7.

2 Plate Finite Elements

Plate elements must be able to show constant x, y and xy at each z level to pass a patch test. They must pass the test for constant Mx, My and Mxy. Kirchhoff elements can be implemented with 12 dof elements.

However, they are awkward to use because of the question of how to handle the twist dof.
MEEM4405 Introduction to Finite Element Analysis

Plate Finite Elements

Mindlin plate elements are more common. The displacement interpolation is given by:

Ni can be the same shape functions as for Q4 and Q8 quadrilateral elements.

MEEM4405 Introduction to Finite Element Analysis

Large Displacements and Membrane Forces

A beam with fixed supports will exhibit string action axial forces as shown.

If we consider both string action and bending stresses, a beam can carry a distributed load of:

MEEM4405 Introduction to Finite Element Analysis

Large Displacements and Membrane Forces

A similar situation arises with plates, however linear plate elements are not set up to handle membrane forces. If w/t is large (e.g. greater than 0.1), a nonlinear analysis must be performed using elements that handle membrane forces. In general, however, tensile membrane forces will have a stiffening effect and compressive membrane forces will decrease stiffness.
MEEM4405 Introduction to Finite Element Analysis

Thin Plate Formulation

These stresses give rise to moments:

Maximum stresses are therefore given by:

6M x 2z since x = x , 2 t t 6M This is similar to the beam formula, y = 2 y , but since the plate is very wide we t have a situation similar to plain 6M xy = 2 xy strain. Flexural rigidity D=EI=Et3/12 t with EI=Et3/12, but since strain it is

x =

MEEM4405 Introduction to Finite Element Analysis

very wide (like

Thin Plate Formulation

This is similar to the beam formula, but since the plate is very wide we have a situation similar to plain strain. For a unit width beam, flexural rigidity D=EI=Et3/12. For a unit width plate, flexural rigidity D=EI/(1-2)=Et3/[12(1-2)]. This thin plate theory is also called the Kirchhoff plate theory.
MEEM4405 Introduction to Finite Element Analysis

7. Plates and Shells

MEEM4405 Introduction to Finite Element Analysis

7.1 Plate Formulation

Plates may be considered similar to beams, however:
Plates can bend in two directions and twist Plates must be flat (or else they are shells)

For thin plate on z = 0 plane, with thickness t, and neglecting shear strain:
w = w( x, y ) w u = z x w v = z y

yz = zx = 0

MEEM4405 Introduction to Finite Element Analysis

Thin Plate Formulation

A differential slice from plate:

MEEM4405 Introduction to Finite Element Analysis

Thin Plate Formulation

For the thin plate, we assume z = 0. Therefore:

MEEM4405 Introduction to Finite Element Analysis

Mindlin Plate Theory

Mindlin Plate Theory assumes that transverse shear deformation occurs.

MEEM4405 Introduction to Finite Element Analysis

Mindlin Plate Theory

The deformations and strains are therefore given by:

MEEM4405 Introduction to Finite Element Analysis

Plate Finite Elements

Discrete Kirchhoff Elements are also available as triangular elements.

MEEM4405 Introduction to Finite Element Analysis

Support Conditions
Support Conditions are similar to those for beams:

n, Mn rotation and moment normal to edge s, Ms rotation and moment perpendicular to edge

For Mindlin plates, do not restrain n, to avoid accuracy problems.

MEEM4405 Introduction to Finite Element Analysis

Test Cases
For plate elements, patch tests and single element tests include the cases shown

Many element formulations perform poorly for these tests.

MEEM4405 Introduction to Finite Element Analysis

7.4 Shells and Shell Theory

Shell elements are different from plate elements in that:
They can be curved They carry membrane and bending forces

A thin shell structure can carry high loads if membrane stresses predominate. However, localized bending stresses will appear near load concentrations or geometric discontinuities.
MEEM4405 Introduction to Finite Element Analysis

Shells and Shell Theory

Localized bending stresses

MEEM4405 Introduction to Finite Element Analysis

Shells and Shell Theory

For a cylindrical shell of radius R and thickness t, the localized bending dies out after a distance : Membrane stresses do not die out.

MEEM4405 Introduction to Finite Element Analysis

7.5 Shell Finite Elements

The most simple shell elements combine a membrane element and bending element. E.g. combining plane stress and plate elements. These elements are flat. When flat elements, it is important that elements are not all coplanar where they meet at a node.

MEEM4405 Introduction to Finite Element Analysis

Shell Finite Elements

Curved shell elements can be derived from shell theory Isoparametric shell elements can also be obtained by starting with a solid element and reducing degrees of freedom. Thin shell behavior varies widely between formulations and should be tested before use.
MEEM4405 Introduction to Finite Element Analysis

10

Shells of Revolution
In axisymmetric problems, shells resemble beam elements. Conical elements have problems similar to flat shell elements.

MEEM4405 Introduction to Finite Element Analysis

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