Journal of Mechanical Engineering Research Vol. 4(4), pp.

148-162, April 2012

Available online at http://www.academicjournals.org/jmer
DOI: 10.5897/JMER11.088
ISSN 2141 - 2383 © 2012 Academic Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Static analysis of an isotropic rectangular plate using

finite element analysis (FEA)
Vanam B. C. L.1*, Rajyalakshmi M.1 and Inala R.2
1
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sir CRR College of Engineering, Eluru, Andhra Pradesh-534007, India.
2
Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology -Rourkela, Odissa-769008, India.
Accepted 16 January, 2012

This research work aims to analyze the static analysis of an isotropic rectangular plate with various
boundary conditions and various types of load applications. In this paper, finite element analysis has
been carried out for an isotropic rectangular plate by considering the master element as a four noded
quadrilateral element. Numerical analysis (finite element analysis, FEA) has been carried out by
developing programming in mathematical software MATLAB and the results obtained from MATLAB are
giving good agreement with the results obtained by classical method - exact solutions. Later, for the
same structure, analysis has been carried out using finite element analysis software ANSYS. This job is
helpful for obtaining the results not only at node points but also the entire surface of the rectangular
plate. Finally, comparison has been done between the results obtained from FEA numerical analysis,
and ANSYS results with classical method - exact solutions. Numerical results showed that, the results
obtained by finite element analysis and ANSYS simulation results are in close agreement with the
results obtained from exact solutions from classical method. During this analysis, the optimal thickness
of the plate has been obtained when the plate is subjected to different loading and boundary
conditions.

Key words: Finite element analysis (FEA), isotropic rectangular plate, ANSYS, static analysis.

INTRODUCTION

Finite element analysis (FEA) is a powerful computational
technique used for solving engineering problems having
complex geometries that are subjected to general
boundary conditions. While the analysis is being carried
out, the field variables are varied from point to point, thus,
possessing an infinite number of solutions in the domain.
So, the problem is quite complex. To overcome this
difficulty FEA is used; the system is discretized into a
finite number of parts known as elements by expressing
the unknown field variable in terms of the assumed
approximating functions within each element. For each
element, systematic approximate solution is constructed
by applying the variational or weighted residual methods.
These functions (also called interpolation functions) are,
*Corresponding author. E-mail: mechant.journals@gmail.com
included in terms of field variables at specific points
referred to as nodes. Nodes are usually located along the
element boundaries, and they connect adjacent
elements. Because of its flexibility in ability to discretize
the irregular domains with finite elements, this method
has been used as a practical analysis tool for solving
problems in various engineering disciplines.
FEA is used in new product design, and existing
product refinement. Because of its characteristics,
researchers are able to verify a proposed design to the
user’s specifications before manufacturing or
construction. In case of structural failure, FEA may be
used to determine the design modifications to meet the
required conditions. Structural analysis consists of linear
and non-linear models. Linear models consider simple
parameters and assume that the material is not plastically
deformed. Non-linear models consider that the structure
is pre-stressed and is plastically deformed. Generally,

three types of analysis are used in FEA: 1-D modelling is
useful for solving beam, bar and truss elements; 2-D
modelling is useful for solving plane stress and plane
strain problems and 3-D modelling is useful for solving
complex solid structures.
In the earlier period, some of the researchers have
been dealt exact solutions of plate deflections with
different boundary conditions. Bhattacharya (1986)
investigated the deflection of plates under static and
dynamic loads by using a new finite difference analysis.
This approach gives the forth order bi-harmonic equation
which varies from node to node and found the true mode
shape of the plate at each node. Defu and sheikh (2005)
have presented the mathematical approach for large
deflection of rectangular plates. Their analysis, based on
the two forth order and second degree partial differential
Von karman equations, found lateral deflection to applied
load. This solution can be used to direct practical analysis
of plates with different boundary conditions. Bakker et al.
(2008) have studied the approximate analysis method for
large deflection of rectangular thin plate with simply
supported boundary condition under action of transverse
loads. This approach gives the shape of initial and total
deflection of plates. From this analysis, the large
deflection behaviour of plate under transverse load can
be expressed as a function of the pre to post buckling in-
plane stiffness of plate. Liew et al. (2001) developed the
differential quadrature method and harmonic differential
quadrature method for static analysis of three dimen-
sional rectangular plates. This methodology can be used
to found the bending and buckling of plates, which are
simply supported and clamped boundary conditions only.
In the past, some researchers utilized FEA in solving
problem plates with holes. Jain (2009) recently analyzed
the effect of D/A ratio (where D is hole diameter and A is
plate width) upon stress concentration factor and deflect-
tion in isotropic and orthotropic plates under transverse
static loading. Chaudhuri (1987) presented a theory for
stress analysis by using rhombic array of alternating
method for multiple circular holes. He worked on effects
of stress concentration on a laminated plate with hole by
finite element method. Paul and Rao (1989) presented a
theory for evaluation of stress concentration factor of
thick and FRP laminated plate with the help of Lo-
Christensen-Wu higher order bending theory under
transverse loading.
In the last few decades, authors have considered
plates with stiffener. Although the stiffened rectangular
plates have been thoroughly studied, the application of
stiffeners to circular plates is not so popular. Steen and
Byklum (2004) presented an analysis for reducing deflection
in isotropic circular plates under the action of static
pressure by considering two stiffening rings. In their
methodology, they conducted clamped edge boundary
conditions throughout the analysis. Troipsky (1976)
carried out his work for stiffened plates under bending,
stability and vibration. Pape and Fox (2006) presented an
infinite series approach for verity of plate aspect ratio by
Vanam et al. 149
using stiffened elastic beam.
For smoothen the elements, Xuan et al. (2007) have
used boundary integral method. Das et al. (2009) have
developed a quite general method which can be applied
to any classical boundary conditions. Jain (2009)
presented analysis of stress concentration and deflection
in isotropic and orthotropic rectangular plates with central
circular hole under transverse static loading. He
considered three types of elements to solve square plate
problems with various boundary conditions and loadings.
Shaiov and Vorus (1986) developed an integral
equation formulation for an elasto-plastic plate bending.
This technique is used for finding plasticity characteristics
as well as the external lateral loading. Paiva and Aliabadi
(2004) presented a formulation for the analysis of
Kirchhoff plates with sub-regions by varying the thickness
for boundary element method. This can be used for
analyzing building floors such that the boundary integral
equations of curvatures of points located at the zone’s
interfaces are deduced in a very easy way that makes it
possible to get the bending moments.
The present work deals with the analysis of an isotropic
rectangular element being considered as a plane stress
condition. This paper deals with FEA of isotropic
rectangular plates under various boundary conditions and
loadings. Throughout the analysis, the master element
which is four noded quadrilateral elements, are used.
Later, experiments have been conducted for same, using
ANSYS. Finally, results have been checked with exact
results obtained from Kirchhoff plate theory.
MATHEMATICAL MODELLING
The use of mathematics is one of the many approaches to solving
real-world problems. Others include experimentation either with
scaled physical models or with the real world directly. Mathematical
modelling is the process by which a problem as it appears in the
real world is interpreted and represented in terms of abstract
symbols. This makes mathematical modelling challenging and at
the same time demanding since the use of mathematics and
computers for solving real-world problems is very widespread and
has an impact in all branches of learning.
Kirchhoff plate theory
The basic assumptions being considered under classical Kirchhoff’s
plate bending theory are identical to the Euler-Bernoulli beam
theory assumptions. Consider the differential segment from the
plate by planes perpendicular to the x axis as shown in Figure 1.
Load ‘q’ causes the plate to deform in the z direction and the
deflection ‘w’ of point ‘P’ is assumed to be a function of x and y
only, that is, w=w(x,y) and the plate does not stretch in the z
direction. The line connecting points a and b drawn perpendicular to
the plate surface remain perpendicular to the surface before and
after loading. The following assumptions are considered with the
Kirchhoff theory:
i. Normal remains normal: This implies that transverse shears
strains and . However does not equal to
150 J. Mech. Eng. Res.

Figure 1. Basic view of plate segment.

Figure 2. Shear stress in plane normal.

zero. Right angles in the plane of the plate may not remain right
angles after loading. The plate may twist in the plane.
ii. Change in plate thickness can be neglected and normal undergo
no extension. It means: . easy to drive the basic equations for thin plates. The plate can be
iii. Normal stress has no effect on in-plane strains and in
the stress-strain equations and is negligible.
iv. The plate is initially flat. Therefore, the in-plane deflections in x
and y directions at the mid-surface are assumed to be zero; U(x, y,
0) =0 and V(x, y, 0) =0.
v. The material of the plate is elastic, homogeneous and isotropic.
These assumptions result in the reduction of a three-dimensional
plate problem into a two dimensional one. Consequently, the
governing equation of plate can be derived in a simple and straight-
forward manner.
Governing equation for deflection
The aforementioned assumptions of Kirchhoff plate theory makes it
considered by planes perpendicular to the x axis as shown in
Figure 2, to drive the governing equation. Based on Kirchhoff
assumptions, at any point P, due to a small rotation, displacement
in the x direction is given as:
U= (1)
At the same point, the displacement in the y direction is:
V= = (2)
 Vanam et al. 151

The curvatures (rate of change of the angular displacements) of the

plate are:

(13)
(3)

(4)
Using the curvature relationships, the moments become:

and

(5) (14)

Using the definitions of in-plane strains, the in-plane strain/

displacement equations are:
Where is called the bending rigidity of the plate.
x= (6)
The governing differential equations are:

y= (7)

and (15)

xy= (8)

The two points of Equations 1 and 2 are used in beam theory. The
remaining equations (Equations 3 to 8) are new to plate theory.
According to Kirchhoff theory, the plane stress equations for an
isotropic material are:
(9)
Where q is the transverse distributed loading and and are
the transverse shear loads as shown in Figure 3.
Substituting the moment/curvature expressions in Equation 15, and
substituting the results into Equation 13, the final form of governing
partial differential equation for isotropic thin-plate in bending is:

(16)

(10)
From Equation 16, the solution of thin-plate bending is a function of
the transverse displacement w.
(11)
Analytical solution for rectangular thin plate
Where )
Navier’s method or double series solution is used to determine
The in-plane normal stresses and shear stress are acting on the unknowns for a simple supported rectangular thin plate when a
edges of the plate as shown in Figure 2. The stresses are varying concentrated and distributed force are applied. Figure 4 shows a
linearly in the Z-direction from the mid surface of the plate. Although plate of side a and b. For a simple supported rectangular plate, the
transverse shear deformation is neglected, transverse shear boundary conditions are:

stresses yz and are present. Through the plate thickness,

these stresses are varying quadratically. The bending moments w=0 and for x=0 and x=a (17)
acting along the edge of the plate related to the stresses are as
follows:
w=0 and for y=0 and x=b (18)

An infinite Fourier series for the deflection and distributed load can
be defined as follows:
(12)
(19)

(20)
Substituting strains for stresses gives:
152 J. Mech. Eng. Res.

Figure 3. Transverse distributed load.

Figure 4. A plate of side a and b.

Where and are coefficients to be determined.

Equations 17 and 18 assumed for the deflection can easily be (21)
showed to satisfy the prescribed boundary conditions. To determine
the Fourier coefficients one can multiply by It can be shown by direct integration that:

(22)
and integrated twice between the limits 0, a and
0, b:
 Vanam et al. 153

(23) (31)

When the boundary condition changes to clamped or fixed. The

Using the property of Equations 22 and 23, one can get a general detailed calculation of maximum deflection with distributed load can
expression for the coefficient of distributed load as shown thus: be as follows:

(24)
(32)

Using the assumed Equation 24 and inserting them in the

The value of α depends on the boundary condition of rectangular
governing equation, one can obtain the following expression: plate as in Equation 32, where p is the value of distributed load. As
a result, α will be 0.00516 for simple supported and 0.00148 for
fixed or clamped edges.

(25)
FEA formulation for 4-noded quadrilateral element
After simplifying and rearranging coefficient of the deflection is as
follows: Isotropic four node quadrilateral element is having one node at
each corner as shown in Figure 5. There are three degrees of
freedom at each node, the displacement component along the
thickness (w), and two rotations along X and Y directions in terms of
the ( , ) coordinates:

(26)
,

Inserting the expression obtained for coefficients of deflection and
distributed load in Equation 16 to get a solution for the governing
equation for a general distributed load, we get:
(33)
Therefore, the element has twelve degrees of freedom and the
displacement function of the element can be represented by a
polynomial having twelve terms as shown in Equation 34:

(27)
(34)
For a uniform distributed load, the expression in Equation 27 can be
reduced further by specifying the general coefficient of distributed This function is a complete cubic to which have been added two
load: quadratic terms and which are symmetrically placed in
Pascal's triangle. This will ensure that the element is geometrically
invariant:

(28)
(35)
(m,n=1,3,5, …)

(29)
(36)
The following expression is a solution of a simple supported
rectangular plate:

(37)

(30)
(38)
A detailed calculation to reduce Equation 30 is a special case
where the concentrated load is applied at the canter of a simple
supported square plate. Accordingly, the maximum deflection for a
square plate is given thus: (39)
154 J. Mech. Eng. Res.

(44)

(45)
Figure 5. Rectangular element geometry.

Substituting the functions N ( ) from Equation 42 and

integrating, gives, for the isotropic case:

(46)

Where

(40)

Substituting Equations 40 and 35, it becomes Equation 41:

(41)

(42)

(43)

In deriving this result, it is simpler to use the expression in Equation

42 for w and substitute for {a} after performing the integration. A
typical integral is then the element stiffness matrix, and thus;

Where
(47)
As in the case of the inertia matrix, it is simpler to use the
expression in Equation 42 for w and substitute for {a} after
performing the integration using Equation 47. This procedure has
been generalised for a number of plate elements with isotropic
material properties in reference is the element equivalent nodal
force matrix. Assuming pz to be constant substituting for [N] from
Equation 44 and integrating gives:
(48)
The stresses at any point in the plate are given by:
(49)
Substituting for the strains {e} from Equation 49 gives:
(50)
Where {X} is defined in Equation 35 and is substituted for w in
Equation 50.
Assembly of element stiffness matrices
Once the calculation of element stiffness matrices and element
vectors in global coordinate system is done, the next step is to
construct the assemble stiffness matrix. The assembling process of
element stiffness matrices and vectors is based on the requirement
Vanam et al. 155
Figure 6. Geometry of shell63 element.
of “compatibility” at the element nodes. According to law of
compatibility, the values of the field variables are same for all the
elements joining at that node. In structural analysis, generalized
displacements are the nodal variables, which can be translations,
rotations, curvatures, or other spatial derivatives of translations. Let
‘nel’ and ‘sdof’ denote the total number of elements and nodal
degree of freedom respectively. Then the order of assembled
stiffness matrix [K] is sdof x sdof and P is the characteristic load
vector having sdof x1 dimension. Thus, the global stiffness matrix
and the global load vector can be obtained by algebraic sum as:
[k]=
[P]= (51)
After assembling the element stiffness matrixes, global stiffness
matrix is obtained. Here, the analysis carried out 2X2 mesh and
4X4 mesh sizes for a given rectangular isotropic elements.
ANSYS analysis
Finite element analysis software ANSYS is a capable way to
analyze a wide range of different problems. ANSYS can solve
various problems such as elasticity, fluid flow, heat transfer, and
electro-magnetism. Beside those, it can also do nonlinear and
transient analysis. ANSYS analysis has the following steps for
problem solving:
i. Modelling: includes the system geometry definition and material
property selection. In this step user can draw either 2D or 3D
representation of the problem.
ii. Meshing: this step involves discritizing the model according to
predefined geometric element.
iii. Solution: this step involves applying boundary conditions and
loads to the system and solves the problem.
iv. Post processing: this involves plotting nodal solutions (unknown
parameters), which may be of displacements/stresses/reactive
forces etc.
In this analysis, shell63 element is used with four nodes as shown
in Figure 6. Shell63 element type is having both bending and
156 J. Mech. Eng. Res.
A B
Figure 7. Boundary condition: All sides clamped and simply supported.
membrane capabilities and these elements permit both in-plane
and normal loads. At each node, this element is having six degrees
of freedom: three nodal translations and three rotations about x, y,
and z directions. This element includes Stress stiffening and large
deflection capabilities. For finite rotation (large deflection) analysis,
a consistent tangent stiffness matrix option is available in this
element.
RESULTS AND DISSCUSSION
From the ongoing discussion, the analyses have been
carried out as follows:
i. Formulation has been presented for exact solution
using classical method (Kirchhoff’s plate theory) for
isotropic rectangular plate with different boundary
conditions and loadings.
ii. Finite element formulation for 4-noded quadrilateral
element has been presented to calculate the field
variables (deflection and slope). MATLAB programming
has been developed for isotropic rectangular plate by
considering master element as a 4-noded quadrilateral
element.
iii. Finally, analysis has been carried out for the same
structure (rectangular plate) with analysis software
ANSYS. In this analysis, a four node quadrilateral
element is considered for mesh generation.
The aluminium rectangular plate with dimension 1 x 1 m
is considered. The following are the material properties
for rectangular plate:
Young’s modulus E = 70 x109 Pa
Poisson’s ratio ν= 0.33
Problem specification
Clamped edge and simple support boundary conditions
are applied for the considered rectangular plate. The de-
tailed description of the problem is described in Figure 7.
Uniform distributed load on thin plate
Throughout the analysis, uniformly distributed load
(pressure) of 500 Pa is applied on an isotropic square
plate as shown in Figure 8. The variations in deflections
of the plate with boundary conditions clamped and simply
supported are illustrated in Tables 1 and 2, when the
plate thickness is varying in the range of 0.01 to 0.18 m.
Simulation results are presented in Figures 9 to 13.
Concentrated load on thin plate
Point load or concentrated load of 5000 N is applied for a
simply supported plate with same dimension using the
afore stated case and the deflection of plate by varying
thickness of plate is calculated. The simulation result is
shown in Figures 14 and 15. The deflection values are
tabulated as shown in Table 3.
The comparisons are made by varying the thickness of
the plate in order to obtain the optimum thickness where
the thin plate theory works best and also varying different
boundary conditions. Also, analysis software ANSYS is
considered to verify the results obtained from the
developed numerical method using MATLAB. In the finite
element method, by increasing the mesh size, the results
give good convergence with exact solutions. Here, the 2
× 2 and 4 × 4 mesh size analysis has been carried out.
 Vanam et al. 157

A B

Figure 8. Load applying: UDL and point load on plate surface.

Table 1. All sides fixed or clamped plate subjected to uniform distributed load (pressure).

From ANSYS From FEA with 4 × 4mesh

S/No. Thickness of the plate Exact solution deflection
deflection (m) size(MATLAB) deflection (m)
-3 -3 -3
1 0.01 9.86*10 9.69*10 9.53*10
3.65*10-4
-4
2 0.03 3.5*10 3.56*10-4
-5 -5 -5
3 0.06 4.56*10 4.47*10 4.43*10
4 0.09 1.35*10-5 1.33*10-5 1.29*10-5
-6 -6 -6
5 0.12 5.70*10 5.559*10 5.62*10
-6 -6 -6
6 0.15 2.92*10 2.86*10 2.74*10
-6 -6 -6
7 0.18 1.69*10 1.66*10 1.54*10
158 J. Mech. Eng. Res.

Table 2. Deflection of plate: All sides simply supported to uniform distributed load (pressure).

From ANSYS From FEA with 4 × 4 mesh size

S/No. Thickness of the plate Exact solution deflection
deflection (m) (MATLAB) deflection (m)
1 0.01 3.15*10-5 3.1*10-5 3.0089*10-5
-5 -5 -5
2 0.03 1.15*10 1.15*10 1.135*10
3 0.06 1.43*10-6 1.44*10-6 1.394*10-6
4 0.09 4.25*10-7 4.26*10-7 4.28*10-7
-7 -7 -7
5 0.12 1.79*10 1.8*10 1.84*10
6 0.15 9.18*10-8 9.19*10-8 9.173*10-8
-8 -8 -8
7 0.18 5.3*10 5.32*10 5.24*10

Figure 9. Deflection of plate: All sides clamped or fixed supported subjected to UDL pressure.

Figure 10. Deflection of plate: All sides clamped or fixed supported under UDL pressure
 Vanam et al. 159

Figure 11. Deflection vs. thickness graph of fixed plate subjected to uniform distributed load.

Figure 12. Deflection of plate: All sides simply supported subjected to uniform distributed load (pressure).
160 J. Mech. Eng. Res.

Figure 13. Deflection vs. thickness graph for all sides simply supported subjected to UDL.

Figure 14. All sides simply supported plate and concentrated load at centre of the plate.

Finally, the 4 × 4 size gives the approximate results. By Conclusion

observing the results from Figures 11, 13 and 15, the
optimum thickness of plate is obtained as shown in Table This paper mainly focused on the finite element model for
4 finding field variables of an isotropic rectangular plate.
 Vanam et al. 161

Figure 15. Deflection vs. thickness graph for a simply supported plate concentrated load.

Table 3. Deflection of plate: All sides simply supported subjected to concentrated load.

From ANSYS From FEA with 4 × 4 mesh size

S/No. Thickness of the plate Exact solution deflection in m
deflection (m) (MATLAB) deflection (m)
1 0.01 7.84*10-3 8.8*10-3 8.15*10-3
2 0.03 2.90*10-4 3.3*10-4 3.16*10-4
3 0.06 3.63*10-5 4.1*10-5 3.864*10-5
4 0.09 1.03*10-5 1.22*10-5 1.182*10-5
5 0.12 4.54*10-6 5.1*10-6 4.68*10-6
-6 -6 -6
6 0.15 2.32*10 2.6*10 2.74*10
7 0.18 1.34*10-6 1.5*10-6 1.68*10-6

Table 4. Result of optimum thickness of plate.

All sides fixed plate with All sides simply supported All sides simply supported plate
UDL load (m) plate UDL load (m) with concentrated load (m)
0.05 0.08 0.06

The analysis has been performed by considering a four
noded rectangular element as a basic geometric shape.
During the analysis, plate thick varies from 0.01 to 0.18
2
m, under different load conditions (UDL of 500 N/m and
concentrated point load of 50 KN) and different boundary
conditions (simply supported and clamped). Later, for the
same structure and load/boundary conditions, analysis
has been performed using analysis software ANSYS.
Finally, the results obtained from FEA and ANSYS have
been compared with exact solutions, which are calculated
from Kirchhoff plate theory. From the numerical results, it
is observed that structure obtains better results at the
162 J. Mech. Eng. Res.
thickness of 0.065 m. Analysis results showed that the
results obtained from FEA and ANSYS are closely
converging to the results obtained from exact solutions.
Experimental analysis for the same structure has to be
performed as a future work and the proposed
methodology results has to be compared with the results
obtained from experimental work.
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