Boundary element analysis of unilateral supported Reissner plates on elastic foundations

• Published in: Computational mechanics Vol. 27; no. 1; pp. 1 - 10
• Main Author: XIAO, J. R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Heidelberg Springer 01.01.2001; Berlin Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Boundary conditions; Boundary element method; Boundary integral method; Boundary-integral methods; Computational techniques; Contact force; Exact sciences and technology; Exact solutions; Foundations; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Half spaces; Integral equations; Mathematical methods in physics; Mathematical programming; Mechanical contact (friction...); Physics; Solid mechanics; Structural and continuum mechanics; Subgrades; Thick plates; Tribology and mechanical contacts; Boundary integral method; Mechanical contact; Numerical method; Thick plate; Linear complementarity problem; Half space; Three dimensional model; Contact stress; Unilateral; Elastic foundations; Reissner membrane; Boundary element method; Mathematical programming
• ISSN: 0178-7675; 1432-0924
• DOI: 10.1007/s004660000207

A boundary element–linear complementary equation method (BE–LCEM) is developed for the bending of thick plates with free edges on unilateral elastic foundations with particular emphasis on the non-contact phenomenon between the plates and the subgrades. The theory of thick plate was used, and three boundary conditions on free edge have been adopted. Following numerical discretization by using the boundary integral equation method for this contact problem, an effective linear complementary equation is then established with two complementary variables for each contact node. Complementary variables are taken as the normal contact force and the relative deflection between the plate and the foundation. The solution of which can be obtained using mathematical programming. A number of examples are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the features as implemented. Two types of foundations (Winkler and half-space) are examined and the method is shown to provide good agreement with available analytical solutions obtained by other investigators.