress s,. is: x w. vn 9) = By +0(F ), P 78) te) = [Siwy + 0( Fe) nae 9) = aL By P Furthermore, one gets: i Yay = Fh, + 0( Ther), To, = —| 22 pa, an + 2h? eS [at Sethe i) ‘Therefore, additional approximations can be made to Saint-Venant’s solution if h/L €1..Now, let us examine the correction X5)dEe, SH Xs) = Len (, Xa)grad which corresponds to non-uniform load densities p and P. One has (£<4en) <0( no) ey This term is also negligible if h/L « 1 REMARKS. 1. Since the reference 3D solution is defined explicitly in terms of the solution from the exact 2D plate theory, a further analysis can be cartied out, particularly for the cases where singularities occur. 2, The etror involved in the previous approximation is O(h?/L2), Therefore, this is a second-order approximation, 7.2. RELATION WITH THE CLASSICAL PLATE THEORY More information concerning the classical plate theory, ie, the Kirchhoff-Love theory, ean be found in [37, 32]02 PLADEVEZE Let us recall that in the interior of the plate, on first approximation (which is, in fact, a second-order approximation), one has - 2X3 wr, an ais wD The generalized deflection-stress pair § = (0, isthe solution of i, 7) € [HEF Ain Poe 00 Zn, Ewe I-¥ 3 ‘edge conditions on Cy. (82) Ai After eliminating deflection i ‘one gets (in the distribution sense) for the generalized We) (83) This equation is formally similar to that ofthe classical Kirchhoff-Love theory, ‘except that the deflection w is replaced by the generalized deflection and that there is a load modification which can be significant if discontinuities oecut, Then, the ‘moment is defined by’ He HE), ogy 5 axs avis 2, ais (84) ‘The continuity conditions across a discontinuity Tine for the exact plate theory 85) ‘These are not exactly the same as those of the classical plate theory. This point was taken into account in the first finite element implementation presented by Capsoni and Ladevaze“THE EXACT THEORY OF PLATE BENDING 6 8 Conclusion ‘Today, two types of models are used for plate connections: — the first expresses the edge boundary conditions in terms of the generalized deflection-sttess ¥5 = the second involves a complete 3D description, The former isthe simpler and more usual model. It is used for plate problems in which the analysis of stresses in the vicinity of the edge presents no interest. The fundamental theorem shows that the classical theory can, with slight modification: become the exact plate theory and, therefore, be applicable to all cases and, in particular, to fairly thick plates. More and more, refined 3D models of the plate connection are being used; in this case, the problem to be solved is a coupled problem between a 3D medium and a 2D medium, The fundamental theorem forms the basis of a rational approach to the numerical resolution of such a problem. The errors depend only on the quality of the meshes. This work can also be used as a theoretical tool. For example, it can provide an answer to the plate paradox described in [1]. Let us also note that the fundament theorem leads to a better understanding of why itis possible to build second-order versions of the Reisstet-Mindlin theory [21-24, 26] and of the Kirchhoft—Love theory [25]. These works are based on a second-order approximation of Saint \Venant’s principle for plates; they are quite general: the plates can be anisotropic and laminated, The theory has been presented in the case of an isotropic, homogeneous ma- terial, Its extension to laminated isotropie plates with variable thickness and (0 isotropic shells can be achieved by following the same ideas. However, except for transversely isotropic materials, its extension to anisotropic plates seems much. more difficult Appendix A. Construction of Saint-Venant’s Solution for m-Uniform Load Densities Actually, we are constructing a solution which follows Definition 3. The proof of the uniqueness of this solution is not given here because this property is not used. in this work. 1. Splining of the load densities. The load densities p and P are split in such a way that paptp P=P +P", (Aa) where (p', P’) is a particular loading such that: + 2P'4 Po dy ~ Puot PLADEVEZE © Lye pyh? = X3)dXy # p’isan even, m-uniform second-degree polynomial These will be defined completely further on 2, Saint-Venant’s solution associated with the load densities p, P”. One has. 2e"+ [ p'axy Let us take for the associated S: f p'(i? — x3) dxs =0. ay Venant’s solution 8" = (wh0G). aX), where the functions uj, a{j depend on the material, the thickness and the load densities p” and P” which are assumed to be m-uniform, Moreover, they must also satisy the condition =" = 0. Fist, let us express the compatibility conditions (35) which yield CHW ye pe pe t F ae 4p PEs, ¢ ay = —pr— [pray =- [ praxs Oe a8 TQ Jy a lo. bi (A3) Thus a= duly, +2 uly, f praXs, as Let us calculate 5” in order to prescribe 5” = 0: f a n-e"- “paxs]axs ahhh Ls =n i= f aX aX. Sie = tem 4h i f wil? — x2) aXs _ G+ ~ v2) f “(Xe E LAAs D"AXs, AS) x} ors Using (A.4), the condition i” = 0 can be (6) From (A.2), it tums out that ii” rewritten as: I, wi(h? — x2) aX, Gem opn f'(* . )@2-8) +R UL rem )(AE- Baw. an 0“THE EXACT THEORY OF PLATE BENDING 6s Finally, u/j is defined by the differential equation (A.4) and the condition (A.7). «is determined by the first equation of (A.4). 3. Saint-Venant's solution associated with the load densities p', P’. Letus assume that w= By + [! -3(8) Jann +m 2 W) | -ah a ey 3Xsiit 2H a= tai, where u/, and a, depend only on the load densities p', P’, on the material and on the thickness. They must satis = 0. We also assume that they are m-constant. First, a, « must satisfy two ses of equations: the compatibility conditions (35) and equations (16)-(18) which correspond to the associated generalized deflection- stress pair ‘These equations yield: dtu, de a8 oe a Re as) va G+ 2H) axle f Pana] Aer Lf vax +2] Ew, 4 Ogi 2 48 Ea) ay, ‘A.10) FOF Anil + SP a (Ao) 4T 5p i vesfars f° vox] From (AI), itis possible to rewrite (A.10) by replacing (p’, P') by (p, P): Equations (A.9) become Remy Aa Tem TEI 0 = Ways = Ha) Aye66, PLADEVEZE Here, | isa function only of the data: _ 2220 9, +08 mE - ee eee A.13) + meals 3 an) (A.12) and (A.13) give netpu;, <— [pars (8) 38)p, G+ 2am, == [vax ~5((F2) -392) Pa a -s. (Ald Tam! ae oy a tet AT % 1/(Xs PAX 15) - elf van eh((B) (ais) Moreover, 5 is prescribed equal to zero: fi aixiaxy=0, (A16) fila =1)yax,- 0 Cet (2 Bex =o. 4 E 3 (a7) Equations (A.15) and (A.16) define p’ and a’, completely. One has ft yea (2y- Lil GI FFB and, from (A.1): © Po! = pyih? = x2) 4x, + pTisan even, second-degree polynomial % Jao“THE EXACT THEORY OF PLATE BENDING 6 ‘This defines p'; we can satisfy that p’ is m-constant. Consequently, this is also true for P’ and (p”, P”). It follows that wis defined by the differential equation (A.14) and condition (A.17). After some calculations, ‘one gets formulas (40) and (41). Appendix B. Proof of a Remarkable Identity (Property 3) Let § = (i, fi) (respectively 5. = (Wyo ing)) be the generalized deflection- stress pair corresponding tothe reference solution (U0) (respectively an arbitrary Saint-Venant’s solution (U,,,)) for a problem in which f, = Fy = 0. One must calculate the quantity “ f asfon-U,, - In) ul}. en where Er, = Py x Jk, hl is a section orthogonal to the mid-surface. Their intersection Fy is assumed to be a fairly regular closed curve. Let us observe that the stress oor 0, can be written No MN = all + 2u(MeN — 7,[MeM]N). (B.2) Therefore n-Mlgfin = a~2ur- Met, - ~ (B.3) n-flof, = 2ut-Tlettn, with = WA Te folows hat tng= flowy aun t]as Hm f [et WAU.) but WA w]as $f (Wenn. —N-onnn)as. ws sc Letus examine the second term: mu ff [et WAV,)) — ent (MA ZO] AS. Bs) Ssimt-Venant’s solution is such that Yoo = gal 6 with go — = AP AX aL, + PX ye ANS)68 ‘Then, /> can be writen as te=-au fi [ets OL ngmd,on) ~ 2 amd, ot WAY En — in a If Pq is a closed curve; for V regular, one obtains 2 [oe (ead) + gr go ( oA), Ja, 7 MeN + LW, one gets mf eograd gy 14S. [, ogas Another integration by parts over Py yields nf nga Using Sin Ven tied slate, foams tra= [ [ote00, 0-8) - =m J oulgrader-s)as oi [ow on) yy + Bra, Figg From (Co N)js = ~[grad,,a + 2 grad, oN=0 forX;= +h, one gets Ing = [, [etext 2) + grad, jisy Xs + [, [-aagee V+ M-om(uye + 6/9) te} PLADEVEZE wes s) Jos: (B.7) (B38) B9) (B10) Bin (B12)“THE EXACT THEORY OF PLATE BENDING Cc) Introducing (+ 9m and * 6.13) Mod = nn (gad, + Vs) wwe find that the second term #f of Jr, can be written as [ [-m (grad, wn) woe grad ales (B14) Sc al It follows that Fr, can be expressed in terms of sand s,.. 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