Stress singularity analysis in space junctions of thin plates

Abstract

The stress singularity in space junctions of thin linearly elastic isotropic plate elements with zero bending rigidities is investigated. The problem for an intersection of infinite wedge-shaped elements is considered first and the solution for each element, being in the plane stress state, is represented in terms of holomorphic functions (Kolosov–Muskhelishvili complex potentials) in some weighted Hardy-type classes. After application of the Mellin transform with respect to radius, the problem is reduced to a system of linear algebraic equations. By use of the residue calculus during the inverse Mellin transform, the stress asymptotics at the wedge apex is obtained. Then the asymptotic representation is extended to intersections of finite plate elements. Some numerical results are presented for a dependence of stress singularity powers on the junction geometry and on membrane rigidities of plate elements.