Isoparametric finite difference energy method for plate bending problems

This paper incorporates the concept of isoparametry in finite difference energy method making it more powerful and versatile to tackle complex plate bending problems with curved boundaries. This approach overcomes the drawbacks of the finite difference energy method and its application to practical problems is now feasible. In order to estimate the accuracy and reliability of the present formulation several isotropic plates with a variety of planform are solved and the results are compared with the existing analytical and numerical solutions.