A finite element, linear programming methods for the limit analysis of thin plates

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Finite elements having linear moment distributions and use of linearized yield criteria allow one to determine lower bounds to the collapse load of thin plates as solutions of linear programs.The method is quite general and rigorously meets the requirement of the lower bound theorem of limit analysis for concentrated or line load distributions. Ways of treating distributed surface loads are also discussed and tested.Actual bounds are computed for a variety of plate problems governed by Tresca yield criterion and compared with previous solution obtained from higher order stress elements and non‐linear optimization techniques. The comparison shows that the present method can yield accurate bounds with considerably shorter computer times and relatively small number of elements. Additional tests show that numerical convergence to the limit loads is assured by suitable refinement of the mesh pattern.

This publication has 9 references indexed in Scilit: