Plates and FEM: Surprises and Pitfalls (Solid Mechanics and Its Applications (171))

This textbook aims to be the bridge between plate theory and FE-software. Structural engineers must translate elastic analysis results into economic structure dimensions and reinforcement, which raises difficulties. Not all engineers are well enough equipped for the increasingly easy-to-use powerful programs. The problem is not lack of FE-knowledge, but rather ignorance of plate behaviour. Therefore, this book starts with classical plate theory for membrane and bending states, and proceeds to FE-practice. This volume can be used for university courses, serving as practical preparation for the engineering profession, and as a guide to structural designers. The Finite Element Method, shortly FEM, is a widely used computational tool in structural engineering. For basic design purposes it usually suf ces to apply a linear-elastic analysis. Only for special structures and for forensic investigations the analyst need to apply more advanced features like plasticity and cracking to account for material nonlinearities, or nonlinear relations between strains and displacements for geometrical nonlinearity to account for buckling. Advanced analysis techniques may also be necessary if we have to judge the remaining structural capacity of aging structures. In this book we will abstain from such special cases and focus on everyday jobs. Our goal is the worldwide everyday use of linear-elastic analysis, and dimensioning on basis of these elastic computations. We cover steel and concrete structures, though attention to structural concrete prevails. Structural engineers have access to powerful FEM packages and apply them intensively. Experience makes clear that often they do not understand the software that they are using. This book aims to be a bridge between the software world and structural engineering. Many problems are related to the correct input data and the proper interpretation and handling of output. The book is neither a text on the Finite Element Method, nor a user manual for the software packages. Rather it aims to be a guide to understanding and handling the results gained by such software. We purposely restrict ourselves to structure types which frequently occur in practise. Front Matter....Pages i-xxvi Front Matter....Pages 1-1 Plate Membrane Theory....Pages 3-17 Applications of the Plate Membrane Theory....Pages 19-46 Thick Plates in Bending and Shear....Pages 47-80 Thin Plates in Bending....Pages 81-102 Rectangular Plate Examples....Pages 103-122 Circular Membrane Plates....Pages 123-142 Circular Thin Plates in Bending....Pages 143-155 Front Matter....Pages 158-158 Discrete Model for Membrane Analysis....Pages 159-167 Discrete Model for Plate Bending....Pages 169-186 Front Matter....Pages 188-188 FEM Essentials....Pages 189-197 Handling Membrane FEM Results....Pages 199-218 Understanding FEM Plate Bending....Pages 219-235 FE Analysis for Different Supports....Pages 237-250 Handling Peak Moments....Pages 251-274 Sense and Nonsense of Mindlin....Pages 275-290 Reinforcement Design Using Linear Analysis....Pages 291-318 Special Slab Systems....Pages 319-336 Special Topics and Trends....Pages 337-353 Case History of Cable-Stayed Wide-Box Bridge....Pages 355-371 Front Matter....Pages 374-374 Shape-Orthotropic Membrane Rigidities....Pages 375-384 Front Matter....Pages 374-374 Orthotropic Plates in Bending and Shear....Pages 385-404 Back Matter....Pages 405-413 "This textbook aims to be the bridge between plate theory and FE-software. Structural engineers must translate elastic analysis results into economic structure dimensions and reinforcement, which raises difficulties. Not all engineers are well enough equipped for the increasingly easy-to-use powerful programs. The problem is not lack of FE-knowledge, but rather ignorance of plate behaviour. Therefore, this book starts with classical plate theory for membrane and bending states, and proceeds to FE-practice."--Jacket