Abstract:
In this thesis, a new concept of finite strip elements is introduced.
Lagrangian, Hermitian and spline-type interpolations have been
used independently along the two axes of the plate mid-plane.
Different plate-bending theories; Mindlin, Reissner and Kirchhoff
theories have been applied in the derivations of the new finitestrip
elements, for isotropic and composite materials. The new
elements have also been extended to work as faceted shell
elements for the analysis of cylindrical shells, folded plates and
stiffened plates.
An efficient modular programming package based on those
elements was designed, and it is capable of performing linear and
non-linear stress analysis, buckling analysis and natural frequency
analysis. The modular package, which was coded in FORTRAN
has different solvers and a built-in mesh generator for different
types of plate structures.
A number of case studies have been employed for the validation
of the package and testing its different capabilities. The package
has proved to be an efficient tool for numerical modelling of
plates, cylindrical shells, folded plates and stiffened plates made
of isotropic and composite layered materials.
