Boundary Element‐Transfer Matrix Method for Plated Structures

Abstract

A structural analysis method based on a combined use of the boundary element and transfer matrix method is applied to static problems of plated structures. In this paper, a transfer matrix is evaluated by combining two transfer matrices for in‐plane and plate‐bending problems, which are derived from the systems of equations based on the ordinary boundary element method for in‐plane and plate‐bending problems, respectively. Furthermore, an extended transfer matrix is proposed for the structures with complicated cross section such as T‐ and I‐section members. This method permits the use of a large number of elements, without getting involved with large matrices. Some numerical examples of plated structures subjected to various loads are proposed and their results are compared with those obtained by the finite element method.