ANALYSIS OF SKEW PLATES BY FINITE ELEMENT METHOD

Abstract

An attempt has been made to analyse skew plates by the finite element method. Stiffness matrices for parallelogram and triangular elements have been derived in the non-dimensional form which can be used for solution of orthotropic plates of various spans, angles of skew and properties. Taking advantage of symmetry and antisymmetry, skew plates simply supported on two opposite sides and free along the other two sides have been analysed for some typical span to width ratios and angles of skew, The deflections and moments computed have been compared with those that have been obtained by the finite difference method and experiiental results. A comparative study of the parallelogram and triangular elements has also been made. Necessity for finding suitable deflection pattern has been infered.