Nonlinear Numerical Model of Thin Plates

Abstract

The article deals with nonlinear analysis of the thin plates. Nonlinear numerical shell model, whose flexural state is based on the Germain-Kirchhoff theory, takes into account geometrical nonlinearity. Material model of the flat shell finite element is isotropic elastic material. The material is defined by the Poisson's coefficient υ and Young modulus of elasticity E.The geometrical nonlinear numerical model of the space surface structures is presented in short. The numerical model is implemented in the software made in the program language Fortran. As the result of the calculation program gives the space equilibrium path of the desired node, shows the state of the stress field of the surface structure and gives the deformation of the whole structure in each incremental step.The model application on the surface elements is illustrated by the thin square plate structure. The plate is discretised with the surface finite element. The minimal acceptable finite element discretisation is taken into account. More density discretisation gives more accurate results.The results, made by commercial software or by another authors or by the theory, are compared with this one.