Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Lecture 1: Introduction To Plate Bending Problems: X y y X
Lecture 1: Introduction To Plate Bending Problems: X y y X
6.1.1 Introduction
A plate is a planer structure with a very small thickness in comparison to the planer dimensions. The
forces applied on a plate are perpendicular to the plane of the plate. Therefore, plate resists the applied
load by means of bending in two directions and twisting moment. A plate theory takes advantage of this
disparity in length scale to reduce the full three-dimensional solid mechanics problem to a two-
dimensional problem. The aim of plate theory is to calculate the deformation and stresses in a plate
subjected to loads. A flat plate, like a straight beam carries lateral load by bending. The analyses of
plates are categorized into two types based on thickness to breadth ratio: thick plate and thin plate
analysis. If the thickness to width ratio of the plate is less than 0.1 and the maximum deflection is less
than one tenth of thickness, then the plate is classified as thin plate. The well known as Kirchhoff plate
theory is used for the analysis of such thin plates. On the other hand, Mindlin plate theory is used for
thick plate where the effect of shear deformation is included.
Classical thin plate theory is based upon assumptions initiated for beams by Bernoulli but first applied to
plates and shells by Love and Kirchhoff. This theory is known as Kirchhoffs plate theory. Basically,
three assumptions are used to reduce the equations of three dimensional theory of elasticity to two
dimensions.
1. The line normal to the neutral axis before bending remains straight after bending.
2. The normal stress in thickness direction is neglected. i.e., z = 0 . This assumption converts
the 3D problem into a 2D problem.
3. The transverse shearing strains are assumed to be zero. i.e., shear strains xz and yz will be
zero. Thus, thickness of the plate does not change during bending.
Et 3 2w 2w
My =
2 + 2 =DP ( y + x ) (6.1.9)
12 (1 2 ) y x
Et 3 2w D (1 )
M xy = M yx = = P xy
12 (1 + ) xy 2
Where, DP is known as flexural rigidity of the plate and is given by,
Et 3
DP = (6.1.10)
12 (1 2 )
Let consider the bending moments vary along the length and breadth of the plate as a function of x and
M x
y. Thus, if Mx acts on one side of the element, M='
Mx + dx acts on the opposite side. Considering
x
x
equilibrium of the plate element, the equations for forces can be obtained as
Qx Qy
+ +p= 0 (6.1.11)
x y
M x M xy
+ =
Qx (6.1.12)
x y
M xy M y
+ =
Qy (6.1.13)
x y
Using eq.6.1.9 in eqs.6.1.12 & 6.1.13, the following relations will be obtained.
2w 2w
Qx =
DP 2 + 2 (6.1.14)
x x y
2w 2w
Qy = DP 2 + 2 (6.1.15)
y x y
Using eqs. (6.1.14) and (6.1.15) in eq. (6.1.11) following relations will be obtained.
4w 4w 4w p
+ 2 + =
(6.1.16)
x 4
x y
2 2
y 4
DP
applicable for analysis of plates with smaller deformations, as higher order terms of strain-displacement
relationship cannot be neglected for large deformations. Moreover, as plate deflects its transverse
stiffness changes. Hence only for small deformations the transverse stiffness can be assumed to be
constant.
Contrary, ReissnerMindlin plate theory (Fig. 6.1.5) is applied for analysis of thick plates, where
the shear deformations are considered, rotation and lateral deflections are decoupled. It does not require
the cross-sections to be perpendicular to the axial forces after deformation. It basically depends on
following assumptions,
1. The deflections of the plate are small.
2. Normal to the plate mid-surface before deformation remains straight but is not necessarily
normal to it after deformation.
3. Stresses normal to the mid-surface are negligible.
Thus, according to Mindlin plate theory, the deformation parallel to the undeformed mid surface, u and
v, at a distance z from the centroidal axis are expressed by,
8
= (6.1.17)
v = z (6.1.18)
Where x and y are the rotations of the line normal to the neutral axis of the plate with respect to the x
and y axes respectively before deformation. The curvatures are expressed by
x = y (6.1.19)
x
y = x (6.1.20)
y
Similarly the twist for the plate is given by,
= xy y x (6.1.21)
y x
Using eqs.6.1.9-6.1.10, the bending stresses for the plate is given by
Mx 1 0 x
Et 3
My = 2
1 0 y (6.1.22)
M 12 (1 ) 1 xy
xy 0 0
2
Or
{M } = [ D ]{ } (6.1.23)
Here "" is the numerical correction factor used to characterize the restraint of cross section against
warping. If there is no warping i.e., the section is having complete restraint against warping then = 1
and if it is having no restraint against warping then = 2/3. The value of is usually taken to be 2/12 or
5/6. Now, the stress resultant can be combined as follows.
{M } [ D ] 0 { }
=
[ Ds ] { }
(6.1.30)
{Q} 0
Or,
1 0 0 0
3
12(12 ) 1 0 0 0
= 0 0
1
0 0 (6.1.31)
2
0 0 0
0
0 0 0 2(1+) 0
Or,
1 0 0 0
3 1 0
12(12 ) 0 0
1
= 0 0 2 0 0 (6.1.32)
0 0 0
0 +
0 0 0 2(1+) 0
+
The above relation may be compared with usual stress-strain relation. Thus, the stress resultants and
their corresponding curvature and shear deformations may be considered analogous to stresses and
strains.
Similar to the above, the boundary conditions along x direction can also be obtained. Once the
displacements w(x,y) of the plate at various positions are found, the strains, stresses and moments
developed in the plate can be determined by using corresponding equations.
11
As nine displacement degrees of freedom present in the element, we need a polynomial with nine
independent terms for defining, w(x,y) . The displacement function is obtained from Pascals triangle by
choosing terms from lower order polynomials and gradually moving towards next higher order and so
on.
1
x y
x2 xy y2
x3 x2y xy2 y3
Thus, considering Pascal triangle, and in order to maintain geometric isotropy, we may consider the
displacement model in terms of the complete cubic polynomial as,
w ( x, y ) = 0 + 1 x + 2 y + 3 x 2 + 4 xy + 5 y 2 + 6 x 3 + 7 ( x 2 y + xy 2 ) + 8 y 3 (6.2.1)
12
2w
=2 3 + 6 6 x + 2 7 y
x 2
2w
=2 5 + 2 7 x + 6 8 y
y 2 (6.2.8)
w
2
4 2 7 ( x + y )
=+
xy
(6.2.10)
Further for isotropic material,
Mx 1 0 x
Et 3
My = 2
1 0 y (6.2.11)
M 12 (1 ) 1 xy
xy 0 0
2
Or
{M } [=
D ]{ } [ D ][ B ][ ] {d }
1
= (6.2.12)
Now the strain energy stored due to bending is
1 1
= 2 0 0 [] {} = 2 0 0 {} [ 1 ] [] [][][ 1 ]{} (6.2.13)
Hence the force vector is written as
{} =
{}
= [ 1 ] 0 0 [] [][] [ 1 ]{} = []{} (6.2.14)
Thus, [k] is the stiffness matrix of the plate element and is given by
14
[] = [ 1 ] 0 0 [] [][] [ 1 ] (6.2.15)
For a triangular plate element with orientation as shown in Fig. 6.2.2, the stiffness matrix defined in
local coordinate system [k] can be transformed into global coordinate system.
[] = [] [ ] [] (6.2.16)
Where, [K] is the elemental stiffness matrix in global coordinate system and [T] is the transformation
matrix given by
1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 l m 0 0 0 0 0 0
x x
0 l y my 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
[T ] = 0 0 0 0 lx mx 0 0 0 (6.2.17)
0 0 0 0 l y my 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 l x mx
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 l m
y y
Here, (lx , mx) and (ly, my) are the direction cosines for the lines OX and OY respectively as shown in Fig.
6.2.2.
Considering Pascal triangle, and in order to maintain geometric isotropy the following displacement
function is chosen for finite element formulation.
w(x, y) 0 1x 2 y 3 x 2 4 xy 5 y 2 6 x 3 7 x 2 y
(6.2.18)
8 xy 2 9 y3 10 x 3 y 11xy3
Hence Corresponding values for , are,
w
x 2 4 x 2 5 y 7 x 2 2 8 xy 3 9 y 2 10 x 3 311xy 2 (6.2.19)
y
w
y 1 2 3 x 4 y 3 6 x 2 2 7 xy 8 y 2 310 x 2 y 11y3 (6.2.20)
x
The above can be expressed in matrix form
3
0
w 1 x y x 2 2 3 2 2 3 3
xy y x x y xy y x y xy
0 0 1 0 x 2y 0 x2 2xy 3y 2 x3 3xy 2 1
x
y 0 1 0 2x y 0 3x 2 2xy y 2 0 3x 2 y y3
11
(6.2.21)
In a similar procedure to three node plate bending element the values of {} can be found from the
following relatios.
16
w1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
x1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
y1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
w 2 1 0 b 0 0 b2 0 0 0 b3 0 0 3
0
0 1 0 0 2b 0 0 0 3b 2 0 0 4
x 2
y2 0 1 0 0 b 0 0 0 b 2 0 0 b3 5
w 3 1 a b a2 ab b 2 a3 a 2 b ab 2 b3 a 3b ab3 6
x3 0 0 1 0 a 2b 0 a2 2ab 3b 2 a3 3ab3 7
0
y3 1 0 2a b 0 3a 2 2ab b 2 0 3a 2 b b3 8
w 4 1 a 0 a2 0 0 a3 0 0 0 0 0 9
x 4 0 0 1 0 a 0 0 a2 0 0 a3 0 10
y4 0 1 0 2a 0 0 3a 2 0 0 0 0 0 11
(6.2.22)
Thus,
{ } = [ ] {d }
1
(6.2.23)
Further,
2
2
2
= 2 (6.2.24)
2
2
Where,
2w
2 3 6 6 x 2 7 y 610 xy
x 2
2w (6.2.25)
2 5 2 8 x 6 9 y 611xy
y 2
2w
4 2 7 x 2 8 y 310 x 2 311y 2
xy
Thus, putting values of eq. (6.2.25) in eq. (6.2.24), the following relation is obtained.
0
0 0 0 2 0 0 6x 2y 6xy
x
0 0 0
y 0 0 0 0 0 2 2x 6y 6xy
1 (6.2.26)
0 0 0
0 0 0 0 2 0 4y 6y 2
2
xy 0 4x 0 6x
11
Or,
B -1 d (6.2.27)
17
Further in a similar method to triangular plate bending element we can estimate the stiffness matrix for
rectangular plate bending element as,
Mx 1 0 x
Et 3
My = 2
1 0 y (6.2.28)
M 12 (1 ) 1 xy
xy 0 0
2
Or
{M } [=
D ]{ } [ D ][ B ][ ] {d }
1
= (6.2.29)
The bending strain energy stored is
1 1
= 2 0 0 [] {} = 2 0 0 {} [ 1 ] [] [][][ 1 ]{} (6.2.30)
Hence, the force vector will become
{} =
{}
= [ 1 ] 0 0 [] [][] [ 1 ]{} = []{} (6.2.31)
Where, [k] is the stiffness matrix given by
[] = [ 1 ] 0 0 [] [][] [ 1 ] (6.2.30)
The stiffness matrix can be evaluated from the above expression. However, the stiffness matrix also can
be formulated in terms of natural coordinate system using interpolation functions. In such case, the
numerical integration needs to be carried out using Gauss Quadrature rule. Thus, after finding nodal
displacement, the stresses will be obtained at the Gauss points which need to extrapolate to their
corresponding nodes of the elements. By the use of stress smoothening technique, the various nodal
stresses in the plate structure can be determined.
18
6.3.1 Introduction
Finite element formulation of the thick plate will be similar to that of thin plate. The difference will be
the additional inclusion of energy due to shear deformation. Therefore, the moment curvature relation
derived in first lecture of this module for thick plate theory will be the basis of finite element
formulation. The relation is rewritten in the below for easy reference to follow the finite element
implementation.
1 0 0 0
3
12(12 ) 1 0 0 0
= 0 0 2
1
0 0 (6.3.1)
0 0 0
0
0 0 0 2(1+) 0
Or,
{M } [ D ] [ 0] { }
= (6.3.2)
{Q} [ 0] [ Ds ] { }
The above relation is comparable to stress-strain relations.
{ }P = [C ]P { }P (6.3.3)
Where,
{} = = []{ } (6.3.4)
Where [B] is the strain displacement matrix and {di} is the nodal displacement vector. Thus, combining
eqs. (6.3.3) and (6.3.4), the following expression is obtained.
{ }P = [C ]P [ B ]{di } (6.3.5)
Where, the shape function for the four node element is expressed as,
1
N i =(1 + i )(1 + i ) (6.3.7)
4
Here, i and i are the local coordinates and of the ith node. Using eq. (6.3.6), eq. (6.3.4) can be
rewritten as
4
N i
x = yi
i =1 x
4
N i
=
y
i =1
xi
y
N i 4 4
N i
= xy yi
=i 1 =
xi
y i 1 x
(6.3.8)
N4 4
=x i
i
x
=i 1 =i 1
w
+ yi N i
4
N 4
= y wi i + xi N i
=i 1 = y i 1
The above can be expressed in matrix form as follows:
N i
0 0
x
N i
x 0 0
y
y N N i
{ }P =
= xy 0 i {d } (6.3.9)
x y i
x N i
y 0 Ni
x
N i Ni 0
y
Here, for a four node quadrilateral element, the nodal displacement vector {di} will become
{ } = 1 , 1 , 1 , 2 , 2 , 2 , 3 , 3 , 3 , 4 , 4 , 4 (6.3.10)
Thus, the strain-displacement relationship matrix will be
20
N1 N 2 N 3 N 4
0 0
x
0 0
x
0 0
x
0 0
x
0 N1 N 2 N 3 N 4
0 0 0 0 0 0 0
y y y y
0 N N1 N N 2 N N 3 N N 4
[ B] = 1
x y
0 2
x y
0 3
x y
0 4
x y
N1 N 2 N 3 N 4
x 0 N1 0 N2 0 N3 0 N4
x x x
N1 N1 0
N 2
N2 0
N 3
N3 0
N 4
N4 0
y y y y
(6.3.11)
Or,
[ B ] = [ B1 ](53) [ B2 ](53) [ B3 ](53) [ B4 ](53) (6.3.12)
Or,
[C ]P [ B ] = [CP B1 ](53) [CP B2 ](53) [CP B3 ](53) [CP B4 ](53) (6.3.14)
t 2 N i t 2 N i
0 1 y 1 x
t 2 N i t N i
2
0 1 x 1 y
Et t 2 N i t 2 N i
[CBi ] =
(6.3.15)
12 (1 + ) 0 2 x 2 y
N i
6 x
6 N i
0
N i
6
y 6 N i 0
The bending and shear terms form above equation are separated and written as
21
t 2 N t 2 N i
i
1 y 1 x 0 0 0
0
0
0
t 2 N i t N i 0
2
0 0
Et 0 1 x 1 y 0
CBi 6 N
121 2
t 2
N i
t N x Ni
i
i
0
0
2 x
2 y
N i
0 0 0 y N i 0
0 0 0
(6.3.16)
The above expression can be written in compact form as
CBi = CBi b + CBi s (6.3.17)
Here, the contributions of bending and shear terms to stress displacement matrix is denoted as [CBi]b and
[CBi]s respectively. Generally, the contribution due to bending, [CBi]b in eq. (6.3.17) is evaluated
considering 22 Gauss points where as the shear contribution [CBi]s is evaluated considering 11 Gauss
point.
Using value of [C]P form eq. 6.3.1 and [Bi] from 6.3.11, the product of B Cp Bis evaluated as
T
22
N i N i
0 0 0
x y
N i N i
k B C B 0
T
0 N i
p y x
N N i
i 0 Ni 0
x y
i1,2,3,4
N i
0 0
x
0 0 N
1 0 0 i 0
Et 3
0 0 y
2 1 0
l 1 0 0 N N i
1
0 i
0 x y
0
2
N
0 0 0 Et 1 0 i 0 Ni
x
0 0 0 21 0 1
N i N 0
y i
i1,2,3,4
Or in short, (6.2.20)
k k12 k13 k14
11
k k 22 k 23 k 24
k BT C B 21 (6.2.21)
p k 32 k 33 k 34
k 33
k k 42 k 43 k 44
41
Where,
N i N i N i N i N i N i
6 6 Nj 6 Nj
x x y y y y
t 2 N N j t N N j
2
i i
N i 1 y y 1 y x
k ij Et
121 6N i
y t 2 N N
t 2 N N
j
i j
6N i N j i
2 x x 2 x y
t 2 N N j t 2 N N j
i i
N i 1 x y 1 x x
6N i
x t 2 N N t 2 N N
j
i i
j
2 y x 2 y y
23
(6.3.22)
By separating the bending and shear terms from above equation,
0
0 0
t N N j t N N j
t N i N j t N i N j
2 2 2 2
k ij Et i i
1 1 2 0 1 y y 2 x x
1 y x 2 x y
t N N j t N N j t 2 N N j t 2 N N j
2 2
i i i i
0 1 x y 2 y x 1 x x 2 y y
N N N i N i N N i
i i
i Nj Nj
x x y y y x
6 0
N i
Ni Ni N j
y
N i
N 0 N N
x
j i j
(6.3.23)
Thus, the matrix k can now be written as the sum of bending and shear contributions
k k k
b s (6.2.24)
Or,
k k12 k13 k14 k11 k12 k13 k14
11 b b b b s s s s
k 21 k 22 k 23 k 24 k 21 k 22 k 23 k 24
k b b b b s
s s s (6.2.25)
k
33 b k 32 k 33 k 34 k 33 k 32 k 33 k 34
b b b s s s s
k
41 b k 42 k 43 k 44 k 41 k 42 k 43 k 44
b b b s s s s
The stiffness matrix k can be evaluated from the following expression by substituting
k for BT C B in eq. (6.3.19) and is given as
p
1 1
k 1
1 k J d d (6.2.26)
Here, J is the determinate of the Jacobian matrix. The Gauss Quadrature integration rule is used to
compute the stiffness matrix [k].
Fx q 1 1 q
Qi = M x Nd 0 d A N i 0 J d (6.3.27)
A i
M x 0 -1 -1
0
Using Gauss Quadrature integration rule the above expression can be evaluated as,
N i
Q = q wi w j J 0
n n
(6.3.28)
0 i=1,2,3,4
i=1 i=1
The nodal load vectors from each element are assembled to find the global load vector at all the nodes.
25
6.4.1 Introduction
Skew plates often find its application in civil, aerospace, naval, mechanical engineering structures.
Particularly in civil engineering fields they are mostly used in construction of bridges for dealing
complex alignment requirements. Analytical solutions are available for few simple problems. However,
several alternatives are also available for analyzing such complex problems by finite element methods.
Commonly used three discretization methods for skew plates are shown in Fig 6.4.1.
If the skew plate is discretized using only rectangular plate elements, the area of continuum excluded
from the finite element model may be adequate to provide incorrect results. Another method is to use
combination of rectangular and triangular elements. However, such analysis will be complex and it may
not provide best solution in terms of accuracy as, different order of polynomials is used to represent the
field variables for different types of elements. Another alternative exist using skew element in place of
rectangular element.
It is important to note that the terms (, ) in the above equations represent the absolute coordinate of the
point P in skew coordinate system, not the natural coordinates. Since the above element has four
corner nodes and each node have three degrees of freedom present, a polynomial with minimum 12
independent terms are necessary for defining the displacement function w(x,y). Considering Pascal
triangle, and in order to maintain geometric isotropy, the displacement function may be considered as
follows:
w 0 1 2 3 2 4 5 2 63 7 2
(6.4.3)
82 + 93 103 113
Hence corresponding values for , are,
w
2 4 2 5 7 2 2 8 3 9 2 103 311 2 (6.4.4)
w
1 2 3 4 3 6 2 2 7 8 2 310 2 113 (6.4.5)
Or, in matrix form,
w 1 2 2
3 2 2 3 3 3 0
0 0 1 0 2 0 2 3
2 2
3 3 2 1
0 1 0 2 0 3 2 2 2 0 3 2 3
11
(6.4.6)
Or,
28
{d } = [ ]{ } (6.4.7)
The value of [] can be determined using value of , , at four nodes as
w1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0
x1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
0
y1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
0
w 2 1 0 b 0 0 b2 0 0 0 b3 0 0 3
0
0 1 0 0 2b 0 0 0 3b 2 0 0 4
x 2
y2 0 1 0 0 b 0 0 0 b 2 0 0 b3 5
w 3 1 a b a2 ab b 2 a3 a 2 b ab 2 b3 a 3b ab3 6
x3 0 0 1 0 a 2b 0 a2 2ab 3b 2 a3 3ab3 7
0
y3 1 0 2a b 0 3a 2 2ab b 2 0 3a 2 b b3 8
w 4 1 a 0 a2 0 0 a3 0 0 0 0 0 9
x 4 0 0 1 0 a 0 0 a2 0 0 a3 0 10
y4 0 1 0 2a 0 0 3a 2 0 0 0 0 0 11
(6.4.8)
Or,
{ } = [ ] {di }
1
(6.4.9)
Further, considering eq. (6.4.2)
0, cos ec
x y
(6.4.10)
1, cot
x y
Again,
2
2
2
= 2 (6.4.11)
22
The values in right hand side of the eq. (6.4.11) can be calculated by using chain rule as,
w w w w
. (6.4.12)
x x x
Therefore,
2w 2w
2 (6.4.13)
x 2
29
Similarly,
w w w w w
cos cosec
y y y
Thus, further derivation provides
2w 2 w
2
2w 2w
cosec 2 cot 2 2cos cosec
2
(6.4.14)
y 2
And,
2w w 2w 2w
cot 2 cosec
2
xy x y
(6.4.15)
Hence eq. (6.4.11) is converted to
2 w 2 w
2 2
x 1
2 w 0 0
2 w
cot 2 cosec 2 -cotcosec
2
(6.4.16)
y 2
2 -2cot 0 cosec 2 2
2 w 2 w
xy
Or,
x,y H , (6.4.17)
Further, by partial differentiation of eq. (6.4.3),
2w
2 3 6 6 2 7 610
2
2w
2 2 5 2 8 6 9 611 (6.4.18)
2w
2 4 7 4 8 610 2 6112
Or, in matrix form,
30
2 w
2
0 0 0 2 0 0 6 2 0 0 6 0 0
2 w
2
0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 6 0 6
2 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 4 6 2 11
62
0 0
2 w
(6.4.19)
Or,
, B B1 di
Or,
x,y H B1 di (6.4.20)
Again,
M x,y D x,y (6.4.21)
Where [D] for plane stress condition is
1 0
Eh 3
D 1 0 (6.4.22)
l21 2
1
0 0
2
Using eq. (6.4.20) in eq. (6.4.21),
M x,y D H B A1 d (6.4.23)
The expression for bending strain energy stored,
a b
0 0
Where,
31
x y
x, y 1 0
J
x
sin (6.4.26)
, y cos sin
k sin 1 B, H D H B, dd 1
T T T
0 0
(6.4.28)
Thus, the element stiffness matrix of a skew element for plate bending analysis can be evaluated from
the above expression using Gauss Quadrature numerical integration.
32
6.5.1 Introduction
The finite strip method (FSM) was first developed by Y. K. Cheung in 1968. This is an efficient tool for
analyzing structures with regular geometric platform and simple boundary conditions. If the structure is
regular, the whole structure can be idealized as an assembly of 2D strips or 3D prisms. Thus the
geometry of the structure needs to be constant along one or two coordinate directions so that the width
of the strips or the cross-section of the prisms does not change. Therefore, the finite strip method can
reduce three and two-dimensional problems to two and one-dimensional problems respectively. The
major advantages of this method are (i) reduction of computation time, (ii) small amount of input (iii)
easy to develop the computer code etc. However, this method will not be suitable for irregular geometry,
material properties and boundary conditions.
The strips are assumed to be connected to each other along a discreet number of nodal lines that coincide
with the longitudinal boundaries of the strip. The general form of the displacement function in two
dimensions for a typical strip is given by
= (, ) = =1 () () (6.5.1)
Here, the functions m(y) are polynomials and the functions Xm(x) are trigonometric terms that satisfy the
end conditions in the x direction. The functions Xm(x) can be taken as basic functions (mode shapes) of
the beam vibration equation.
33
4 4
4
4 = 0 (6.5.2)
Here L is the length of beam strip and is a parameter related to material, frequency and geometric
properties. The general solution of the above equation will become
() = 1 sin
+ 2 cos
+ 3 sinh
+ 4 cosh
(6.5.3)
Four conditions at the boundaries are necessary to determine the coefficients C1 to C4 in the above
expression.
2m +1 - sinh sin
Where m = 4.73,7.8532,10.996........ and m = m m
2 - cosh cos m m
(c) One end simply supported, other end fixed
(i) At simply supported end (say at x =0) displacement and moment will be zero: x 0 = x" 0 = 0
(ii) At fixed end (say at x =L) displacement and slope will be zero: x L = x' L = 0
Thus, the solution of eq. (6.5.3) will become
m x
h -
X m x =sinsin m x (6.5.9)
l m l
4m 1 sinm
where, m 3.9266,7.0685,10.2102....... and m =
4 sinhm
(d) Both end free
If both the end of the strip element is free, the following boundary conditions will be assumed:
(i) At one end (say at x =0) moment and shear will become zero: x" 0 = x"' 0 = 0
(ii) At other end (at x =L) moment and shear will become zero: x" L = x'" L = 0
Thus, for the above end conditions, eq. (6.5.3) yields to the following:
2x
X 1 = 1, =1 0 & X =2 1 - , =2 1
L
(6.5.10)
x x m x m x
X m x = sin m + - m
cossin h +m cosh
l l l l
sinm - sin hm 2m - 3
Where, m = and m = 4.73,7.8532, 10.996....... , for m = 3,4 ,- - -
cosm - coshm 2
The formulation of the finite strip method is similar to that of the finite element method. For example,
for a strip subjected to bending, the moment curvature relation will become
2
2
1 0 2
= 1 0 2
(6.5.15)
0 0 2 2
2
Where Mx , My and Mxy are moments per unit length and [D] is the elasticity matrix. From eq. (6.5.7)
the following expressions are evaluated to incorporate in the above equation.
2 2
2 =
=1 ()
2
2 =
=1 (22 + 63 )
(6.5.16)
2
2 = 2
=1 2(1 + 22 + 33 )
The above expression is written in matrix form in the below
2
2
2 () 2
2 = (22 + 63 ) (6.5.17)
2
2
2(1 + 22 + 33 )
2
Here, is denoted as N. Rearranging the above expression, one can find the following.
2
2
2 sin 0 0 () 2
2 = 0 sin 0 (22 + 63 )
2 0 0 cos 2(1 + 22 + 33 )
2
2
0
sin 0 0 2 2 22 23
= 0 sin 0 0 0 2 6 1 (6.5.18)
2
0 0 cos 0 2 4 6 2 3
Thus, in short, the curvature and moment equation will become
{} = [()][()]{} = [()][()][]1 {} (6.5.19)
{} = []{} = [][()][()][] {} 1
(6.5.20)
Now, the strain energy for the bending element can be written similar to plate bending formulation.
1 1
= {} {} = {} [1 ] [()] [()] [][()][()][]1 {}
2 2
0 0 0 0
(6.5.21)
Thus the force vector can be derived as
36
{} =
{}
= 0 0 [1 ] [()] [()] [][()][()][]1 {} = []{}
(6.5.22)
Thus, the stiffness matrix of a strip element can be obtained from the following expression.
[] = 0 0 [1 ] [()] [()] [][()][()][]1
= [1 ] 0 0 [()] [()] [][()][()] []1 (6.5.23)
The stiffness matrix [k] can be simplified by integrating the term0 [()] [][()] as follows.
0 [()] [][()]
sin 0 0 1 0 sin 0 0
= 0
0 sin 0 1 0 0 sin 0
0 0 cos 0 0 2 0 0 cos
sin 1 sin 0 sin 0 0
= 0 1 sin sin 0 0 sin 0
0 0 2 cos 0 0 cos
sin2
1 sin2 0
2 2
= 0 1 sin
sin 0 (6.5.24)
2
0 0 2 cos
Here, the terms Dx, Dy and Dxy are constant and not varied with x or y. Following integrations are carried
out to simplify the above expression further.
12 1 2 1 2
Now 0 2 = 0 2
= 2 2
= 2 2
0
1 2 1
Putting, =
finally 0 2 will become 2
= 2
2
1+2 1 2 1
Similarly; 0 2 = 0 2
= 2 + 2
=2
0
Thus,
1 0
0 [()] [][()] = 2 1 0 =
2
[] (6.5.25)
0 0 2
Using eq. (6.5.25), the expression for stiffness matrix [k] in eq. (6.5.23) is simplified as follows.
[] = [1 ] 0 [()] [][()] [1 ]
2
2
0 0
2 1 0 2 2 22 23
0 2
= 2 [1 ] 0 2 2 1 0 0 0 2 6 []1
2 4
0 0 2 0 2 4 6 2
2 3 6 6 2
37
2 2 1 0
2 2
2 2 1 4 22 23
= [1 ] 2 2 0 0 2 6 []1
2 21 2 2 1 2 8
2 3 0 2 4 6 2
61 2 3 1 6 12 2
( 4 ) ( 4 ) ( 4 2 2 2 1 ) ( 4 3 6 2 1 )
( 4 ) 4 2 + 8 2 4 3 2 2 1 + 16 2 4 4 6 2 2 1 + 24 2 2
4 4 4 2 2 1 4 5 21 2 3 6 2 3 1
= [1 ] +4 + 32 2 2
12 + 48 2 3
[]
1
2 ( 4 2
2 2
) 4 3 2 2 1 + 8 2
0 1 4 5
6 1 2 3 4 6
6 1 2 4
( 4 3 6 2 1 ) 4 4 6 2 2 1 + 24 2 2 2 3 2 4 2
2 1 + 12 6 1 + 36
2 3 2 4
+48 +72
(6.5.26)
Thus, by putting the assumed shape function, the stiffness matrix of a strip element can be evaluated
numerically using Gaussian Quadrature or other numerical integration methods.
38
6.6.1 Introduction
A shell is a curved surface, which by virtue of their shape can withstand both membrane and bending
forces. A shell structure can take higher loads if, membrane stresses are predominant, which is primarily
caused due to in-plane forces (plane stress condition). However, localized bending stresses will appear
near load concentrations or geometric discontinuities. The shells are analogous to cable or arch structure
depending on whether the shell resists tensile or, compressive stresses respectively. Few advantages
using shell elements are given below.
1. Higher load carrying capacity
2. Lesser thickness and hence lesser dead load
3. Lesser support requirement
4. Larger useful space
5. Higher aesthetic value.
The example of shell structures includes large-span roof, cooling towers, piping system, pressure vessel,
aircraft fuselage, rockets, water tank, arch dams, and many more. Even in the field of biomechanics,
shell elements are used for analysis of skull, Crustaceans shape, red blood cells, etc.
Depending upon deflection in transverse direction due to transverse shear force per unit length, the shell
can be classified into structurally thin or thick shell. Further, depending upon the thickness of the shell
in comparison to the radii of curvature of the mid surface, the shell is referred to as geometrically thin or
thick shell. Typically, if thickness to radii of curvature is less than 0.05, then the shell can be assumed as
a thin shell. For most of the engineering application the thickness of shell remains within 0.001 to 0.05
and treated as thin shell.
This approach has the advantage of being independent of any particular shell theory. This approach can
be used to formulate a general shell element for geometric and material nonlinear analysis. Such element
has been employed very successfully when used with 9 or, in particular, 16 nodes. However, the 16-
node element is quite expensive in computation. In a degenerated shell model, the numbers of unknowns
present are five per node (three mid-surface displacements and two director rotations). Moderately thick
shells can be analysed using such elements. However, selective and reduced integration techniques are
necessary to use due to shear locking effects in case of thin shells. The assumptions for degenerated
shell are similar to the Reissner-Mindlin assumptions.
x
xi
V
8
i
y N xh
, i
y V3i
(6.6.3)
i 1
2
z
zi
Where,
xi x xi xi xi
1 i
yi yi yi and, V3i yi yi (6.6.4)
2
zi
zi
top
zi
bottom
zi
top
zi bottom
For small thickness, the vector V3i can be represented as a unit vector tiv3i:
x xi
y
8
V
, yi ti v3i
N i xh (6.6.5)
i 1
2
z
zi
th
Where, ti is the thickness of shell at i node. In a similar way, the displacement at any point of the shell
element can be expressed in terms of three displacements and two rotation components about two
orthogonal directions normal to nodal load vector V3i as,
u ui
8
Vti ai
v N i xh
, vi v1i v2i (6.6.6)
i 1
2 b
i
w
wi
Where, ( , ) are the rotations of two unit vectors v1i & v2i about two orthogonal directions normal to
nodal load vector V3i.The values of v1i and v2i can be calculated in following way:
The coordinate vector of the point to which a normal direction is to be constructed may be defined as
x xi yj zk (6.6.7)
43
In which, i, j , k are three (orthogonal) base vectors. Then, V1i is the cross product of i & V3i as shown
below.
V1i iV3i & V2i V3i V1i (6.6.8)
and,
V1i & v2i V2i
v1i (6.6.9)
V1i V2i
u v w
N i
N
N
V i
V i
xxx
xx
x
b1 a1
T T
u v w N N i t v N i
i ui vi wi i 2i V
8 8 8
tv
b 2 i 1i V a
hhhhh
2
i 1 2 h
2
i1 i 1
u v w
0
N b 3 i
N
a3 i
i
i
V V V
(6.6.14)
It may be important to note that the constitutive relation expressed in eq. (6.6.19) is same as for the case
of plane stress formulation. Also, eq. (6.6.20) with a multiplication of thickness h is similar to the terms
corresponds to shear force in case of plate bending problem.