Analysis of Curved Plate Elements using Open Source Software
Abstract
Analysis of curved plate elements requires a high
computational effort to obtain a reliable solution for a buckling
load for design purposes. Available programs are expensive to
acquire and they need thorough knowledge for effective use.
There is therefore need to code cheaper and accessible programs
in line with using sustainable methods to better the livelihood of
mankind. To address this issue a theory is formulated based on
the Euler-Bernoulli beam model. This model is applicable to thin
elements which include plate and membrane elements.
This paper illustrates a finite element theory to calculate the
master stiffness of a curved plate. The master stiffness takes into
account the stiffness, the geometry and the loading of the
element. The determinant of this matrix is established from
which the buckling load which is unknown in the matrix is
evaluated by the principal of bifurcation.
The curved element is divided into 2,3,6,9 and 12 elements;
this demonstrates the computational effort to a reliable solution.
As expected, that as you divide the curve into smaller constituent
elements, the solution of the buckling load is tedious as more
mathematical operations are involved hence the need to program
the operations.
Numerical analysis is carried out by abstracting the
procedural development of the theory and programming it to run
in a visual basic platform. The results obtained are giving a good
agreement with results obtained with classical plate equations.
This program is proposed to increase computational efficiency in
the analysis of curved plates at a sustainable cost. It can also be
used to establish the relationship between buckling load and
curvature of plates.
