Analysis of Plates: Chapter Outline

Chapter 10
Analysis of Plates
Chapter Outline
10.1 Introduction 379 10.8 Triangular Plate Bending Element 404
10.2 Triangular Membrane Element 379 10.9 Numerical Results With Bending Elements 407
10.3 Numerical Results With Membrane Element 391 10.9.1 Rectangular Elements 408
10.3.1 A Plate Under Tension 391 10.9.2 Triangular Elements 408
10.3.2 A Plate With a Circular Hole 394 10.9.3 Numerical Results 409
10.3.3 A Cantilevered Box Beam 395 10.10 Analysis of Three-Dimensional Structures Using Plate
10.4 Quadratic Triangle Element 397 Elements 410
10.5 Rectangular Plate Element (In-Plane Forces) 398 Review Questions 413
10.6 Bending Behavior of Plates 400 Problems 414
10.7 Finite Element Analysis of Plates in Bending 403 References 425
10.1 INTRODUCTION
When a flat plate is subjected to both in-plane and transverse or normal loads as shown in Fig. 10.1A any point inside the
plate can have displacement components u, v, and w parallel to x, y, and z axes, respectively. In the small deflection (or
linear) theory of thin plates, the transverse deflection w is uncoupled from the in-plane deflections u and v. Consequently,
the stiffness matrices for the in-plane and transverse deflections are also uncoupled and they can be calculated indepen-
dently. Thus, if a plate is subjected to in-plane loads only, it will undergo deformation in its plane only. In this case, the
plate is said to be under the action of membrane forces. Similarly, if the plate is subjected to transverse loads (and/or
bending moments), any point inside the plate experiences essentially a lateral displacement w (in-plane displacements u
and v are also experienced because of the rotation of the plate element). In this case, the plate is said to be under the action
of bending forces. The in-plane and bending analysis of plates is considered in this chapter. If the plate elements are used
for the analysis of three-dimensional structures, such as folded plate structures, both in-plane and bending actions have to
be considered in the development of element properties. This aspect of coupling the membrane and bending actions of a
plate element is also considered in this chapter.
10.2 TRIANGULAR MEMBRANE ELEMENT

The triangular membrane element is considered to lie in the xy plane of a local xy coordinate system as shown in
Fig. 10.1B. By assuming a linear displacement variation inside the element, the displacement model can be expressed as
uðx; yÞ ¼ a1 þ a2 x þ a3 y
(10.1)
vðx; yÞ ¼ a4 þ a5 x þ a6 y
By considering the displacements ui and vi as the local degrees of freedom of node i (i ¼ 1, 2, 3), the constants a1, ., a6
can be evaluated. Thus, by using the conditions
9
uðx; yÞ ¼ u1 ¼ q1 and vðx; yÞ ¼ v1 ¼ q2 at ðx1 ; y1 Þ > =
uðx; yÞ ¼ u2 ¼ q3 and vðx; yÞ ¼ v2 ¼ q4 at ðx2 ; y2 Þ (10.2)
>
;
uðx; yÞ ¼ u3 ¼ q5 and vðx; yÞ ¼ v3 ¼ q6 at ðx3 ; y3 Þ
The Finite Element Method in Engineering. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-811768-2.00010-9 379

Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
380 PART j III Application to Solid Mechanics Problems
(A)
w
Transverse In-plane loads
loads v
u
z
O y
x A plate subjected to both

in-plane and transverse loads
q4 = v2
(B)
2 q3 = u2
(x2, y2)
v(x, y)
q6 = v3
q2 = v 1 (x, y) u(x, y)
q5 = u3
3
1 q1 = u1 (x3, y3)
(x1, y1)
y
O x
A triangular membrane element
undergoing only in-plane deformation
FIGURE 10.1 Loads acting on a plate.
we can express the constants a1, ., a6 in terms of the nodal degrees of freedom as outlined in Section 3.4. This leads to
the displacement model:

! uðx; yÞ
¼ ½N!
ðeÞ
U ¼ q (10.3)
vðx; yÞ
where

N1 ðx; yÞ 0 N2 ðx; yÞ 0 N3 ðx; yÞ 0
½Nðx; yÞ ¼ (10.4)
0 N1 ðx; yÞ 0 N2 ðx; yÞ 0 N3 ðx; yÞ
9
1 >
>
N1 ðx; yÞ ¼ ½y32 ðx x2 Þ x32 ðy y2 Þ >
>
2A >
>
>
=
1
N2 ðx; yÞ ¼ ½ y31 ðx x3 Þ þ x31 ðy y3 Þ (10.5)
2A >
>
>
>
>
>
½y21 ðx x1 Þ x21 ðy y1 Þ >
1
N3 ðx; yÞ ¼ ;
2A
Analysis of Plates Chapter | 10 381
1
A ¼ ðx32 y21 x21 y32 Þ ¼ area of the triangle 1 2 3 (10.6)
2

xij ¼ xi xj
(10.7)
yij ¼ yi yj

! uðx; yÞ
U ¼ (10.8)
vðx; yÞ
8 9ðeÞ 8 9ðeÞ
> q1 > > u1 >
>
> > > >
> >
>
>
> q2 >> >
> v1 >>
>
> >
> >
> >
>
>
<q = > <u >
> =
!
q
ðeÞ
¼
3
¼
2
(10.9)
>
> q4 >> >
> v2 >>
>
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> >
> >
> >
> 5>
> q > >
> u 3>>
: ; : > ;
q6 v3
By using the relations
8 9
8 9 > vu=vx >
> >
>
> >
>
< εxx >
> = >
< >
=
!
ε ¼ εyy ¼ vv=vy (10.10)
: >
> ; >
> >
εxy >
> vu vv > >
>
>
: vy þ vx >
;
and Eq. (10.3), the components of strain can be expressed in terms of nodal displacements as
!
ε ¼ ½B!
q
ðeÞ
(10.11)
where
2 3
y32 0 y31 0 y21 0
1 6 7
½B ¼ 4 0 x32 0 x31 0 x21 5 (10.12)
2A
x32 y32 x31 y31 x21 y21
If the element is in a state of plane stress, the stressestrain relations are given by (Eq. 8.35)
!
s ¼ ½D! ε (10.13)
where
8 9
< sxx >
> =
!
s ¼ syy (10.14)
>
: >
;
sxy
and
2 3
1 v 0
6 7
E 6 6v 1 0 77
½D ¼ (10.15)
1 v2 6
4
7
1 v5
0 0
2
The stiffness matrix of the element [k(e)] can be found by using Eq. (8.87):
ZZZ
ðeÞ
¼ ½B ½D½BdV
T
k (10.16)
V ðeÞ
where V(e) denotes the volume of the element. If the plate thickness is taken as a constant (t), the evaluation of the integral in
Eq. (10.16) presents no difficulty since the elements of the matrices [B] and [D] are all constants (not functions of x and y).
Hence, Eq. (10.16) can be rewritten as
ZZ
ðeÞ
¼ ½B ½D½Bt dA ¼ tA½B ½D½B
T T
k (10.17)
A
Although the matrix products involved in Eq. (10.17) can be performed conveniently on a computer, the explicit form
of the stiffness matrix is given here for convenience:
ðeÞ
k ¼ knðeÞ þ ksðeÞ (10.18)
ðeÞ ðeÞ
where the matrix k is separated into two partsdone due to normal stresses, kn , and the other due to shear stresses,
ðeÞ
ks . The components of the matrices knðeÞ and ksðeÞ are given by
2 3
y232
6 vy x x232 7
6 32 32 Symmetric 7
h i 6 7
Et 6 y y vx y y 2 7
ðeÞ
kn ¼ 6 32 31 32 31 31 7 (10.19)
4Að1 v2 Þ 6
6 vy32 x31 x32 x31 vy31 x31 2
x31 7
7
6 7
4 y32 y21 vx32 y21 y31 y21 vx31 y21 y221 5
vy32 x21 x32 x21 vy31 x21 x31 x21 vy21 x21 x221
and
2 3
x232
6 x y y232 7
6 32 32 Symmetric 7
h i 6 7
Et 6 x32 x31 y32 x31 x231 7
ðeÞ
ks ¼ 6 7 (10.20)
8Að1 þ vÞ 6
6 x32 y31 y32 y31 x31 y31 y231 7
7
6 7
4 x32 x21 y32 x21 x31 x21 y31 x21 x221 5
x32 y21 y32 y21 x31 y21 y31 y21 x21 y21 y221
TRANSFORMATION MATRIX
In actual computations, it is convenient, from the standpoint of calculating the transformation matrix [l], to select
the local xy coordinate system as follows. Assuming that the triangular element under consideration is an interior
element of a large structure, let node numbers 1, 2, and 3 of the element correspond to node numbers i, j, and k,
respectively, of the global system. Then place the origin of the local xy system at node 1 (node i), and take the y axis
along the edge 1 2 (edge ij) and the x axis perpendicular to the y axis directed toward node 3 (node k) as shown in
Fig. 10.2.
To generate the transformation matrix [l], the direction cosines of lines ox and oy with respect to the global X, Y, and Z
axes are required. Since the direction cosines of the line oy are the same as those of line ij, we obtain
Xj Xi Yj Yi Zj Zi
lij ¼ ; mij ¼ ; nij ¼ (10.21)
dij dij dij
where the distance between the points i and j (dij) is given by
2 1=2
dij ¼ ðXj Xi Þ þ ðYj Yi Þ þ ðZj Zi Þ
2 2
(10.22)
and (Xi, Yi, Zi) and (Xj, Yj, Zj) denote the (X, Y, Z) coordinates of points i and j, respectively. Since the direction cosines of
the line ox cannot be computed unless we know the coordinates of a second point on the line ox (in addition to those of
Q3j
q4
j Q3j−1
p q3
Q3j −2
90°
Q3k
q6
y
Q3i Q3k −1
q2 k
q5
0 Q3i−1 Q3k −2
i
q1
Z Q3i−2
0 Y
X
FIGURE 10.2 Local and global coordinates.
point i), we draw a perpendicular line kp from node k onto the line ij as shown in Fig. 10.2. Then the direction cosines of
the line ox will be the same as those of the line pk:
Xk Xp Yk Yp Zk Zp
lpk ¼ ; mpk ¼ ; npk ¼ (10.23)
dpk dpk dpk
where dpk is the distance between the points p and k. The coordinates (Xp, Yp, Zp) of the point p in the global coordinate
system can be computed as
Xp ¼ Xi þ lij dip
Yp ¼ Yi þ mij dip (10.24)
Zp ¼ Zi þ nij dip
where dip is the distance between the points i and p. To find the distance dip, we use the condition that the lines ij and pk are
perpendicular to each other:
lij lpk þ mij mpk þ nij npk ¼ 0 (10.25)
Using Eqs. (10.23) and (10.24), Eq. (10.25) can be rewritten as
1
½lij ðXk Xi lij dip Þ þ mij ðYk Yi mij dip Þ þ nij ðZk Zi nij dip Þ ¼ 0 (10.26)
dpk
Eq. (10.26) can be solved for dip as
dip ¼ lij ðXk Xi Þ þ mij ðYk Yi Þ þ nij ðZk Zi Þ (10.27)
where the condition l2ij þ m2ij þ n2ij ¼ 1 has been used. Finally, the distance dpk can be found by considering the right-angle
triangle ikp as
1=2 h i1=2
dpk ¼ dik2 dip2 ¼ ðXk Xi Þ þ ðYk Yi Þ þ ðZk Zi Þ dip2
2 2 2
(10.28)
The transformation matrix [l] can now be constructed by using the direction cosines of lines ij and pk as
2! ! ! 3
l pk 0 0
6! ! ! 7
6 l ij 0 7
6 ! !0 ! 7
6 7
6 0 l 0 7
½l ¼ 6 ! !pk ! 7 (10.29)
6 0 l ij 0 7
6 ! ! ! 7
6 7
4 0 0 l pk 5
! ! !
0 0 l ij
where
!
l pk ¼ ð lpk mpk npk Þ (10.30)
13
!
l ij ¼ ð lij mij nij Þ (10.31)
13
!
0 ¼ ð0 0 0Þ (10.32)
13
Finally, the stiffness matrix of the element in the global XYZ coordinate system can be computed as
ðeÞ T
K ¼ ½l kðeÞ ½l (10.33)
CONSISTENT LOAD VECTOR
The consistent load vectors can be evaluated using Eqs. (8.88) to (8.90):
ZZZ
½B ½D!
ðeÞ
pi ¼ load vector due to initial strains ¼ ε 0 dV
T
(10.34)
V ðeÞ
In the case of thermal loading, Eq. (10.34) becomes

3 2
y32
6 x 7
6 32 7
6 7
!ðeÞ ! EatT 6 y31 7
pi ¼ ½B ½D ε 0 tA ¼
T 6 7 (10.35)
2ð1 vÞ 6
6 x31 7
7
6 7
4 y21 5
x21
ZZZ
! ðeÞ !
p b ¼ load vector due to constant body forces fx0 and fy0 ¼ ½N f 0 dV
T
(10.36)
V ðeÞ
By using Eq. (10.4), Eq. (10.36) can be rewritten as

8 9
>
> N1 fx0 > >
>
> >
>
>
> N f >
>
>
> 1 y 0 >
>
ZZZ > <N f > =
!ðeÞ
pb ¼
2 x0
dV (10.37)
V ðeÞ >
> N2 fy0 > >
>
> >
>
>
> N3 fx0 > >
>
> >
>
>
:N f > ;
3 y0
Substituting the expressions for N1, N2, and N3 from Eq. (10.5) into Eq. (10.37) and carrying out the integration yields
8 9
> fx0 >
>
> >
>f >
> >
> y0 >
>
>
> >
>
< f =
! ðeÞ
pb ¼
At x0
(10.38)
3>> fy0 >>
>
> >
>
>
> >
>
> fx0 >
>
: >
;
fy0
The following relations have been used in deriving Eq. (10.38):
ZZ ZZ
x$ dA ¼ xc A and y$ dA ¼ yc A (10.39)
A A
where xc and yc are the coordinates of the centroid of the triangle 1 2 3 given by
xc ¼ ðx1 þ x2 þ x3 Þ=3
and yc ¼ ðy1 þ y2 þ y3 Þ=3 (10.40)
! pxo
The load vector due to the surface stresses f ¼ , where pxo and pyo are constants, can be evaluated as
Z pZyo
! ðeÞ px0
ps ¼ ½N
T
dS1 (10.41)
ðeÞ
S1 py0
There are three different vectors !
ðeÞ
p s corresponding to the three sides of the element. Let the side between nodes 1 and
2 be subjected to surface stresses of magnitude pxo and pyo. Then
2 3 8 9
N1 0 > px0 >
>
> > >
6 0 N 7 >
> pyo >>
6 17 >
> >
>
ZZ 6 7 >
< >
=
! ðeÞ 6 N 0 7 p S p
ps ¼ 6 2
7 x0
dS ¼
12 x0
(10.42)
ðeÞ 6 N2 7 2 > py0 >
1
S1 6 0 7 py0 >
> >
>
6 7 > >
> >
4 N3 0 5 >
> >
> 0 >
: >
;
0 N3 0
where S12 is the surface area between nodes 1 and 2 given by
S12 ¼ t$d12 (10.43)
with d12 denoting the length of side 12. Since the stress components pxo and pyo are parallel to the x and y coordinate di-
rections, Eq. (10.42) shows that the total force in either coordinate direction is (px0,S12) and (pyo,S12), respectively. Thus,
one-half of the total force in each direction is allotted to each node on the side under consideration. The total load vector in
the local coordinate system is thus given by
!
p
ðeÞ
¼ !
pi þ!
ðeÞ
pb þ!
ðeÞ ðeÞ
ps (10.44)
This load vector, when referred to the global system, becomes
!ðeÞ
P ¼ ½l !
T ðeÞ
p (10.45)
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ELEMENT
1. The constant strain triangle (CST) element was the first finite element developed for the analysis of plane stress prob-
lems [1.7]. Because the displacement model is linear (Eq. 10.1), the element is called a linear triangular element. From
Eqs. (10.11) and (10.12), we find that the [B] matrix is independent of the position within the element and hence the
strains are constant throughout the element. This is the reason why this element is often referred to as a CST element.
Obviously, the criterion of constant strain mentioned in the convergence requirements in Section 3.6 is satisfied by the
displacement model.
2. The displacement model chosen (Eq. 10.1) guarantees continuity of displacements with adjacent elements because the
displacements vary linearly along any side of the triangle (due to linear model).
h x
P
4h
FIGURE 10.3 A uniform plate under tensile load.
3. From Eq. (10.13), we can notice that the stresses are also constant inside an element. Hence, the element is also called a
CST element. Since the stresses are independent of x and y, the equilibrium equations (Eq. 8.1) are identically satisfied
inside the element since there are no body forces.
!ðeÞ
4. If the complete plate structure being analyzed lies in a single (e.g., XY) plane, the vector Q will also contain six
components. In such a case, the matrices [l] and [K(e)] will each be of the order 6 6.
5. In problems involving bending, this element overestimates the bending stiffness (normal stresses). More accurate
normal stresses can be obtained by using smaller size elements. However, the convergence to the correct solution
will be very slow. To illustrate the numerical performance of the element, a uniform beam with rectangular cross sec-
tion subjected to nodal forces at the free end shown in Fig. 10.3 is considered [10.2]. The nodal forces indicated will
produce bending in the beam. If the beam is modeled using CST elements as indicated in Fig. 10.4A, each element
gives a constant value of sx in the depth or y direction instead of a linear variation predicted by the exact solution.
In fact, the exact solution along the x axis would be sx ¼ 0 while the CST model would predict a constant value of
sx with alternate signs as we move along the x axis from one element to the next as shown in Fig. 10.4.
In addition, the CST element predicts a spurious shear stress. The element predicts a constant, nonzero, value of the
shear stress sxy in each element. This means that the shear strain εxy is constant in the beam while it should be zero. Also,
in some cases, the CST element can exhibit a phenomenon known as locking. The term locking denotes excessive stiffness
in one or more deformation modes. The numerical results obtained with the CST element are given in Table 10.1. The
results indicate that even 512 elements could not predict the bending behavior of the beam (deflection and stress) very
accurately.
(A)
P
h x
P
h h h h
Finite element model of a beam
σx
(B)
Axial stress σ x
FIGURE 10.4 A cantilever beam modeled with constant strain triangle elements.
TABLE 10.1 Finite Element Results of the Cantilever Beam
Number of Number of
Element Elements Degrees of Freedom Tip deflection,* vP Stress,* sxQ
CST 128 160 0.859 0.854
CST 512 576 0.961 0.956
LST 32 160 0.998 0.986
*Ratio of finite element result and exact result.
EXAMPLE 10.1
A triangular membrane element of thickness t ¼ 0.1 cm, with the (x, y) coordinates of nodes indicated besides the node numbers,
is shown in Fig. 10.5. If the material of the element is steel with Young’s modulus E ¼ 207 GPa and Poisson ratio v ¼ 0.3,
determine the following:
1. Shape functions of the element, Ni(x, y), Nj(x, y), and Nk(x, y).
2. Matrix [B] that relates the strains to the nodal displacements.
3. Elasticity matrix [D].
4. Element stiffness matrix, k ðeÞ .
vj
Pjy
(4, 7)
Pjx uj
j
vk
Element “e”
vi Pky
k
Piy (5, 4) Pkx uk
i
(1, 3) Pix ui
y (cm)
x (cm)
FIGURE 10.5 A triangular membrane element.
Solution
Noting that x1 ¼ 1 cm, x2 ¼ 4 cm, x3 ¼ 5 cm, y1 ¼ 3 cm, y2 ¼ 7 cm, and y3 ¼ 4 cm, we find x32 ¼ x3 x2 ¼ 5 4 ¼ 1 cm,
x21 ¼ x2 x1 ¼ 4 1 ¼ 3 cm, x31 ¼ x3 ‒ x1 ¼ 5 1 ¼ 4 cm, y32 ¼ y3 y2 ¼ 4 7 ¼ 3 cm, y21 ¼ y2 y1 ¼ 7 3 ¼ 4 cm, and
y31 ¼ y3 y1 ¼ 4 3 ¼ 1 cm. The area of the element (A) can be computed as
1 1
A ¼ fx32 y21 x21 y32 g ¼ f1ð4Þ 3ð3Þg ¼ 6:5 cm2 ¼ 6:5 104 m2
2 2
a. Shape functions of the element:

1 1
Ni ðx; yÞ ¼ ½y32 ðx x2 Þ x32 ðy y2 Þ ¼ ½ð3Þðx 4Þ 1ðy 7Þ
2A 2ð6:5Þ
(E.1)
1
¼ ð3x y þ 19Þ
13
Continued
EXAMPLE 10.1 dcont’d
1 1
Nj ðx; yÞ ¼ ½ y31 ðx x3 Þ þ x31 ðy y3 Þ ¼ ½ð1Þðx 5Þ þ 1ðy 4Þ
2A 2ð6:5Þ
(E.2)
1
¼ ðx þ 4y 11Þ
13
1 1
Nk ðx; yÞ ¼ ½y21 ðx x1 Þ x21 ðy y1 Þ ¼ ½4ðx 1Þ 3ðy 3Þ
2A 2ð6:5Þ
(E.3)
1
¼ ð4x 3y þ 5Þ
13
b. Matrix [B]:
2 3
y32 0 y31 0 y21 0
6 7
6 7
1 6
6 0
7
½B ¼ x32 0 x31 0 x21 7
2A 6
6
7
7
4 5
x32 y32 x31 y31 x21 y21
(E.4)
2 3
3 0 1 0 4 0
6 7
6 7
100 6
6 0
7
¼ 1 0 4 0 3 7
7l=m
13 66 7
4 5
1 3 4 1 3 4
c. Elasticity matrix [D]:

2 3
1 v 0 2 3
6 7 1 0:3 0
6 7 6 7
6 7 6 7
E 6 6v
7
0 7 207 109 6
6 0:3
7
½D ¼ 6 1 7 ¼ 1 0 7
1 v2 6 7 1 0:09 6
6
7
7
6 7 4 5
6 7
4 1v5
0 0 0 0 0:35
2 (E.5)
2 3
2:2747 0:6824 0
6 7
6 7
6
11 6
7
2
¼ 10 6 0:6824 2:2747 0 7 7N m
6 7
4 5
0 0 0:7961
d. Stiffness matrix of the element [K(e)]:

K ðeÞ ¼ t A½BT ½D½B (E.6)
where t ¼ 0.001 m and A ¼ 6.5 104 m2. The evaluation of Eq. (E.6) using the known values of t, A, [B], and [D] gives the
stiffness matrix as
2 3
0:8180 0:1706 0:1400 0:2843 0:9580 0:1137
6 0:1706 0:3631 0:3412 0:2581 0:1706 0:1050 7
6 7
6 7
ðeÞ 6 0:1400 0:3412 0:5774 0:2275 0:7174 0:5686 7
K ¼ 108 6
6 0:2843 0:2581 0:2275 1:4304
7
7
6 0:5118 1:1723 7
6 7
4 0:9580 0:1706 0:7174 0:5118 1:6754 0:6824 5
0:1137 0:1050 0:5686 1:1723 0:6824 1:2773
EXAMPLE 10.2
If the element described in Example 10.1 undergoes a temperature increase of 80 C and the coefficient of thermal expansion of
the material is 10.8 106 m/m C, find the nodal load vector due to thermal loading.
Solution
Eq. (10.35) gives the load vector due to initial strain (thermal loading) as
8 9 8 9
> y32 > >
> 3 102 >
>
>
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> >
> >
> >
2 >
>
> x32 >
> >
> 1 10 > >
>
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> >
> >
> >
2 >
>
> y >
> >
> 1 10 >
>
!ðeÞ EatT < 31 = 9 6
ð207 10 Þð10:8 10 Þð0:001Þð80Þ < =
Pi ¼ ¼
2ð1 vÞ >
> >
> 2ð1 0:3Þ >
> >
>
>
> x >
> >
> 4 102 >>
>
> 31 >
> >
> >
>
>
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> >
> >
> >
>
> > > 2 >
>
> y 21 >
> >
> 4 10 >
>
>
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> >
> >
> >
>
: ; >
: 3 102 >;
x21
8 9
>
> 3:8324 >
>
>
> >
>
>
> >
>
>
> >
>
>
> >
>
>
> 1:2775 >
>
>
> >
>
>
> >
>
>
> >
>
>
> >
>
>
> 1:2775 >
>
< =
¼ N
>
> >
>
>
> 5:1099 >>
>
>
> >
>
> >
>
>
> >
>
>
> >
>
> 5:1099 >
> >
>
> >
>
>
> >
>
>
> >
>
>
> >
: 3:8324 >
;
EXAMPLE 10.3
If distributed body forces of magnitude f0x ¼ 20 N/m2 and f0y ¼ 30 N/m2 act along x and y directions throughout the element
described in Example 10.1, determine the corresponding nodal load vector of the element.
Solution
From Eq. (10.36), we obtain the nodal load vector due to body forces as
8 9 8 9 8 9
>
> f0x >> > 20 > > 4:3333 >
>
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> >
> > >
> > >
> >
>
>
> f >
> >
> 30 >
> >
> 6:5 >
>
>
>
0y
>
> >
> = >
> >
> >
>
!ðeÞ <
At f0x = ð6:5 104 Þð0:001Þ < 20 6
< 4:3333 =
Pb ¼ ¼ ¼ 10 N
3 > f
> 0y > >
> 3 >
> 30 >
> >
> 6:5 >>
>
> > >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> >
> >
> > > 4:3333 >
>
f
> 0x > > > 20 >
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > >
: 30 > >
: 6:5 >
: f0y > ; ; ;
EXAMPLE 10.4
For the triangular membrane element considered in Example 10.1, distributed surface tractions of magnitude Vx ¼ p0x ¼ 50 N/m2
and Vy ¼ p0y ¼ e30 N/m2 act on the edge (face) connecting nodes 1 and 3. Find the resulting nodal load vector of the element.
Solution
Using an equation similar to Eq. (10.42), we obtain the load vector of the element due to the specified distributed surface tractions as
8 9
> p0x >
>
> >
> p0y >
> >
>
>
> >
>
>
< >
! ðeÞ S13 0 =
Ps ¼ (E.1)
2 >> 0 >>
>
> >
>
>
> >
>
>
> p0x >>
: ;
p0y
where S13 is the surface area of the edge (face) 13 ¼ td13 with d13 denoting the distance between nodes 1 and 3:
qffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi qffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
d13 ¼ ðx3 x1 Þ þ ðy3 y1 Þ ¼ ð5 1Þ þ ð4 3Þ ¼ 4.1231 cm ¼ 4.1231 102 m
2 2 2 2
Thus,

S13 ¼ t d13 ¼ 103 4:1231 102 ¼ 4:1231 105 m2
Hence, Eq. (E.1) gives

8 9 8 9
> 50 > > 103:0776 >
>
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> 30 >
> >
> 61:8466 >
>
>
> >
> >
> >
>
> > > >
!ðeÞ 4:1231 105 < 0 = 5
< 0 =
Ps ¼ ¼ 10 N (E.2)
2 >
> 0 > > >
> 0 >
>
>
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> > > >
> 50 >
> >
>
>
>
> 103:0776 >
>
>
: ; : ;
30 61:8466
EXAMPLE 10.5
A concentrated load, with components P0x ¼ 1000 N and P0y ¼ 500 N, acts at the point (x0, y0) ¼ (3, 5) cm of the plate
described in Example 10.1. Determine the corresponding nodal load vector of the element.
Solution
p0x
The equivalent nodal load vector of the element corresponding to the point load, !p0 ¼ , can be expressed as
p0y
2 3 8 9
Ni 0 > Ni ðx0 ; y0 Þp0x >
>
> >
>
6 0 N 7 >
> Ni ðx0 ; y0 Þp0y >
>
6 i 7 >
> >
>
6 7 >
< >
!ðeÞ 6 N 0 7 p0x Nj ðx0 ; y0 Þp0x =
P point ¼ ½NT !
p0 ¼ 6 7
j
6 0 N 7 p ¼ (E.1)
6 j 7 > Nj ðx0 ; y0 Þp0y >
> >
6 7
0y
>
> >
>
>
> >
4 Nk 0 5 > Nk ðx0 ; y0 Þp0x >
> >
>
: ;
0 Nk ðx0 ;y0 Þ Nk ðx0 ; y0 Þp0y
At the given point (x0 ¼ 3 cm, y0 ¼ 5 cm), the shape functions, given by Eqs. (E.1) to (E.3) in Example 10.1, assume the values
1 5
Ni ð3; 5Þ ¼ ½ 3ð3Þ 5 þ 19 ¼
13 13
1 6
Nj ð3; 5Þ ¼ ½ 3 þ 4ð5Þ 11 ¼
13 13
1 2
Nk ð3; 5Þ ¼ ½4ð3Þ 3ð5Þ þ 5 ¼
13 13
EXAMPLE 10.5 dcont’d

Thus, the nodal load vector of Eq. (E.l) becomes
8 9 8 9
> 5ð1000Þ > > 384:6154 >
>
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> 5ð500Þ >> >
> 192:3077 >
>
>
> >
> >
> >
>
>
< >
= >
< >
!ðeÞ 1 6ð1000Þ 461:5385 =
P point ¼ ¼ N (E.2)
13 >
> 6ð500Þ >> >
> 230:7692 >
>
>
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> 2ð1000Þ >> >
> 153:8461 >>
>
> >
> >
> >
>
: ; : ;
2ð 500Þ 76:9231
10.3 NUMERICAL RESULTS WITH MEMBRANE ELEMENT

The following examples are considered to illustrate the application of the membrane element in solving selected problems
of linear elasticity.
10.3.1 A Plate Under Tension

The uniform plate under tension, shown in Fig. 10.6A, is analyzed by using the CST elements. Due to symmetry of
geometry and loading, only a quadrant is considered for analysis. The finite element modeling is done with eight triangular
elements as shown in Fig. 10.6B. The total number of nodes is nine and the displacement unknowns are 18. However, the x
components of displacement of nodes 3, 4, and 5 (namely Q5, Q7, and Q9) and the y components of displacement of nodes
(A) (B)
Y Y
Loading = 200 N /cm 1000 N 2000 N 1000 N
Global node
2 numbers
3 1
2 3 3 1 Vertex or corner
1 2
numbers of the
3 2
element in local
system
4 12 1
3 2 1 3 Element numbers
40 cm X 4 8
3 1 9 3
2 1 2
5 8
6 7
40 cm 2 1
1 1 3 3 2
5 6 X 7
Uniform plate under tension Finite element idealization
(thickness = 0.1 cm, E = 2 × 106 N/cm2,
μ = 0.1)
y
Y
(C)
j
3
p 2
Y k X
e
X 1
i x
Local and global coordinates of a typical element “e ”

FIGURE 10.6 A uniform plate under tensile load.
5, 6, and 7 (namely Q10, Q12, and Q14) are set equal to zero for maintaining symmetry conditions. After solving the
equilibrium equations, the global displacement components can be obtained as
8
>
> 0:020; i ¼ 2; 4; 6
>
>
>
> 0:010; i ¼ 8; 16; 18
<
Qi ¼ 0:002; i ¼ 1; 13; 15
>
>
>
> 0:001; i ¼ 3; 11; 17
>
>
:
0:000; i ¼ 5; 7; 9; 10; 12; 14
COMPUTATION OF STRESSES
For finding the stresses inside any element e, shown in Fig. 10.6C, the following procedure can be adopted:
Step 1: Convert the global displacements of the nodes of element e into local displacements as
! ðeÞ !ðeÞ
q ¼ ½l Q
61 66 61
where
8 9 8 9
> u1 > > Q2i1 >
>
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> v1 >
> >
> Q2i > >
>
> >
> >
> >
>
<u >
> = >
<Q >
=
! ðeÞ 2 !ðeÞ 2j1
q ¼ ; Q ¼
>
> v2 >
> >
> Q2j > >
>
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> > > >
> u3 >
> > > 2k1 >
> Q >
: > ; >
: >
;
v3 Q2k
and [l] is the transformation matrix of the element given by (two-dimensional specialization of Eq. 10.29)
2 3
lpk mpk 0 0 0 0
6 lij mij 0 0 7
6 0 0 7
6 7
60 0 lpk mpk 0 0 7
½l ¼ 660
7 (10.46)
6 0 lij mij 0 0 77
6 7
40 0 0 0 lpk mpk 5
0 0 0 0 lij mij
Here (lpk, mpk) and (lij, mij) denote the direction cosines of lines pk (x axis) and ij (y axis) with respect to the global
(X, Y) system.
Step 2: Using the local displacement vector !
ðeÞ
q of element e, find the stresses inside the element in the local system by
using Eqs. (10.13) and (10.11) as
8 9
< sxx >
> =
!s ¼ syy ¼ ½D½B! q
ðeÞ
(10.47)
>
: >
;
sxy
where [D] and [B] are given by Eqs. (10.15) and (10.12), respectively.
Step 3: Convert the local stresses sxx, syy, and sxy of the element into global stresses sXX, sYY, and sXY by using the
stress transformation relations [10.1]:
sXX ¼ sxx l2pk þ syy l2ij þ 2sxy lpk lij
sYY ¼ sxx m2pk þ syy m2ij þ 2sxy mpk mij
sXY ¼ sxx lpk mpk þ syy lij mij þ sxy ðlpk mij þ mpk lij Þ
The results of computation are shown in Table 10.2. It can be noted that the stresses in the global system exactly match
the correct solution given by
Total tensile load ð200 40Þ
sYY ¼ ¼ ¼ 2000 N cm2

Area of cross section ð40 0:1Þ
TABLE 10.2 Computation of Stresses Inside the Elements
Displacements (cm) Stress Vector in Stress Vector in

Local System Global System
8 9 8 9
< sxx >
> =
< sXX >
> =
In Global In Local syy N cm2 sYY N cm2

!ðeÞ >
: >
; >
: >
;
System !
ðeÞ sxy sXY
Element e System Q q
1 0.001 0.01556 1000 0
0.010 0.01273 1000 2000

0.002 0.00778 1000 0
0.020 0.00636
0.002 0.01485
0.010 0.01344
2 0.002 0.00636 1000 0
0.020 0.00778 1000 2000
0.001 0.01414 1000 0
0.010 0.01414
0.001 0.01344
0.020 0.01485
3 0.001 0.01414 1000 0
0.010 0.01414 1000 2000
0.000 0.00636 1000 0

0.020 0.00778
0.001 0.00707
0.020 0.00707
4 0.000 0.00778 1000 0
0.020 0.00636 1000 2000
0.001 0.0 1000 0
0.010 0.0
0.000 0.00707
0.010 0.00707
5 0.001 0.0 1000 0

0.010 0.0 1000 2000
0.000 0.00778 1000 0
0.000 0.00636
0.000 0.00071
0.010 0.00071
6 0.000 0.00636 1000 0
0.000 0.00778 1000 2000

0.001 0.00141 1000 0
0.010 0.00141
0.001 0.00071
0.000 0.00071
Continued
TABLE 10.2 Computation of Stresses Inside the Elementsdcont’d
Displacements (cm) Stress Vector in Stress Vector in

Local System Global System
8 9 8 9
< sxx >
> =
< sXX >
> =
In Global In Local syy N cm2 sYY N cm2

!ðeÞ >
: >
; >
: >
;
System !
ðeÞ sxy sXY
Element e System Q q
7 0.001 0.00141 1000 0
0.010 0.00141 1000 2000
0.002 0.00636 1000 0

0.000 0.00778
0.001 0.00566
0.000 0.00849
8 0.002 0.00778 1000 0
0.000 0.00636 1000 2000
0.001 0.01556 1000 0
0.010 0.01273
0.002 0.00849
0.010 0.00566
10.3.2 A Plate With a Circular Hole

The performance of membrane elements for problems of stress concentration due to geometry is studied by considering a
tension plate with a circular hole (see Fig. 10.7) [10.2]. Due to the symmetry of geometry and loading, only a quadrant was
analyzed using four different finite element idealizations as shown in Fig. 10.8. The results are shown in Table 10.3. The
results indicate that the stress concentration is predicted to be smaller than the exact value consistently.
p = 8 ksi
B
12" X
1"
10"
FIGURE 10.7 Plate with a circular hole under uniaxial tension (E ¼ 30 106 psi, n ¼ 0.25, t ¼ plate thickness ¼ 100 ).
(A) (B)
Idealization I (N = 2) Idealization II (N = 4)
(C) (D)
Idealization III (N = 6) Idealization IV (N = 8)

FIGURE 10.8 Finite element idealization of the plate with a circular hole [10.2] (N ¼ number of subdivisions of 1
4 hole).
TABLE 10.3 Stress Concentration Factors Given by Finite Element Method
Idealization (Fig. 10.7) Value of (sxx/p) at A Value of (syy/p) at B

I 0.229 1.902
II 0.610 2.585
III 0.892 2.903
IV 1.050 3.049
Exact (theory) 1.250 3.181
10.3.3 A Cantilevered Box Beam

The cantilevered box beam shown in Fig. 10.9 is analyzed by using CST elements. The finite element idealization consists
of 24 nodes, 72 degrees of freedom (in the global XYZ system), and 40 elements as shown in Fig. 10.10. The displacement
results obtained for two different load conditions are compared with those given by simple beam theory in Table 10.4. It
can be seen that the finite element results compare well with those of simple beam theory.
P1 P2
12" tw tc tw
60"
tc = 1.0"
tw = 0.5"
E = 30 × 106 psi
18" ν = 0.3
FIGURE 10.9 A cantilevered box beam.
24
23
(A)
20
19
22
16 21
15
18
12 17
11
13 14
Z 8
7 Node numbering scheme
10
9
4 3
5 6
Y
1 X 2
24 23
24 20
19
20 19
18
(B) 20 40 17
16 15
39 21 16
16 38 15
12 11
37 17 14
12 36 13
8 7 21 22
35 13 12 10 23
8 34 11 9
33 9 4 3 17 18
4 32 8 19 30
7
31 5 13 14 15 28 29 22
6
5
9
10 11 26 27 18
1 4
3
5 7 24 25 14
2 6
1
3 22 23 10
1 2
21 6
Element numbering scheme
2
FIGURE 10.10 Finite element idealization of the box beam.
TABLE 10.4 Tip Deflection of Box Beam in Direction of Load
Load Condition (lb) Finite Element Method (in.) Simple Beam Theory
P1 ¼ P2 ¼ 5000 0.0195 0.0204 in
P1 ¼ P2 ¼ 5000 0.0175 d
10.4 QUADRATIC TRIANGLE ELEMENT

A triangle element with a quadratic displacement model has six nodesdthree at the vertices and three at the mid-points of
the sides, as shown in Fig. 10.11. The displacement components of a point in the element parallel to the x and y axes are
assumed as
uðx; yÞ ¼ a1 þ a2 x þ a3 y þ a4 x2 þ a5 xy þ a6 y2 (10.48)
vðx; yÞ ¼ a7 þ a8 x þ a9 y þ a10 x2 þ a11 xy þ a12 y2 (10.49)

where the constants or generalized degrees of freedom ai, i ¼ 1, 2,., 12 can be expressed in terms of the vector of nodal
displacements of the element
!
U ¼ f u1 v 1 u2 v 2 u3 v 3 u4 v 4 u5 v 5 u6 v 6 g
T
(10.50)
The strains in the element are given by
vu
εxx ¼ ¼ a2 þ 2a4 x þ a5 y (10.51)
vx
vv
εyy ¼ ¼ a9 þ a11 x þ a12 y (10.52)
vy
vu vv
εxy ¼ þ ¼ a3 þ a5 x þ 2a6 y þ a8 þ 2a10 x þ a11 y
vy vx
(10.53)
¼ ða3 þ a8 Þ þ ða5 þ 2a10 Þx þ ð2a6 þ a11 Þx
It can be seen, from Eqs. (10.51) to (10.53), that the strains vary linearly in the element. Hence, the element is called a
linear strain triangle (LST).
v3
(x3, y3) u3 v5
3
v6 v (x, y) (x5, y5)

u5 v2
5
u6 u (x, y)
(x6, y6) (x, y) 2 u2
6 v4 (x2, y2)
v1 4 u4
(x4, y4)
1
u1
y (x1, y1)
x
FIGURE 10.11 A quadratic triangular element.
Numerical Accuracy: To study the accuracy of the LST element, Felippa [10.2] considered a cantilever beam of
constant thickness (rectangular cross section of the beam) subjected to an end load as shown in Fig. 10.3. The end load is
parabolically distributed over the depth of the beam. Both CST and LST elements are used to model the beam. The results
of the finite element analysis are shown in Table 10.1. It can be seen that the LST element yielded the values of
displacement and axial stress that are more accurate, even with a smaller number of elements, than the CST element. This
shows that the LST element is far superior than the CST element. The only limitation of the LST element, when applied to
the beam analysis, is that the shear stress εxy varies linearly within the element while it varies quadratically (parabolically)
in the y direction according to the simple beam theory.
10.5 RECTANGULAR PLATE ELEMENT (IN-PLANE FORCES)

Consider a rectangular plate undergoing in-plane displacements due to in-plane forces as shown in Fig. 10.12. The var-
iations of displacements inside the element are assumed as
uðx; yÞ ¼ a1 þ a2 x þ a3 y þ a4 xy
vðx; yÞ ¼ a5 þ a6 x þ a7 y þ a8 xy (10.54)
It can be seen that although the displacement distribution is represented by a second-degree surface, the displacement
u(x, y), for example, varies linearly along the x (or y) direction for any constant value of y (or x) as shown in Fig. 10.13. By
using the nodal values, u(x1 ¼ a, y1 ¼ b) ¼ u1, u(x2 ¼ a, y2 ¼ b) ¼ u2,., v(x4 ¼ a, y4 ¼ b) ¼ v4, Eq. (10.54) can
be expressed as

! uðx; yÞ
U ðx; yÞ ¼ ¼ ½Nðx; yÞ!q (10.55)
vðx; yÞ
where ! q is the vector of nodal displacements given by
!
q ¼ f u1 v1 u2 v2 u3 v3 u4 v4 g
T
(10.56)
v4 y v3
4 u4 3 u3
x
v1 v2
b
u1 u2
1 2
a a
FIGURE 10.12 A rectangular element under in-plane loads.
0.8
0.6 u2 = 1
0.4
0.2
u2 = 0
FIGURE 10.13 Distribution of u(x, y) in a rectangular plate.
and [N(x, y)] is the matrix of shape functions given by

N1 ðx; yÞ 0 N2 ðx; yÞ 0 N3 ðx; yÞ 0 N4 ðx; yÞ 0
½Nðx; yÞ ¼ (10.57)
0 N1 ðx; yÞ 0 N2 ðx; yÞ 0 N3 ðx; yÞ 0 N4 ðx; yÞ
where
ða þ xÞðb þ yÞ ða þ xÞðb yÞ
N1 ðx; yÞ ¼ ; N2 ðx; yÞ ¼ ;
4ab 4ab
(10.58)
ða þ xÞðb þ yÞ ða xÞðb þ yÞ
N3 ðx; yÞ ¼ ; N4 ðx; yÞ ¼
4ab 4ab
The local element stiffness matrix, [k], can be generated using Eq. (8.87) as
Z a Z b
½k ¼ ½B ½D½Bt dx dy
T
(10.59)
a b
where t is the thickness of the plate, [D] is the elasticity matrix given by Eq. (10.15), and [B] is the matrix relating the
strains to the nodal displacements that can be obtained by differentiating
u(x, y) and v(x, y) of Eq. (10.54) as indicated
in Eq. (10.10). The global stiffness matrix of the element K ðeÞ in three-dimensional space can be generated as
ðeÞ
¼ ½l ½k½l
T
K (10.60)
where the coordinate transformation matrix [l] of size 8 12 is given by (see Fig. 10.14)
2 3
½lxy ½0 ½0 ½0
6 ½0 ½l ½0 ½0 7
6 xy 7
½l ¼ 6 7 (10.61)
4 ½0 ½0 ½lxy ½0 5
½0 ½0 ½0 ½lxy

lpq mpq npq
½lxy ¼ (10.62)
lps mps nps
and [0] is a zero matrix of size 2 3. In Eq. (10.62), lpq, mpq, npq and lps, mps, nps denote, respectively, the direction cosines
of the lines pq (x axis) and ps (y axis).
v3 U3r
u3
r U3r−1
3
U3r−2
v 4 U3s
u4 y
s v2U3q
U3s−1 x u2
4
U3s−2 2 U3q−1
q
U3q−2
v1 U3p
1 u1
U3p−1
p
U3p−2
Z
X
FIGURE 10.14 Rectangular plate element (in-plane forces).
Notes
1. The rectangular element described in this section is called the Q4 element. It can be observed from the assumed displacement
field that the strain εxx is constant in the x direction and varies linearly in the y direction. Similarly, the strain εyy is constant in
the y direction, but varies linearly in the x direction. On the other hand, the shear strain εxy varies linearly in both x and y
directions.
2. If the element undergoes a constant temperature change, T, the stresses in the element are given by
8 9 8 9
< sxx >
> = EaT
>
<1> =
!
s ¼ s !
¼ ½B q 1 (10.63)
yy
>
: >
; 1 n>: > ;
sxy 0
Eq. (10.63) implies that each stress component varies linearly with x and y, which, in general, violates the stress equilibrium
equations within the element.
3. This element, as in the case of CST element, cannot exhibit pure bending. In problems involving bending, this Q4 element
displays not only the expected bending (normal) strain, but also spurious shear strain. Thus, the element exhibits shear locking
behavior under bending deformation.
10.6 BENDING BEHAVIOR OF PLATES

The following assumptions are made in the classical theory of thin plates [10.3]:
1. The thickness of the plate is small compared to its other dimensions.
2. The deflections are small.
3. The middle plane of the plate does not undergo in-plane deformation.
4. The transverse shear deformation is zero.
The stresses induced in an element of a flat plate subjected to bending forces (transverse load and bending moments) are
shown in Fig. 10.15A. These stresses are shear stresses syz, sxz, and sxy, and normal stresses sxx and syy. It can be noted
that in beams, which can be considered one-dimensional analogs of plates, the shear stress sxy will not be present. As in
beam theory, the stresses sxx (and syy) and sxz (and syz) are assumed to vary linearly and parabolically, respectively, over
the thickness of the plate. The shear stress sxy is assumed to vary linearly. The stresses sxx, syy, sxy, sxz, and syz lead to the
following force and moment resultants per unit length:
Z t=2 Z t=2 9
>
>
Mx ¼ sxx zdz; My ¼ syy zdz; >
>
=
t=2 t=2
Z t=2 Z t=2 Z t=2 >
(10.64)
>
>
Mxy ¼ sxy zdz; Qx ¼ sxz dz; Qy ¼ syz dz >
;
t=2 t=2 t=2
These forces and moments are indicated in Fig. 10.15B. By considering an element of the plate, the differential
equations of equilibrium in terms of force resultants can be derived. For this, we consider the bending moments and shear
forces to be functions of x and y so that if Mx acts on one side of the element, Mx0 ¼ Mx þ vM
vx $ dx acts on the opposite side.
x
The resulting equations can be written as

9
vQx vQy >
>
þ þ p ¼ 0> >
>
vx vy >
>
>
>
vMx vMxy =
þ ¼ Qx (10.65)
vx vy >
>
>
>
vMxy vMy >
>
>
þ ¼ Qy > >
;
vx vy
where p is the distributed surface load. Because the plate is thin in comparison to its length and width, any body force may
be converted to an equivalent load p and hence no body force is considered separately in Eq. (10.65).
z
(A)
σ yz
t 0 y
p
σ yy
σ xz
σ yx
σ xy
σ xx
x
Stresses in a plate
(B)
Qx
Mx
Qy Mxy
0 y
Myx Q ′y
M y′
My
Q ′x
′
M yx
dx
M ′xy
M x′
x dy
Forces and moments in a plate
FIGURE 10.15 Plate subjected to bending loads.
To derive the strainedisplacement relations for a plate, consider the bending deformation of a small element (by
neglecting shear deformation). Any point A in this element experiences both transverse (w) and in-plane (u and v) dis-
placements. The strains can be expressed as
9
vu v2 w >
>
εxx ¼ ¼ z 2 >
>
vx vx >
>
>
>
>
=
vv vw2
εyy ¼ ¼ z 2 (10.66)
vy vy >
>
>
>
>
vu vv v2 w >
>
>
>
εxy ¼ þ ¼ 2z ;
vy vx vxvy
Eq. (10.66) show that the transverse displacement w, which is a function of x and y only, completely describes the
deformation state.
The momentedisplacement relations can also be derived for plates. For this, we assume the plate to be in a state of
plane stress by considering the transverse stress szz to be negligible in comparison to sxx and syy. Thus, the stressestrain
relations are given by (Eq. 8.35)
8 9 8 9
< sxx >
> = < εxx >
> =
!s ¼ syy ¼ ½D! ε ¼ ½D εyy (10.67)
>
: >
; >
: > ;
sxy εxy
where
2 3
1 v 0
6 7
E 6v 0 7
½D ¼ 6 1 7 (10.68)
ð1 v Þ 6
2
4
7
1 v5
0 0
2
By substituting Eq. (10.66) into Eq. (10.67) and the resulting stresses into Eq. (10.64), we obtain the following after
integration:
2 9
vw v2 w >
>
Mx ¼ D >
>
2 þn >
>
vx vy 2
>
>
2 >
>
=
vw vw
2
My ¼ D þ n (10.69)
vy2 vx2 >
>
>
>
>
>
v2 w Gt 3 v2 w >
>
>
Myx ¼ Mxy ¼ ð1 nÞD ¼ $ >
vxvy 6 vxvy ;
where D is called the flexural rigidity of the plate and is given by

Et 3
D ¼ (10.70)
12ð1 v2 Þ
The flexural rigidity D corresponds to the bending stiffness of a beam (EI). In fact, D ¼ EI for a plate of unit width
when v is taken as zero. Eqs. (10.65) and (10.69) give
9
v v2 w v2 w > >
Qx ¼ D$ þ >
>
vx vx2 vy2 =
(10.71)
v v2 w v2 w > >
>
Qy ¼ D$ þ >
;
vy vx2 vy2
The following boundary conditions have to be satisfied for plates (Fig. 10.16):
1. Simply supported edge (along y ¼ constant):
9
wðx; yÞ ¼ 0 >
=
2 2
vw vw for y ¼ constant; and 0 x a (10.72)
My ¼ D 2 þv ¼ 0>
;
vy vx 2
2. Clamped edge (along y ¼ constant):

9
wðx; yÞ ¼ 0 > =
vw for y ¼ constant; and 0 x a (10.73)
ðx; yÞ ¼ 0 >
;
vy
0 x
a
FIGURE 10.16 A rectangular plate.
3. Free edge (along y ¼ constant):

2 9
vw v2 w >
>
My ¼ D þv 2 ¼ 0 >
>
vy2 vx >
>
>
>
>
=
vMyx
Qy þ ¼ vertical shear for y ¼ constant; x a (10.74)
vx >
>
>
>
>
>
vw
3
vw
3
>
¼ ð2 vÞD 2 D 3 ¼ 0 >
>
;
vx vy vy
In the classical theory of plates, first the displacement w(x, y) is found by solving the equilibrium Eq. (10.65) under the
prescribed loading condition p(x, y). By substituting Eq. (10.71) into Eq. (10.65), we notice that the second and third
equilibrium equations are automatically satisfied and the first one gives
v4 w v4 w v4 w p
þ 2 þ ¼ (10.75)
vx 4 vx vy
2 2 vy 4 D
Thus, the problem is to solve the fourth-order partial differential Eq. (10.75) by using appropriate boundary conditions.
Once w(x,y) is found, the strains, stresses, and moments developed in the plate can be determined by using Eqs. (10.66),
(10.67), and (10.69), respectively. Note that the closed-form solution of Eq. (10.75) cannot be obtained except for plates
having simple configuration (e.g., rectangular and circular plates) and simple loading and boundary conditions. However,
the finite element method can be used for analyzing problems involving plates of arbitrary plane form and loading con-
ditions that may sometimes have cutouts or cracks.
10.7 FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF PLATES IN BENDING

A large number of plate bending elements have been developed and reported in the literature [10.4,10.5]. In the classical
theory of thin plates discussed in this section, certain simplifying approximations are made. One of the important as-
sumptions made is that shear deformation is negligible. Some elements have also been developed by including the effect of
transverse shear deformation.
According to thin plate theory, the deformation is completely described by the transverse deflection of the middle
surface of the plate (w) only. Thus, if a displacement model is assumed for w, the continuity of not only w but also its
derivatives has to be maintained between adjacent elements. According to the convergence requirements stated in Section
3.6, the polynomial for w must be able to represent constant strain states. This means, from Eq. (10.66), that the assumed
displacement model must contain constant curvature states (v2w/vx2) and (v2w/vy2) and constant twist (v2w/vxvy). Also, the
polynomial for w should have geometric isotropy.
Thus, it becomes evident that choosing a displacement model to satisfy all these requirements is much more difficult. In
surmounting these difficulties, especially for triangular and general quadrilateral elements, different investigators have
developed different elements, some of them quite complicated. In the following section, a simple triangular plate bending
element is described along with its characteristics.
10.8 TRIANGULAR PLATE BENDING ELEMENT

At each node of the triangular plate element shown in Fig. 10.17, the transverse displacement w and slopes (rotations)
about the x and y axes ((vw/vy) and e(vw/vx)) are taken as the degrees of freedom. The minus sign for the third degree of
freedom indicates that if we take a positive displacement dw at a distance dx from node 1, the rotation (dw/dx) about the y
axis at node 1 will be opposite to the direction of the degree of freedom q3 indicated in Fig. 10.17. Since there are nine
displacement degrees of freedom in the element, the assumed polynomial for w (x, y) must also contain nine constant terms.
To maintain geometric isotropy, the displacement model is taken as

wðx; yÞ ¼ a1 þ a2 x þ a3 y þ a4 x2 þ a5 xy þ a6 y2 þ a7 x3 þ a8 x2 y þ xy2 þ a9 y3
(10.76)
¼ ½h! a
where

½h ¼ 1 x y x2 xy y2 x3 x2 y þ xy2 y3 (10.77)
and
8 9
>
> a1 >
>
>
> >
>
< a2 >
> =
!
a ¼ (10.78)
>
> « >
>
>
> >
>
>
: >
;
a9
The constants a1, a2, ., a9 have to be determined from the nodal conditions
9
vw vw >
>
wðx; yÞ ¼ q1 ; ðx; yÞ ¼ q2 ; ðx; yÞ ¼ q3 at ðx1 ; y1 Þ ¼ ð0; 0Þ > >
>
vy vx >
>
>
>
vw vw =
wðx; yÞ ¼ q4 ; ðx; yÞ ¼ q5 ; ðx; yÞ ¼ q6 at ðx2 ; y2 Þ ¼ ð0; y2 Þ (10.79)
vy vx >
>
>
>
vw vw >
>
>
>
wðx; yÞ ¼ q7 ; ðx; yÞ ¼ q8 ; ðx; yÞ ¼ q9 at ðx3 ; y3 Þ >
;
vy vx
q9 = Q3k
q6 = Q3j
q 7 = Q3k −2
q4 = Q3j −2
2= j 3=k q8 = Q3k −1
q5 = Q3j −1 w (x, y)
(x, y)
q1 = w (x1, y1) = Q3i −2
x
1= i
q2 = ∂w (x1, y1) = Q3i −1
∂y
∂w
q3 = − (x , y ) = Q 3i
∂x 1 1
FIGURE 10.17 Nodal degrees of freedom of a triangular plate in bending.

Note that the local y axis is taken to be the same as the line connecting nodes 1 and 2 with the origin placed at node 1. The
local x axis is taken toward node 3 as shown in Fig. 10.17. The local node numbers 1, 2, and 3 are assumed to correspond
to nodes i, j, and k, respectively, in the global system. By using Eq. (10.76), Eq. (10.79) can be stated in matrix form as
8 9ðeÞ
>
>
q1 >
>
>
<q > = h i
! ¼ h !
ðeÞ 2
q ¼ a (10.80)
>
> « >> e
>
: ; >
q9
where
2 3
1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
60 0 0 7
6 1 0 0 0 0 0 7
6 7
6 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7
6 7
61 0 y22 y32 7
h i 6 y2 0 0 0 0 7
6 7
h ¼ 6
60 0 1 0 0 2y2 0 0 3y22 7
7 (10.81)
e 6 7
6 0 1 0 0 y2 0 0 y22 0 7
6 2 7
6 1 x3 y3 x23 x3 y3 y23 x33 x y3 þ x3 y23 y33 7
6 3 7
6 7
40 0 1 0 x3 2y3 0 2x3 y3 þ x23 3y23 5

0 1 0 2x3 y3 0 3x23 y23 þ 2x3 y3 0
By using Eqs. (10.76) and (10.80), Eq. (10.66) can be expressed as

!ε ¼ B ! a ¼ ½B!
ðeÞ
q (10.82)
e
where
2 3
0 0 0 2 0 0 6x 2y 0
6 7
B ¼ z4 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 2x 6y 5 (10.83)
e
0 0 0 0 2 0 0 4ðx þ yÞ 0
and
h i1
½B ¼ B h (10.84)
e e
Finally, the element stiffness matrix in the local (xy) coordinate system can be derived as
ZZZ
ðeÞ
¼ ½B ½D½BdV
T
k (10.85)
V ðeÞ
where V(e) indicates the volume of the element, and the matrix [D] is given by Eq. (10.68). By substituting for [B] from
Eq. (10.84), Eq. (10.85) can be expressed as
8 0 19
! ZZ
ðeÞ h i1 T > < Z t=2

>
=h i1
B T C
k ¼ h dA@ B ½D B dzA h (10.86)
e >
: area t=2 e e >
; e
where t denotes the thickness of the plate. The integrals within the curved brackets of Eq. (10.86) can be rewritten as
ZZ Z t=2 ZZ
T Et 3
dA B ½D B dz ¼ dxdy
area t=2 e e ð12ð1 v2 ÞÞ area
2 3
0
60 7
6 0 7
6 7
60 0 0 Symmetric 7
6 7
6 7
60 0 0 4 7
6 7
6
60 0 0 0 2ð1 vÞ 7
7
6 7
60 0 0 4v 0 4 7
6 7
60 0 0 12x 0 12vx 36x2 7
6 7
6 7
4ðvx þ yÞ 4ð1 vÞðx þ yÞ 4ðx þ vyÞ 12xðvx þ yÞ ð12 8vÞðx þ yÞ 8ð1 vÞxy
2
40 0 0 5
0 0 0 12vy 0 12y 36vxy 12ðx þ vyÞy 36y2
(10.87)
The area integrals appearing on the right-hand side of Eq. (10.87) can be evaluated in the general XY coordinate system
as well as in the particular local xy system chosen in Fig. 10.17 using the following relations:
ZZ
1
dx dy ¼ A ¼ x3 y2 (10.88)
area 2
ZZ
1
x dx dy ¼ Xc A ¼ x23 y2 (10.89)
area 6
ZZ
1
y dx dy ¼ Yc A ¼ x3 y2 ðy2 þ y3 Þ (10.90)
area 6
ZZ
A 2
x2 dx dy ¼ Xc2 A þ ðXi Xc Þ þ ðXj Xc Þ þ ðXk Xc Þ
2 2
area 12
(10.91)
1 3
¼ x3 y2
12
ZZ
A
xy dx$ dy ¼ Xc Yc A þ ½ðXi Xc ÞðYi Yc Þ þ ðXj Xc ÞðYj Yc Þ þ ðXk Xc ÞðYk Yc Þ
area 12
(10.92)
1 2
¼ x3 y2 ðy2 þ 2y3 Þ
24
ZZ
A
y2 dx$ dy ¼ Yc2 A þ ðYi Yc Þ2 þ ðYj Yc Þ2 þ ðYk Yc Þ2
area 12
(10.93)
1 2
¼ x3 y2 y2 þ y2 y3 þ y23
12
where
Xc ¼ ðXi þ Xj þ Xk Þ=3 (10.94)
and
Yc ¼ ðYi þ Yj þ Yk Þ=3 (10.95)
Q3j − 2 = q4 Q3k− 2 = q 7
q6 q9
Q3j Q3k
j
k
q5 q8
Q 3j −1 Q3k −1
Q3i−2 = q1
Z
q3
Q3i
i
0 Y
q2
Q3i−1 x
X
FIGURE 10.18 Local and global degrees of freedom.
It can be seen that the evaluation of the element

h stiffness
i matrix from Eqs. (10.86) and (10.87) involves the numerical
determination of the inverse of the 9 9 matrix, h , for each element separately. Finally, the element stiffness matrix in
e
the global coordinate system (whose XY plane is assumed to be the same as the local xy plane) can be obtained from
ðeÞ T
K ¼ ½l k ðeÞ ½l (10.96)
where the transformation matrix [l] is given by
2 3
1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
60 l 7
6 0x m0x 0 0 0 0 0 0 7
6 7
6 0 l0y m0y 0 0 0 0 0 0 7
6 7
6 7
60 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 7
6 7
½l ¼ 660 0 0 0 l0x m0x 0 0 0 7 7 (10.97)
99 6 7
60 0 0 0 l0y m0y 0 0 0 7
6 7
60 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 7
6 7
6 7
40 0 0 0 0 0 0 l0x m0x 5
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 l0y m0y
where (l0x, m0x) and (l0y, m0y) represent the direction cosines of the lines 0x and 0y, respectively (Fig. 10.18).
10.9 NUMERICAL RESULTS WITH BENDING ELEMENTS

The triangular plate bending element considered in Section 10.8 is one of the simplest elements. Several other elements
were developed for the analysis of plates. Since the strains developed in a plate under bending involve second derivatives
of the transverse displacement w, the expression for w must contain a complete second-degree polynomial in x and y.
Furthermore, the interelement compatibility requires the continuity of w as well as of the normal derivative (vw/vn) across
the boundaries of two elements.
For a rectangular element (Fig. 10.16), the simplest thing to do is to take the values of w, (vw/vx), and (vw/vy) at each of
the four corners as nodal degrees of freedom. This gives a total of 12 degrees of freedom for the element. Thus, the
polynomial for w must also contain 12 constants ai. Since a complete polynomial of degree three in x and y contains 10
terms, we need to include two additional terms. These terms can be selected arbitrarily, but we should preserve the
symmetry of the expansion to ensure geometric isotropy. Thus, we have three possibilities, namely to take x3y and xy3, x3y2
and x2y3, or x2y2 and x3y3 in the expression of w. All these choices satisfy the condition that along any edge of the element
w varies as a cubic. This can be verified by setting x ¼ 0 or a (or y ¼ 0 or b) in the expression of w. Since there are four
nodal unknowns for any edge (e.g., along the edge x ¼ 0, we have w and (vw/vy) at the two corners as degrees of freedom),
w is uniquely specified along that edge. This satisfies the continuity condition of w across the boundaries. For the con-
tinuity of (vw/vn), we need to have (vw/vn) vary linearly on a side since it is specified only at the node points. Irrespective
of what combination of 12 polynomial terms we choose for w, we cannot avoid ending up with a cubic variation for (vw/
vn) (n ¼ x for the sides defined by x ¼ 0 and a and n ¼ y for the edges defined by y ¼ 0 and b). Therefore, it is not possible
to satisfy the interelement compatibility conditions (continuity of both w and (vw/vn)) with 12 degrees of freedom only. A
similar reasoning will reveal that the triangular element considered in Section 10.8 is also nonconforming.
The displacement models of some of the plate bending elements available in the literature are given next.
10.9.1 Rectangular Elements

1. Nonconforming element due to AdinieClougheMelosh (ACM):
wðx; yÞ ¼ a1 þ a2 x þ a3 y þ a4 x2 þ a5 y2 þ a6 xy þ a7 x3 þ a3 y3 þ a9 x2 y þ a10 xy2 þ a11 x3 y þ a12 xy3 (10.98)
Degrees of freedom at each node: w, (vw/vx), (vw/vy) [10.6].

2. Conforming element due to BognereFoxeSchmit (BFS)-16:
"
X2 X 2
ð1Þ ð1Þ ð1Þ ð1Þ vw
wðx; yÞ ¼ H0i ðxÞH0j ðyÞwij þ H1i ðxÞH0j ðyÞ
i¼1 j¼1
vx ij
2 #
ð1Þ ð1Þ vw ð1Þ ð1Þ vw
þH0i ðxÞH1j ðyÞ þ H1i ðxÞH1j ðyÞ (10.99)
vy ij vxvy ij
Degrees of freedom at each node: wij, (vw/vx)ij, (vw/vy)ij, (v2w/vxvy)ij (node numbering scheme shown in Fig. 4.16)
[10.7].
3. More accurate conforming element due to BFS-24:
"
X 2 X 2
ð2Þ ð2Þ ð2Þ ð2Þ vw
ptwðx; yÞ ¼ H0i ðxÞH0j ðyÞwij þ H1i ðxÞH0j ðyÞ
i¼1 j¼1
vx ij
2
þH0i ðxÞH1j ðyÞ þ H2i ðxÞH0j ðyÞ
vy ij vx2 ij
2 2 #
þH0i ðxÞH2j ðyÞ þ H1i ðxÞH1j ðyÞ (10.100)
vy ij
2 vxvy ij

v2 w v2 w v2 w
Degrees of freedom at each node: wij, (vw/vx)ij, (vw/vy)ij, vx2 ; vy2 ; vxvy
ij ij ij
(node numbering scheme shown in Fig. 4.16) [10.7].
10.9.2 Triangular Elements

1. Nonconforming element due to Tocher (T-9):
wðx; yÞ ¼ same as Eq:ð10:76Þ
Degrees of freedom at each node: w, vw/vx, vw/vy [10.8].

2. Nonconforming element due to Tocher (T-10):
wðy; xÞ ¼ a1 þ a2 x þ a3 y þ a4 x2 þ a5 y2 þ a6 xy þ a7 x3 þ a3 y3 þ a9 x2 y þ x10 xy2 (10.101)
Degrees of freedom at each node: w, vw/vx, vw/vy. (The 10th constant was suppressed using the Ritz method [10.8].)
3. Nonconforming element due to Adini (A):
wðx; yÞ ¼ a1 þ a2 x þ a3 y þ a4 x2 þ a5 y2 þ a6 x3 þ a7 y3 þ a8 x2 y þ a9 xy2 (10.102)
(The uniform twist term xy was neglected.)

Degrees of freedom at each node: w, vw/vx, vw/vy [10.9].
4. Conforming element due to Cowper et al. (C) [10.10]:
wðx; yÞ ¼ a1 þ a2 x þ a3 y þ a4 x2 þ a5 y2 þ a6 xy þ a7 x3 þ a8 y3 þ a9 x2 y
þa10 xy2 þ a11 x4 þ a12 y4 þ a13 x3 y þ a14 xy3 þ a15 x2 y2
þa16 x5 þ a17 y5 þ a18 x4 y þ a19 xy4 þ a20 x3 y2 þ a21 x2 y3 (10.103)
(Three constraints are imposed to reduce the number of unknowns from 21 to 18. These determine that the normal
slope vw/vn along any edge must have a cubic variation.) Degrees of freedom at each node: w, vw/vx, vw/vy,
v2w/vx2, v2w/vy2, v2w/vxvy [10.10].
10.9.3 Numerical Results

Typical numerical results obtained for a clamped square plate subjected to uniformly distributed load with nonconforming
and conforming bending elements are shown in Fig. 10.19 and Table 10.5, respectively. The finite element idealizations
considered are shown in Fig. 10.20. Due to symmetry of geometry and load condition, only a quarter of the plate is
considered for analysis. Of course, the symmetry conditions have to be imposed before solving the problem. For example, if
the quarter plate 1, 2, 3, 4 shown in Fig. 10.20 is to be analyzed, vw/vx has to be set equal to zero along line 2, 4, and vw/vy
1.5
Element ACM
Deflection coefficient (α × 103)
1.4
1.3
Rectangular Exact
element
1 2 4 6 8 ∞
Mesh size (n)
2.4
Deflection coefficient (α × 103)
2.0
Element T-10
Element T-9
1.6
Element A
1.2
Exact
Triangular elements
0.8
1 2 4 6 8 ∞
Mesh size (n)
FIGURE 10.19 Central deflection of a clamped plate under uniformly distributed load.
TABLE 10.5 Central Deflection of a Square Clamped Plate Under Uniformly Distributed Load (n [ 0.3)
Results Given by the Triangular Element in Cowper et al. [10.10]:
Idealization (Fig. 10.20) Number of dof for One-Quarter Plate Value of wc (103 D/qa4)
n¼1 5 1.14850
n¼2 21 1.26431
n ¼ 3 (not shown in Fig. 10.20) 49 1.26530
Exact [10.3] d 1.26
Results Given by the Rectangular Elements in Bogner et al. [10.7]:
16 dof Element (BFS-16) 24 dof Element (BFS-24)
Number of Elements in a Quadrant Number of dof Value of wc* Number of dof Value of wc*
00
1 1 0.042393 5 0.040500
4 (2 2 grid) 9 0.04047500 21 0.040200
00
9 (3 3 grid) 25 0.040482 d d
00
16 (4 4 grid) 49 0.040487 d d
00
Exact [10.3] d 0.0403 d 0.040300
dof, degrees of freedom.

*For a ¼ 20 00 , q ¼ 0.2 psi, E ¼ 10.92 106 psi, t ¼ 0.100 .
4 x
3
1 2
n =1 n=2 n=4 n=8
FIGURE 10.20 Typical finite element idealizations considered in analysis of square plate.
has to be set equal to zero along line 3, 4. The deflection of the center of the clamped plate (wc) is taken as the measure of
the quality of the approximation, and the deflection coefficient a of Fig. 10.19 is defined by
aqa4
wc ¼
D
where q denotes the intensity of the uniformly distributed load, a is the side of the plate, and D is the flexural rigidity. An
important conclusion that can be drawn from the results of Fig. 10.19 is that monotonic convergence of deflection cannot
always be expected from any of the nonconforming elements considered.
10.10 ANALYSIS OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL STRUCTURES USING PLATE ELEMENTS

If three-dimensional structures under arbitrary load conditions are to be analyzed using plate elements, we have to provide
both in-plane and bending load-carrying capacity for the elements. The procedure to be adopted will be illustrated with
reference to a triangular element. If a linear displacement field is assumed under in-plane loads (as in Eq. 10.1), the
resulting 6 6 in-plane stiffness matrix (in local coordinate system) can be expressed as
2 3
½k11 m ½k12 m ½k13 m
6 22 22 7
6 ½k 22
½k22 m ½k23 m 7
kðeÞ ¼ 6 21
6 22m
7 (10.104)
m 22 7
4 22
5
66
½k31 m ½k32 m ½k33 m
22 22 22
where the submatrices [kij]m correspond to the stiffness coefficients associated with nodes i and j, and the subscript m is
used to indicate membrane action. In this case, the relationship between the nodal displacements and nodal forces can be
written as
8 9 8 9
>
> Px1 >> > u1 >
>
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> >
> >
> v1 >
>
>
>
P y1 >
> >
> > >
>
<P = > >
< >
x2 ðeÞ u2 =
¼ k m (10.105)
> Py2 >
> > > v2 >
> >
>
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> Px3 >> >
> u3 >
>
>
> >
> >
> >
>
>
:P ; > : ;
y3 v 3
where ui and vi denote the components of displacement of node i(i ¼ 1, 2, 3) parallel to the local x and y axes, respec-
tively. Similarly, Pxi and Pyi indicate the components of force at node i(i ¼ 1, 2, 3) parallel to the x and y axes,
respectively.
Similarly, the relation between the forces and displacements corresponding to the bending of the plate (obtained from
Eq. 10.76) can be written as
8 9 8 9
>
> Pz1 > > >
> w1 > >
>
> > > >
>
>
> My1 > >
>
>
>
>
>
> wy1 > >
>
>
>
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> M >
> >
> w >
x1 >
>
>
x1 >
> >
> >
>
>
> >
> >
> >
>
>
< p z2 >
= >
< w 2 >
=
ðeÞ
My2 ¼ k b wy2 (10.106)
>
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> M >
> >
> w >
>
>
> x2 >
> >
> x2 >
>
>
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> P >
> >
> w >
>
>
>
z3
>
> >
>
3
>
>
>
> My3 > > >
> wy3 > >
>
> >
> >
> >
>
: ; : ;
Mx3 wx3
where wi and Pzi indicate the components of displacement and force parallel to the z axis at node i, Myi and Mxi represent the
generalized forces corresponding to the rotations (generalized displacements) wyi(qxi) and wxi (qyi) at node i (i ¼ 1, 2, 3),
respectively, and the subscript b has been used to denote the bending stiffness matrix. The 9 9 bending stiffness matrix
(in the local coordinate system) can be written as
2 3
½k11 b ½k12 b ½k13 b
6 33 33 7
6 ½k ½k ½k 7
33
ðeÞ
k b ¼ 6 6 21 22 23 b 7 (10.107)
33 7
b b
4 33 33
5
½k31 b ½k32 b ½k33 b
33 33 33
In the analysis of three-dimensional structures, the in-plane and bending stiffnesses have to be combined in accordance
with the following observations:
1. For small displacements, the in-plane (membrane) and bending stiffnesses are uncoupled.
2. The in-plane rotation qZ (rotation about the local z axis) is not necessary for a single element. However, qZ and its con-
jugate force Mz have to be considered in the analysis by including the appropriate number of zeroes to obtain the
element stiffness matrix for the purpose of assembling several elements.

Therefore, to obtain the total element stiffness matrix K ðeÞ , the in-plane and bending stiffnesses are combined as shown next.
2 3
6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7
6 ½k11 m ½k12 m ½k13 m 7
6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7
6 22 22 22
7
6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7
6 7
6 0 0 ½k11 b 0 0 0 ½k12 b 0 0 0 ½k13 b 0 7
6 7
6 33 33 33 7
6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7
6 7
6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7
6 7
6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7
6 ½k21 m ½k22 m ½k23 m 7
6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7
6 22 22 22 7
ðeÞ 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7
k ¼ 6
6
7
7 (10.108)
1818 6 0 0 ½k21 b 0 0 0 ½k22 b 0 0 0 ½k23 b 0 7
6 7
6 7
33 33 33
6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7
6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7
6 7
6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7
6 ½k31 m ½k32 m ½k33 m 7
6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7
6 22 22 22 7
6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7
6 7
6 ½k31 b ½k32 b ½k33 b 7
6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7
6 7
6 0 0
33
0 0 0
33
0 0 0 0 7
4 5
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
The stiffness matrix given by Eq. (10.108) is with reference to the local xyz coordinate system shown in Fig. 10.21. In
the analysis of three-dimensional structures in which different finite elements have different orientations, it is necessary to
transform the local stiffness matrices to a common set of global coordinates. In this case, the global stiffness matrix of the
element can be obtained as
ðeÞ
K ¼ ½lT kðeÞ ½l (10.109)
w2
z −θ x2 v2
2
u2
θ y2 θ z2
−θ x3 w3
v3
w1 t
v1 3 u3
−θ x1
1
u1 θ y3 θ z3
θ y1
Z
θ z1
x
Y
X
FIGURE 10.21 In-plane and bending displacements in a local xyz coordinate system.
where the transformation matrix, [l], is given by

2 3
½l ½l ½0 ½0
6 7
¼ 4 ½0 ½l ½0 5 (10.110)
18 18 ½0 ½0 ½l
and
2 3
l0x m0x n0x 0 0 0
6 7
6 l0y m0y n0y 0 0 0 7
6 7
6l 0 7
6 0z m0z n0z 0 0 7
½l ¼ 6 7 (10.111)
60 0 0 l0x m0x n0x 7
66
6 7
60 n0y 7
4 0 0 l0y m0y 5
0 0 0 l0z m0z n0z
Here, (l0x, m0x, n0x), for example, denotes the set of direction cosines of the x axis, and [0] represents a null square matrix of
order six.
REVIEW QUESTIONS
10.1. Give brief answers to the following questions.
1. What is the difference between a membrane and a plate?
2. Why is the transverse displacement uncoupled from the in-plane displacements for a plate?
3. What is a CST element?
4. What is a quadratic triangular membrane element?
5. What is an LST element?
6. What is the order of the coordinate transformation matrix of a rectangular plate element under in-plane forces lying
in three-dimensional space?
7. What is a conforming element?
10.2 Fill in the blank space with a suitable word.
1. For plates used in three-dimensional applications such as folded plates, both ———————— and bending ac-
tions are to be considered.
2. The triangular membrane element assumes a ————————————— model for each of the in-plane
displacement components.
3. The order of the coordinate transformation matrix of a triangular membrane element is
————————————.
4. The number of degrees of freedom of the simplest triangular bending element is ————————.
5. The order of the coordinate transformation matrix of the simple triangular bending element in its own plane is
—————————
10.3 Indicate whether each of the following statements is true or false.
1. A triangular membrane element has nine degrees of freedom in the local xy-coordinate system.
2. For a constant thickness triangular membrane element, the computation of the element stiffness matrix does not need
any integration.
3. The displacement model of a CST element ensures displacement continuity along element boundaries.
4. The stresses vary linearly in a triangular membrane element.
5. The triangular membrane element can be used to find the stresses in a gear tooth.
10.4 Select the most appropriate answer among the multiple choices given.
1. The state of stress in a planar membrane element is:
(a) plane strain (b) plane stress (c) three-dimensional
2. The order of the coordinate transformation matrix within the plane of the triangular membrane element is:
(a) 2 6 (b) 5 6 (c) 5 9
3. The number of nodal degrees of freedom for a quadratic triangular element is:
(a) 6 (b) 9 (c) 12
4. The nature of the displacement model for a rectangular plate under in-plane forces is:
(a) linear (b) quadratic (c) cubic
5. The size of a triangular element that considers both the in-plane and bending displacements in three-dimensional space is:
(a) 18 18 (b) 9 9 (c) 12 12
10.5 Match the elements given with their corresponding displacement models.
1. CST element (a) Triangular element with cubic displacement

model
2. LST element (b) Triangular element with linear displacement
model
3. Q4 element (c) Triangular element with quadratic
displacement model
4. Simple bending element (d) Rectangular element with quadratic
displacement model
PROBLEMS
10.1 Find the stresses in the plate shown in Fig. 10.22 using one triangular membrane element.
10.2 Find the stresses in the plate shown in Fig. 10.23 using two triangular membrane elements.
10.3 Find the coordinate transformation matrix for the triangular membrane element shown in Fig. 10.24.
10.4 The plate shown in Fig. 10.22 is heated by 50 C. Determine the load vector. Assume the coefficient of expansion of
the material as a ¼ 12 106 per C.
10.5 The nodal coordinates and the nodal displacements of a triangular element, under a specific load condition, are:
Xi ¼ 0, Yi ¼ 0, Xj ¼ 1 in, Yj ¼ 3 in, Xk ¼ 4 in, Yk ¼ 1 in
Q2i1 ¼ 0.001 in, Q2i ¼ 0.0005 in, Q2jei ¼ 0.0005 in, Q2j ¼ 0.0015 in
Q2k1 ¼ 0.002 in, Q2k ¼ 0.001 in
If E ¼ 30 106 psi and v ¼ 0.3, find the stresses in the element.
10.6 For a triangular element in a state of plane stress, it is proposed to consider three corner and three mid-side nodes.
Suggest a suitable displacement model and discuss its convergence and other properties.
20 mm
2
1000 N
X 3 500 N
1
−20 mm
50 mm
E = 205 GPa, ν = 0.3, t = 10 mm

FIGURE 10.22 Triangular plate.
1000 N
500 N
40 mm
50 mm
E = 205 GPa, ν = 0.3, t = 10 mm

FIGURE 10.23 Rectangular plate.
q4
(15, 30) mm
2 q3 q6
y
3
(30, 20) mm q5
q2
1
(10, 10) mm
q1
x
X
FIGURE 10.24 Membrane element in two dimensions.
10.7 Explain why the sum of coefficients of the stiffness matrix in any row for triangular plates with only in-plane loads
is equal to zero; that is, Sjkij ¼ 0 for any row i.
10.8 Consider two rectangular plate elements joined as shown in Fig. 10.25. If both in-plane and bending actions are
considered, what conditions do you impose on the nodal displacements of the two elements if the edge AB is
(a) hinged and (b) welded?
10.9 A triangular plate is subjected to a transverse load of 1000 N as shown in Fig. 10.26. Find the transverse displace-
ment and the stresses induced in the plate using a one-element idealization. Assume E ¼ 205 GPa, v ¼ 0.33, and
t ¼ 10 mm.
B
θ
D F
1 2
z2
b1 y2 b2
z1 y1
x2
A
x1
C a1 a2 E
FIGURE 10.25 Two plates joined at an angle.
10.10 A rectangular plate, simply supported on all the edges, is subjected to a distributed transverse load of
px py
pðx; yÞ ¼ p0 sin sin
a b
where a and b are the dimensions of the plate (Fig. 10.27).
a. Verify that the displacement solution
px py
wðx; yÞ ¼ c sin sin (P.1)
a b
where
p0
c ¼ 2
1 1
p4 D 2 þ 2
a b
satisfies the equilibrium equation and the boundary conditions.
b. Using the solution of Eq. (P.1), find expressions for the moments and reactions in the plate.
10.11 A gear tooth is shown in Fig. 10.28. Show a suitable finite element mesh of this gear tooth using approximately 50
CST elements. Label the nodes to minimize the bandwidth of the resulting stiffness matrix of the assembly (system).
10.12 For the rectangular plane stress element described in Section 10.5, show that the strains can be expressed as
! !
ε ¼ ½BU (P.2)
P = 1000 N
20 mm
20 mm
50 mm

p0
b
FIGURE 10.27 Rectangular plate under distributed load.
Y
(inch)
1000 lb
8
6
Pitch circle
Base circle
4
Dedendum
circle
2
X
−3 −2 −1 0 1 2 3 (inch)
Material: Steel, E = 30 ×106 psi, ν = 0.3, face width = 1 in
FIGURE 10.28 Gear tooth.
where
8 9
>
> vu >
>
>
> >
>
8 9 >
> vx >
>
>
> >
>
< εxx >
> = >
< vv
>
=
!
ε ¼ εyy ¼
>
: > ; >
> >
> vy
εxy >
> >
>
>
> vu vv >
>
>
> þ >
>
>
: >
vy vx ;
and
2 3
1 y y y
6 1 1 y 0 1 0 0 0 7
6 a ab ab 7
6 b a b 7
6
x 7
6 1 x
1 7
x x 1
½B ¼ 6 0 1 0 0 0 7 (P.3)
6 b a ab ab b a 7
6 7
6 1
4 1 x
1 y x 1 y x y 1 x y 7
5
1 1 1
b a a b ab a b ab ab b a ab
10.13 The stiffness matrix of the rectangular plane stress element considered in Problem 10.12 can be derived as
ZZ
ðeÞ
¼ t ½B ½D½B dA
T
k (P.4)
AðeÞ
(e)
where A is the area of the rectangular element, [B] is given by Eq. (P.3) of Problem 10.12, and [D] is given by Eq.
(10.15). Show that the elements of the 8 8 element stiffness matrix, kij, can be expressed as

b 1v a
k11 ¼ k33 ¼ k55 ¼ k77 ¼ c þ
3a 6 b

v 1v
k12 ¼ k34 ¼ k25 ¼ k16 ¼ k56 ¼ k47 ¼ k38 ¼ k78 ¼ c þ
4 8

a 1v b
k22 ¼ k44 ¼ k66 ¼ k88 ¼ c þ
3b 6 a

b 1v a
k13 ¼ k57 ¼ c þ
3a 12 b

v 1v
k23 ¼ k14 ¼ k45 ¼ k36 ¼ k27 ¼ k67 ¼ k18 ¼ k58 ¼ c
4 8

a 1v b
k24 ¼ k68 ¼ c
6b 6 a

b 1v a
k35 ¼ k17 ¼ c
6a 6 b

a 1v b
k46 ¼ k28 ¼ c þ
3b 12 a
Et
c ¼
1 v2
(A) (B) (C)

100 lb 100 lb 100 lb
10 in 10 in 10 in
20 in 100 lb 20 in 100 lb 20 in 100 lb
FIGURE 10.29 Rectangular plate.
10.14 Consider a rectangular steel plate subjected to in-plane loads as shown in Fig. 10.29A. Using a single rectangular
plane stress element model (with the stiffness matrix given in Problem 10.13), find the stresses induced in the plate.
10.15 Find the stresses induced in the rectangular plate described in Problem 10.14 using two constant stress triangular
elements (described in Section 10.2) as shown in Fig. 10.29B.
10.16 Find the stresses induced in the rectangular plate described in Problem 10.14 using two constant stress triangular
elements (described in Section 10.2) as shown in Fig. 10.29C.
10.17 Consider a rectangular plate element under plane stress with nodal displacement degrees of freedom in the local (x, y)
and global (X, Y, Z) coordinate systems as indicated in Fig. 10.30. Find the coordinate transformation matrix [l] that
relates the two sets of degrees of freedom,
! !
u ¼ ½l U
81 812 121
in terms of the global coordinates of the four nodes of the element.

10.18 Find the stresses induced in the steel plate shown in Fig. 10.31 using a single triangular membrane element.
10.19 Consider a rectangular element in plane stress with four nodes and eight displacement degrees of freedom as shown
in Fig. 10.12. Instead of assuming a displacement variation model directly, the variations of stresses inside the
element can be assumed as
sxx ¼ a1 þ a2 y; syy ¼ a3 þ a4 x; axy ¼ a5
U3r
U3s
u8 u6
U3s −1 U3r − 1
r
s u5
4 u7 3
(0, b) (a, b)
U3r − 2
U3s−2
U3p U3q
u4
u2
U3q − 1
U3p− 1
p u3
1 u1 q 2
(0, 0) (a, 0)
Z
U3p−2
U3q−2
Y
0
X
FIGURE 10.30 Rectangular plate element in global XYZ system.
20 in
100 lb
10 in
25 in
where ai, i ¼ 1, 2, ., 5 are constants. Find the corresponding displacement distributions, u(x, y) and v(x, y), inside
the element by integrating the strainedisplacement relations.
10.20 The triangular membrane element shown in Fig. 10.32 has a thickness of t ¼ 0.2 cm. The (x, y) coordinates of the
nodes of the element are indicated next to the nodes in Fig. 10.32. The material of the element is aluminum with
E ¼ 71.0 GPa and v ¼ 0.33. If the element is in a state of plane stress, determine the following:
a. Shape functions of the element, Ni (x, y), Nj(x, y), and Nk(x, y)
b. Matrix [B] that relates the strains to the nodal displacements
c. Elasticity matrix [D] for plane
stress condition
d. Element stiffness matrix K ðeÞ
10.21 Assuming that the triangular membrane element described in Problem 10.20 is in a state of plane strain, determine
the following:
strain condition (see Eq. (8.24))
k (8, 7) cm
j
(1, 5) cm
Element
“e ”
i (2, 2) cm
10.22 For the element considered in Problem 10.20, determine the element nodal force vector due to a temperature in-
crease of 50 C. Assume that the element is in a state of plane stress.
crease of 50 C. Assume that the element is in a state of plane strain.
10.24 For the element described in Problem 10.20, determine the element nodal force vector as a result of the following
prestress: sxx0 ¼ 1000 N/m2, syy0 ¼ 1500 N/m2, and sxy0 ¼ 500 N/m2. Assume the element to be in a state of
plane stress.
prestress: sxx0 ¼ 1000 N/m2, syy0 ¼ 1500 N/m2, and sxy0 ¼ 500 N/m2. Assume the element to be in a state of
plane strain.
10.26 If the element described in Problem 10.20 is subjected to the distributed body forces fx0 ¼ 1000 N/m3 and
fy0 ¼ 2000 N/m3, determine the corresponding nodal force vector of the element.
10.27 For the element described in Problem 10.20, uniform surface tractions with magnitudes Fx0 ¼ 500 N/m2 and
Fy0 ¼ 1000 N/m2 act on the edge (face) ij. Determine the resulting nodal force vector of the element.
Fy0 ¼ 1000 N/m2 act on the edge (face) jk. Determine the resulting nodal force vector of the element.
Fy0 ¼ 1000 N/m2 act on the edge (face) ki. Determine the resulting nodal force vector of the element.
10.30 For the element considered in Problem 10.20, find the nodal force vector when a concentrated or point load

! Px0 1000
P0 ¼ ¼ N acts at a point located at (x0 ¼ 4 cm, y0 ¼ 4 cm) in the element.
Py0 500
10.31 For the element considered in Problem 10.20, linearly varying surface tractions act on the edge (face) ij. The magni-
tude of Fx0 varies linearly from Fx0i ¼ 500 Pa at node i to Fx0j ¼ 1500 Pa at node j while the magnitude of Fy0
varies linearly from Fy0i ¼ 500 Pa at node i to Fy0j ¼ 2000 Pa at node j as shown in Fig. 10.33. Determine the
corresponding nodal force vector of the element.
Hint: The magnitudes of the components of the surface tractions at any point on the edge ij can be expressed as
Fx0 ¼ Fx0i Ni þ Fx0j Nj and Fy0 ¼ Fy0i Ni þ Fy0j Nj.
10.32 For the element considered in Problem 10.20, linearly varying surface tractions act on the edge (face) jk. The
magnitude of Fx0 varies linearly from Fx0j ¼ 500 Pa at node j to Fx0k ¼ 1500 Pa at node k while the magnitude
of Fy0 varies linearly from Fy0j ¼ 500 Pa at node j to Fy0k ¼ 2000 Pa at node k. Determine the corresponding nodal
force vector of the element.
Φx 0j = 1500 Pa
Φy 0j = 2000 Pa
i
Φx 0i = 500 Pa
x
Φy 0i = 500 Pa
FIGURE 10.33 Surface traction on edge ij.
Hint: The magnitudes of the components of the surface tractions at any point on the edge jk can be expressed as
Fx0 ¼ Fx0jNj þ Fx0kNk and Fy0 ¼ Fy0jNj þ Fy0kNk.
10.33 For the element considered in Problem 10.20, linearly varying surface tractions act on the edge (face) ki. The
magnitude of Fx0 varies linearly from Fx0k ¼ 500 Pa at node k to Fx0i ¼ 1500 Pa at node i while the magnitude
of Fy0 varies linearly from Fy0k ¼ 500 Pa at node k to Fy0i ¼ 2000 Pa at node i. Determine the corresponding nodal
force vector of the element.
Hint: The magnitudes of the components of the surface tractions at any point on the edge ki can be expressed as
Fx0 ¼ Fx0kNk þ Fx0iNi and Fy0 ¼ Fy0kNk þ Fy0iNi.
10.34 Under a specific set of applied loads, the nodes of the element considered in Problem 10.20 undergo the following
displacements:
ui ¼ 0.00225 cm, vi ¼ 0.00350 cm, uj ¼ 0.00050 cm, vj ¼ 0.00200 cm, uk ¼ e0.00550 cm, and
vk ¼ 0.00600 cm
Find the strains and stresses induced in the element due to this displacement field. Assume the element to be in a
state of plane stress.
displacements:
ui ¼ 0.00225 cm, vi ¼ e0.00350 cm, uj ¼ 0.00050 cm, vj ¼ 0.00200 cm, uk ¼ 0.00550 cm, and
vk ¼ 0.00600 cm
state of plane strain.
10.36 The triangular membrane element shown in Fig. 10.34 has a thickness of t ¼ 0.1 in. The (x, y) coordinates of the
nodes of the element are indicated next to the nodes in Fig. 10.34. The material of the element is brass with
E ¼ 15.4 106 psi and v ¼ 0.32. If the element is in a state of plane stress, determine the following:
stress condition
10.37 Assuming that the triangular membrane element described in Problem 10.36 is in a state of plane strain, determine
the following:
strain condition (see Eq. (8.24))
k (2.5, 5.0) in
Element
“e ”
j
(1.0, 3.5) in
i (3.5, 2.0) in
FIGURE 10.34 Triangular membrane element.
crease of 100 F. Assume that the element is in a state of plane stress.
crease of 100 F. Assume that the element is in a state of plane strain.
prestress: sxx0 ¼ 800 psi, syy0 ¼ 500 psi, and sxy0 ¼ 750 psi. Assume the element to be in a state of plane stress.
prestress: sxx0 ¼ 800 psi, syy0 ¼ 500 psi, and sxy0 ¼ 750 psi. Assume the element to be in a state of plane strain.
10.42 If the element described in Problem 10.36 is subjected to the distributed body forces fx0 ¼ 200 lbf/in3 and
fy0 ¼ 100 lbf/in3, determine the corresponding nodal force vector of the element.
10.43 For the element described in Problem 10.36, uniform surface tractions with magnitudes Fx0 ¼ 750 psi and
Fy0 ¼ 750 psi act on the edge (face) ij. Determine the resulting nodal force vector of the element.
Fy0 ¼ 750 psi act on the edge (face) jk. Determine the resulting nodal force vector of the element.
Fy0 ¼ 750 psi act on the edge (face) ki. Determine the resulting nodal force vector of the element.
10.46 For the element considered in Problem 10.36, find the nodal force vector when a concentrated or point load

! Px0 250
P0 ¼ ¼ lbf acts at a point located at (x0 ¼ 20in, y0 ¼ 4 in) in the element.
Py0 750
10.47 For the element considered in Problem 10.36, linearly varying surface tractions act on the edge (face) ij. The magni-
tude of Fx0 varies linearly from Fx0i ¼ 200 psi at node i to Fx0j ¼ 1000 psi at node j while the magnitude of Fy0
varies from Fy0i ¼ 500 psi at node i to Fy0j ¼ 500 psi at node j. Determine the corresponding nodal force vector
of the element.
Hint: The magnitudes of the components of the surface tractions at any point on the edge ij can be expressed as
Fx0 ¼ Fx0iNi þ Fx0jNj and Fy0 ¼ Fy0iNi þ Fy0jNj.
10.48 For the element considered in Problem 10.36, linearly varying surface tractions act on the edge (face) jk. The
magnitude of Fx0 varies from Fx0j ¼ 200 psi at node j to Fx0k ¼ 1000 psi at node k while the magnitude of Fy0
varies from Fy0j ¼ 500 psi at node j to Fy0k ¼ 500 psi at node k. Determine the corresponding nodal force vector
of the element.
Hint: The magnitudes of the components of the surface tractions at any point on the edge jk can be expressed as
Fx0 ¼ Fx0jNj þ Fx0kNk and Fy0 ¼ Fy0jNj þ Fy0kNk.
10.49 For the element considered in Problem 10.36, linearly varying surface tractions act on the edge (face) ki. The
magnitude of Fx0 varies linearly from Fx0k ¼ 200 psi at node k to Fx0i ¼ 1000 psi at node i while the magnitude
of Fy0 varies from Fy0k ¼ 500 psi at node k to Fy0i ¼ 500 psi at node i. Determine the corresponding nodal force
vector of the element.
Hint: The magnitudes of the components of the surface tractions at any point on the edge ki can be expressed as
Fx0 ¼ Fx0kNk þ Fx0iNi and Fy0 ¼ Fy0kNk þ Fy0iNi..
displacements:
ui ¼ 0.00125 in, vi ¼ 0.00250 in, uj ¼ 0.00050 in, vj ¼ 0.00100 in, uk ¼ e0.00450 in, and vk ¼ 0.00500 in
state of plane stress.
displacements:
ui ¼ 0.00125 in, vi ¼ e0.00250 in, uj ¼ e0.00050 in, vj ¼ 0.00100 in, uk ¼ 0.00450 in, and vk ¼ 0.00500 in
state of plane strain.
10.52 Consider a rectangular element in plane stress state with the geometry shown in Fig. 10.35. The element is made of
aluminum with E ¼ 71.0 GPa and v ¼ 0.33 and has a thickness of 0.2 cm. Using the [B] matrix given in Problem
10.12 and the [D] matrix given in Eq. (10.15), find the element stiffness matrix using the relation
ZZZ
ðeÞ
K ¼ ½BT ½D½BdV (P.5)
V ðeÞ
s (4, 7) cm r (10, 7) cm
p (4, 3) cm q (10, 3) cm
FIGURE 10.35 Rectangular plate element.
Note
Perform the integration indicated in Eq. (P.5) by evaluating the integrand at the centroid of the element and treating the integrand
as a constant throughout the element.
10.53 Consider a rectangular element in plane strain state with the geometry shown in Fig. 10.35. The element is made of
aluminum with E ¼ 71.0 GPa and v ¼ 0.33 and has a thickness of 0.2 cm. Using the [B] matrix given in Problem
10.12 and the [D] matrix given in Eq. (8.24), find the element stiffness matrix using the relation
ZZZ
ðeÞ
K ¼ ½BT ½D½BdV (P.6)
V ðeÞ
Note
10.54 For the rectangular element considered in Problem 10.52 and Fig. 10.35, find the element nodal force vector due to
an increase in the temperature of the element by 50 C. Perform the needed integration by evaluating the integrand
at the centroid of the element and treating the integrand as a constant throughout the element. Assume a plane stress
condition for the element.
an increase in the temperature of the element by 50 C. Perform the needed integration by evaluating the integrand
at the centroid of the element and treating the integrand as a constant throughout the element. Assume a plane strain
condition for the element.
distributed body force given by fx0 ¼ 0 and fy0 ¼ erg where r is the density of the material and g is the acceleration
due to gravity. Assume the value of r as 2800 kg/m3 and g ¼ 981 m/s2. Perform the needed integration by evaluating
the integrand at the centroid of the element and treating the integrand as a constant throughout the element.
uniform surface tractions, with Fx0 ¼ 1000 Pa and Fy0 ¼ 500 Pa, applied on the edge (face) ij. Perform the
needed integration by evaluating the integrand at the centroid of the element and treating the integrand as a constant
throughout the element.
10.58 For the rectangular element considered in Problem 10.52 and Fig. 10.35, find the element nodal force vector when a
concentrated (point) load, with Px0 ¼ 100 N and Py0 ¼ 500 N, act at the point (x0 ¼ 4 cm, y0 ¼ 5 cm). Perform the
needed integration by evaluating the integrand at the centroid of the element and treating the integrand as a constant
throughout the element.
s (2, 9) in r (7, 9) in
p (2, 5) in q (7, 5) in
FIGURE 10.36 Rectangular plate element.
10.59 Consider a rectangular element in plane stress state with geometry shown in Fig. 10.36. The element is made of
brass with E ¼ 15.4 106 psi and v ¼ 0.32 and has a thickness of t ¼ 0.1 in. Using the [B] matrix given in Prob-
lem 10.12 and the [D] matrix given in Eq. (10.15), find the element stiffness matrix using the relation
ZZZ
ðeÞ
¼ ½B ½D½BdV
T
K (P.7)
V ðeÞ
Note
REFERENCES
[10.1] I.H. Shames, Mechanics of Deformable Solids, Prentice Hall of India, New Delhi, 1965.
[10.2] C.A. Felippa, Refined Finite Element Analysis of Linear and Nonlinear Two Dimensional Structures (Ph.D. dissertation), Department of Civil
Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, 1966.
[10.3] S. Timoshenko, S. Woinowsky-Krieger, Theory of Plates and Shells, second ed., McGraw-Hill, New York, 1959.
[10.4] J.L. Batoz, K.J. Bathe, L.W. Ho, A study of three-node triangular plate bending elements, International Journal for Numerical Methods in
Engineering 15 (1980) 1771e1812.
[10.5] J.L. Batoz, An explicit formulation for an efficient triangular plate bending element, International Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering
18 (1982) 1077e1089.
[10.6] A. Adini, R.W. Clough, Analysis of Plate Bending by the Finite Element Method, Report Submitted to the National Science Foundation, Grant,
G7337, 1960.
[10.7] F.K. Bogner, R.L. Fox, L.A. Schmit, The generation of interelement compatible stiffness and mass matrices by the use of interpolation formulas,
in: Proceedings of the First Conference on Matrix Methods in Structural Mechanics AFFDL-TR-66-80, November 1966, pp. 397e443.
[10.8] J.L. Tocher, Analysis of Plate Bending Using Triangular Elements (Ph.D. dissertation), University of California, Berkeley, 1962.
[10.9] A. Adini, Analysis of Shell Structures by the Finite Element Method (Ph.D. dissertation), Department of Civil Engineering, University of
California, Berkeley, 1961.
[10.10] G.R. Cowper, E. Kosko, G.M. Lindberg, M.D. Olson, Static and dynamic applications of a high-precision triangular plate element, AIAA Journal
7 (1969) 1957e1965.

Analysis of Plates: Chapter Outline

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Analysis of Plates: Chapter Outline

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Chapter 10

10.2 TRIANGULAR MEMBRANE ELEMENT

The Finite Element Method in Engineering. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-811768-2.00010-9 379

x A plate subjected to both

Yp ¼ Yi þ mij dip (10.24)

In the case of thermal loading, Eq. (10.34) becomes

By using Eq. (10.4), Eq. (10.36) can be rewritten as

FIGURE 10.3 A uniform plate under tensile load.

TABLE 10.1 Finite Element Results of the Cantilever Beam

*Ratio of finite element result and exact result.

a. Shape functions of the element:

EXAMPLE 10.1 dcont’d

c. Elasticity matrix [D]:

d. Stiffness matrix of the element [K(e)]:

Hence, Eq. (E.1) gives

EXAMPLE 10.5 dcont’d

10.3 NUMERICAL RESULTS WITH MEMBRANE ELEMENT

10.3.1 A Plate Under Tension

Local and global coordinates of a typical element “e ”

sYY ¼ sxx m2pk þ syy m2ij þ 2sxy mpk mij

sYY ¼ ¼ ¼ 2000 N cm2

TABLE 10.2 Computation of Stresses Inside the Elements

Displacements (cm) Stress Vector in Stress Vector in

In Global In Local syy N cm2 sYY N cm2

0.010 0.01273 1000 2000

0.000 0.00636 1000 0

5 0.001 0.0 1000 0

0.000 0.00778 1000 2000

TABLE 10.2 Computation of Stresses Inside the Elementsdcont’d

Displacements (cm) Stress Vector in Stress Vector in

In Global In Local syy N cm2 sYY N cm2

0.002 0.00636 1000 0

10.3.2 A Plate With a Circular Hole

Idealization III (N = 6) Idealization IV (N = 8)

TABLE 10.3 Stress Concentration Factors Given by Finite Element Method

Idealization (Fig. 10.7) Value of (sxx/p) at A Value of (syy/p) at B

10.3.3 A Cantilevered Box Beam

TABLE 10.4 Tip Deflection of Box Beam in Direction of Load

10.4 QUADRATIC TRIANGLE ELEMENT

vðx; yÞ ¼ a7 þ a8 x þ a9 y þ a10 x2 þ a11 xy þ a12 y2 (10.49)

v6 v (x, y) (x5, y5)

10.5 RECTANGULAR PLATE ELEMENT (IN-PLANE FORCES)

and [N(x, y)] is the matrix of shape functions given by

10.6 BENDING BEHAVIOR OF PLATES

The resulting equations can be written as

where D is called the ﬂexural rigidity of the plate and is given by

2. Clamped edge (along y ¼ constant):

3. Free edge (along y ¼ constant):

10.7 FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF PLATES IN BENDING

10.8 TRIANGULAR PLATE BENDING ELEMENT

q1 = w (x1, y1) = Q3i −2

FIGURE 10.17 Nodal degrees of freedom of a triangular plate in bending.

It can be seen that the evaluation of the element

10.9 NUMERICAL RESULTS WITH BENDING ELEMENTS

10.9.1 Rectangular Elements

Degrees of freedom at each node: w, (vw/vx), (vw/vy) [10.6].

(node numbering scheme shown in Fig. 4.16) [10.7].

10.9.2 Triangular Elements

Degrees of freedom at each node: w, vw/vx, vw/vy [10.8].

(The uniform twist term xy was neglected.)

þa10 xy2 þ a11 x4 þ a12 y4 þ a13 x3 y þ a14 xy3 þ a15 x2 y2

þa16 x5 þ a17 y5 þ a18 x4 y þ a19 xy4 þ a20 x3 y2 þ a21 x2 y3 (10.103)

10.9.3 Numerical Results