Development of Computer Programs for Analysis of Single Panel and Continuous Rectangular Plates

ABSTRACT

This research work is aimed at the development of computer programs using MATLAB based on the new polynomial shape functions, for analysis of single panel and continuous thin isotropic rectangular plates. Twelve single panel plate types of different boundary conditions namely SSSS, CCCC, CSSS, CSCS, CCSS, CCCS, SSFS, SCFS, CSFS, CCFS, SCFC and CCFC for aspect ratio, s= b/a, were analyzed for pure bending, buckling and free vibration using computer programs developed in this work. Expressions were derived and MATLAB codes were applied systematically to develop the programs. Furthermore, both one-way and two-ways continuous plates were analyzed for fixed edge and support moments. These continuous plates were divided into single panels, strip sections were taken and analyzed manually using stiffness method, for support and span moments. After which programs were developed for analyzing the continuous plates. For single panel plates, the values of 'u','α' ,'β', 'β1' 'δ' and 'δ1' been coefficients of amplitude, deflection, center moments in x- and y- directions, and shear force in x- and y- direction respectively, were obtained for aspect ratio of 1.0, 1.2,1.4, 1.5,1.6 and 2.0, for each plate condition. For instance, for aspect ratio1.0, the values 'u', 'α', 'β', 'β1' 'δ' and 'δ1' for SSSS plate obtain are 0.04236, 0.00414, 0.05163, 0.05163, 0.07491, and 0.37491 respectively. Also values of 'n' and 'ƒ' been coefficients of critical buckling load and fundamental natural frequency respectively were obtained. The values for 'n' and 'ƒ' for aspect ratio of 1.0 for SSSS plate, are 39.508 and 19.749 respectively. To validate the values, these coefficients were compared with existing literatures, and the percentage differences were insignificant, hence considered adequate. For continuous plate, the results from both the manual and computer programs developed were compared, and were found to have percentage differences of less than 1%, indicating that they are very close to each other. Hence, consider adequate. Therefore, the conclusion that, the developed computer programs are adequate, easy, quicker and accurate way of analyzing Thin Rectangular Single Panel Isotropic Plates and Continuous Plates, and also that, polynomial shape functions are adequate and less cumbersome for analysis of Continuous plates.

Key Words: Ritz equation, Total energy functional, Pure bending, Polynomial series, Shape functions, Critical buckling load, Fundamental frequencies, Single panel plate, Continuous plate, MATLAB and Computer Program.