The Collapse Load of Plates by Hierarchical C<sup>0</sup>-Plate Element

Abstract

Although a structural analysis of plates based on the linear elastic theory yields good results for deformations and stresses produced by working loads, it fails to assess the real load-carrying capacities of plates on the verge of yielding. In the case of a limit analysis of plates, the yield line theory is widely used on the basis of the upper bound theorem and theoretically it overestimates the strength of plates. That is why the p-version of the finite element method has been proposed for determining the accurate limit load of plates causing collapse. In this method, the hierarchical Co -plate element for bending of elastic-plastic plates accounting for transverse shear effects has been formulated, and is based on the incremental theory of plasticity and the Reissner-Mindlin plate theory. The numerical results are presented for a variety of rectangular plate problems and are compared to the results obtained by the h-version software ADINA, as well as with the available analytical solutions in literature.