Versatile finite strip method for plate bending

Abstract

A versatile finite strip model for plate bending capable of dealing with plates continuous over rigid supports, in both directions, is developed. The model considers a rectangular finite strip with two degrees of freedom at each of the four corner nodes. The displacements in x-direction are represented by polynomials while in y-direction by specially developed series functions which afford the desired con-tinuity of the plate over rigid supports. The interpolation surfaces for each degree of freedom are defined as products of appropriate functions in each direction. Beyond this, virtual work formulation yields the stiffness matrix equation of the structure. The results of analysis from the model are compared with those available in literature and ones obtained from finite element models. The method affords accurate results with a coarse mesh size.