Alternative Approach to Modify a Discrete Kirchhoff Triangular Element

Abstract

In this paper, the existing modified discrete Kirchhoff triangular bending element is further modified, using the least-squares method, to enable the analysis of arbitrary thin plate with different material and geometric properties. In the vibration and buckling analyses, the combined mass and combined geometric stiffness matrices are employed to improve the calculations of natural frequency and buckling load. A comparison between the proposed element and some existing elements shows that the former is a high precision element for thin plate bending, vibration, and buckling analyses.