Finite Strip‐Elements for Thick Plate Analysis

Abstract

A finite strip‐element method is presented for the analysis of thick and thin plates under transverse loading. The method combines a number of advantages of both finite strips and finite elements. The formulation results in partial uncoupling of the global equations owing to orthogonality relationships of the trigonometric functions used in the displacement approximations. This enables any number of trigonometric series terms to be taken without increasing computer storage requirements. Simply supported and clamped edge conditions are exacfly satisfied, while the free edge condition is approximately satisfied as a natural boundary condition. A selective reduced integration scheme is used to avoid locking in the fhin plate limit. Three examples are considered demonstrating the accuracy and efficiency of the method.