International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET)

Volume 8, Issue 12, December 2017, pp. 796–803, Article ID: IJCIET_08_12_086
Available online at http://http://www.iaeme.com/ijciet/issues.asp?JType=IJCIET&VType=8&IType=12
ISSN Print: 0976-6308 and ISSN Online: 0976-6316

© IAEME Publication Scopus Indexed

COMPARISON OF ANALYSIS OF FOLDED

PLATE STRUCTURES BY SIMPLIFIED
BENDING THEORY AND ANSYS PROGRAM
Imad R. Mustafa
MSc Student of Structural Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering,
University of Salahaddin, Erbil, Iraq

Dr. Feirushah Salih

Assistant Professor of Structural Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering,
University of Salahaddin, Erbil, Iraq

ABSTRACT
Folded plates are a very useful form of structure which has many advantages and
several methods are available for the analysis of this type of structure. The simplified
bending theory is established in this article to study the mechanical behavior of folded
plate structures. The accuracy of the proposed method is validated by computing
numerical example, and good agreement is observed between the present results and
ones given by ANSYS. The folded plate structure under unsymmetrical load is
considered as an example and longitudinal stress and vertical deflections of the
structure are compared with numerical result.
Key words ANSYS program, Folded plate, Simplified bending theory and
Unsymmetrical load.
Cite this Article: Imad R. Mustafa, Dr. Feirushah Salih. Comparison of Analysis of
Folded Plate Structures by Simplified Bending Theory and ANSYS Program.
International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology, 8(12), 2017, pp. 796-803.
http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/issues.asp?JType=IJCIET&VType=8&IType=12

1. INTRODUCTION
1.1. General
Folded plate is one of the most important type of plate structures and it is consists of some flat
plates strongly connected together along their edges to produce the structural system capable
to support loads without the need for any additional support. In practice folded plate structures
use widely in many engineering applications, such as in roofs, floor, wall and in foundation
sheet pile.

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 Comparison of Analysis of Folded Plate Structures by Simplified Bending Theory and
ANSYS Program

1.2. Historical Background

 In Europe 1929 the first folded plate created accidently.
 After the Second World the folded plate transfer to the United States of America and at short
time the folded plate accepted like good structural system because of high performance.
 In 1930 G. Ehlers and H. Craemer published first design method of folded plate.
 The most popular method to design folded plate structure in the United States of America was
wrote by G.Winter and M.Pe. in 1947.
 In 1954 I.Gaafer was published the first design method considering and including the joints
displacement.
 In 1959 E.Traum introduce the simplified bending theory of the analysis of folded plate
structure and this method also permit to analysis unsymmetrically loaded folded plate
structure.

1.3. Previous Work

Chulsoo Yu performed analytical and experimental study on two-bay folded plate structure.
The study investigated symmetrical and unsymmetrical line loading case used two analytical
methods, simplified bending theory and beam theory, compared analytically with
experimental results in longitudinal stress and ridge deflection for both cases. It was
concluded from the study that the simplified bending theory is good to analysis folded plate
structure with symmetric and unsymmetrical line loads cases but the beam theory is only
suitable for symmetrical case and both methods are unsafe to analysis and design of the outer
plates with a free edge [1].
Yung-Ping Wang investigated an analytical study to determine stress distribution and
deflection of joints. Analysis based on extension of Gaafar method dependable and
satisfactory by the ASCE task committee and the analysis results show good agreements with
Yitzhaki slop-deflection method [2].
Graham presented experimental investigation in 8 aluminum models of varying plate
thickness, span and roof slop of the plates loaded until yielding. Also developed and advanced
the special theory to analysis of folded plate structure. It was concluded from the study that
the analytical study showed accepted result with experimental test results [3].
Bar-Yoseph & Hersckovitz studied the new approximate method based on Vlasov theory
of thin-walled beams where the folded plate divided in two longitudinal beams is connected
like monolithic structure. The study of the new approach for predicting the mechanical
response of folded structure has been introduced. It was concluded from the study that the
present model for practical purpose can give good estimates for the displacement and stress
fields and the simplicity and computational efficiency of the present method give an important
analytical tool for preliminary design of folded plate structure [4].
Bandyopadhyay & Laad studied two computer programs have been developed using the
conventional Simpson and Whitney methods. Six different numerical problems solved by
earlier investigators are considered to enable easy comparison of numerical results. It was
concluded from the study that the maximum variation is approximately30% from those of
other methods. Hence these methods can be used for the preliminary analysis of folded plate
structures. It is further observed that both of these methods are less satisfactory for spans
which are less than twice the width of the plate [5].

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 Imad R. Mustafa, Dr. Feirushah Salih

Lajos KOLL.A..R investigated some special problems in folded plates structure, the static
behavior of folded plate under partial vertical and horizontal loads for short and long element
folded plates. Also the study investigated the internal force of folded plates under
concentrated loads and analysis of plate for buckling [6].
Ruben A. & Gomez, P.E investigated analysis and design of folded plate by hand
calculation and computer program the research showed how three dimensional problem
modified and solved into two dimensional solution. Used several computer program and hand
calculation to reach adequate design principle to engineer in design of folded plates [7].

1.4. The Present Study

The present study investigates the analysis of unsymmetrical folded plate structure by
simplified bending theory and ANSYS computer program. A comparison of the simplified
bending theory solution with the ones by the finite element structural analysis software
(ANSYS) is carried out to demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency. Additionally parametric
modelling method using ANSYS is proposed. All parameters of the folded plate can be input
in the parametric model and all mechanical quantities can be found.

2. MATERIAL AND METHODS

2.1. Method of Analysis
Several methods are available for the analysis of folded plate structure. In this study use
simplified bending theory to analysis the problem case of folded plate structure. Here the
basic assumptions of simplified bending theory to analysis:
 The material is homogeneous and elastic.
 The structure is monolithic.
 Longitudinal stresses vary linearly over the depth of each plate.
 Individual plates possess negligible torsional resistance.
 End diaphragms are infinitely stiff in vertical plain, but flexible in horizontal plane [1].

2.2. Worked Example

A steel plate model, five meter long and 2.4 meters wide as shown in Figure 1, the analysis is
composed of determining the longitudinal stresses and vertical deflections of points A, B, C,
D and E. Total load on the model 10KN, Steel material E=200 GPa =200,000 N/mm2 .

Figure 1 Geometry of folded structure.

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 Comparison of Analysis of Folded Plate Structures by Simplified Bending Theory and
ANSYS Program

3. SOLUTIONS AND RESULTS

3.1. Solution by Simplified Bending Theory
Sign convention for plate loads is shown in Figure 2 and 3.

Figure 2 Sign convention

10  103 N
W  uniformline load   2 N mm
5000mm

Figure 3 Unsymmetrical External loading

Moment of inertia of a plate: (Thickness=4mm, Width=cos (45)*600=848.5)

bd 3 4848 .53
I  pl     2.0365 108 mm 4
12 12

Section modulus of a plate (I/(d/2), d/2= 424.26mm)

I I 2.0365 108 mm 4
Z  pl      4.8 105 mm 3 (1)
c d /2 424.26mm

Moment in plate I or II (M = wx (L-x)/2, w = w (1)*cos(45)=1.414N/mm)

wL L wL2 1.414 5000 5000 

M (1/ 2)  (L  )    4.4194 10 6 N  mm
2 2 2 8 8

Free edge stress at centre

M M 1 / 2  4.4194  10 6
S( f .e.)     9.207 N / mm 2  9.207 Mpa (2)
 Z 4.8  10 5 4.8  10 5

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 Imad R. Mustafa, Dr. Feirushah Salih

Since the longitudinal stresses in two adjacent plates should be the same and there exist an
unknown shearing force at each ridge, the free edge stresses are distributed in order to
determine the final stresses. The distribution is performed in Table 1.

Table 1 Free edge stress distribution

After final longitudinal stresses for the top and bottom of the plates are found, the
deflections of plates in their own planes are determined by assuming the individual plate
deflects just like simply supported beam does. The deflection formula is derived as follows:

wL2 M M d
Moment at center, M (1/ 2)  , stress in top(maximum) S y max 
8 I I 2

Deflection at center; D
wx 3
24 EI

x  2 Lx 2  L3 , (3)

5wL4 5L2 5L2 5M 1 / 2  L2

D1 / 2    wL2  8M 1 / 2  
384 EI 384 EI 384 EI 48 EI
5L2 2 IS 5L2 2 S
 
48 EI d 48 E d

Substituting the average of top and bottom stresses for S

5L2 2 Sn  Sn 1  L2
D1/ 2    Sn  Sn 1  (4)
48 E d 2 9.6dE

Substituting Sn-Sn-1 value in Fig. 4. (E=200MPa)

L2 5000 2
DI  Sn  Sn 1   16.2651  0.2496mm
9.6dE 9.6848 .5200  103

Similarly,
DII  -0.1890 mm , DIII  0.0908mm , DIV  -0.0302mm

Vertical deflections of ridges are easily calculated.

V A  cos450 DI  DII   0.2496  0.1890   0.3101mm

2
2

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 Comparison of Analysis of Folded Plate Structures by Simplified Bending Theory and
ANSYS Program

VD   cos450  DII  DIII   0.1890  0.09808   0.1979mm

2
2

VB   cos450 DIII  DIV   0.0908  0.0302   0.0856mm

2
2

VC   cos450 DI   0.1765mm

VE   cos450 DIV   -0.0214mm

Check for Rotation

Finding Perpendicular deflection

p II = D II - DIII =0.2496-0.0908=0.1588 mm
DIII  DIV
P III = =0.908-0.0302=0.0606 mm

R II = p II /d=0.1588/848.5=0.00018

R III = P III /d=0.0606/848.5=0.000071

r (5)

r=2.82*10-5
R II =X*r
X=6

R III =Y*r
Y=2.5
Values of X and Y are not small, therefore the Rotation should be considered in the design
of plate.

3.2. Solution by ANSYS Program

Figures 4 to 7 show the results of analysis by ANSYS program.

Figure 4 FE Model
Figure 5 Vertical deflection distribution

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 Imad R. Mustafa, Dr. Feirushah Salih

Figure 6 Vertical deflection at ridges

Figure 7 The longitudinal stress at ridges (MPa)

3.3. Results and Discussion

After found deflections and stress distributions in folded plate structure by simplified bending
theory and ANSYS program, the results show good agreements between ANSYS program
and simplified bending theory. In Table 2 and 3 showed compared results of deflections and
stress distribution in folded plate.

Table 2 Deflection of Folded Plate

Ridge Simplified theory ANSYS
A 0.3101 mm 0.3940 mm
D 0.1979 mm 0.2089 mm
B 0.0856 mm 0.0785 mm

Table 3 Stress Distribution in Folded Plate

Ridge Simplified theory ANSYS
A 7.714 Mpa 7.563 Mpa
D 4.604 Mpa 4.452 Mpa
B 1.313 Mpa 1.231 Mpa

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 Comparison of Analysis of Folded Plate Structures by Simplified Bending Theory and
ANSYS Program

4. CONCLUSIONS
This study investigated the analysis of unsymmetrical folded plate structure by simplified
bending theory and ANSYS program. The stress distribution and deflections found during
analysis process. The following conclusions and findings can be reached from this study:
 The simplified bending theory is suitable for design unsymmetrical folded plate structure,
during the analysis process it can be found the effect of rotation.
 The simplified bending theory showed good agreement results compared by ANSYS program
solution.
 The maximum deflection and stress distribution located at the part of plate which load is
applied.

REFERENCES
[1] Chulsoo Yu, J.B.: Investigation of a two-Bay Folded Plate Structure, (1962)
[2] Yung-Ping Wang: Analysis of continuous folded plate roofs, (1965)
[3] Graham, F.: The behavior of a folded plate roof system. Retrosp. Theses Diss. (1966)
[4] Bar-Yoseph, P., Hersckovitz, I.: Analysis of folded plate structures. Thin-Walled Struct. 7,
139–158 (1989). doi:10.1016/0263-8231(89)90016-5
[5] Bandyopadhyay, J.N., Laad, P.K.: Comparative analysis of folded plate structures.
Comput. Struct. 36, 291–296 (1990). doi:10.1016/0045-7949(90)90128-O
[6] Lajos KOLL.A..R: Some problems of static analysis of folded plate structures, (1993)
[7] Ruben A., Gomez, P.E.: Design of Folded Plates, (2013)
[8] Narendiranath Babu T, Prateek Parmeshwar, Arth Bel adiya and Akshay Bhabhra, CFD
analysis and comparison using A NSYS and STAR-CCM+ of model aerofoil Selig 1223,
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318.
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[10] Pawan Kumar Singh, Dr. L. P. Singh, Vicky Lad and A nil Kumar Vishwakarma,
Modelling of Crankshaft by Cad Tool and Finite Element Analys is Using Ansys
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