Large deflection analysis of plates and shells by discrete energy method

The discrete energy method—a special form of finite difference energy approach—is presented as a suitable alternative to the finite element method for the large deflection elastic analysis of plates and shallow shells of constant thickness. Strain displacement relations are derived for the calculation of various linear and nonlinear element stiffness matrices for two types of elements into which the structure is discretized for considering separately energy due to extension and bending and energy due to shear and twisting. Large deflection analyses of plates with various edge and loading conditions and of a shallow cylindrical shell are carried out using the proposed method and the results compared with finite element solutions. The computational efforts required are also indicated.