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Finite prism analysis of plates and shells
Author(s) -
Wong Carlos C. K.,
Vardy Alan E.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
international journal for numerical methods in engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.421
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1097-0207
pISSN - 0029-5981
DOI - 10.1002/nme.1620210311
Subject(s) - triangular prism , finite element method , prism , offset (computer science) , beam (structure) , torsion (gastropod) , deck , structural engineering , optics , engineering , physics , computer science , medicine , surgery , programming language
The finite prism technique introduced by Zienkiewicz and Too 4 is extended to include 12‐node prism elements and, more importantly, a novel offset beam element. The use of 12‐node prism elements enables parabolic strain distributions to be simulated, this being useful for structures which have strongly tapered cross‐sections. The offset beam element is used to simulate flexure and torsion of a beam whose centroid is offset from the main structure. The element is specified completely at the nodes of adjacent prism elements and so is not really an ‘element’ in the usual sense. The analysis is applied to thin and thick plates and to shells, with and without edge beams. It is shown to be more versatile than the finite strip method and it requires smaller computer resources than the finite element method. Experimental verification of the analysis is obtained by comparison with measurements for a double‐T bridge deck tested by Loo 14 .