A Semi-Analytical Finite Strip for Continuous Plate Structures

Summary

A technique for analysing continuous rectangular plates is presented. Each span is divided into strips called panels. Displacement functions within these panels are chosen which satisfy the governing differential equation. In addition, displacements and normal moments are continuous between each panel. The coefficients describing the displacements are determined to stationarise a modified potential energy functional. The structure of the resulting equations is of computational importance. Owing to orthogonality relationships of sinusoidal functions used in the displacement functions, and by suitable ordering of unknowns, the equations may be solved using a condensation technique, preserving the advantages of finite strips for single simply supported spans. An example demonstrates the method.