A triangular finite difference scheme for large deflection problems

A lumped triangular element formulation is developed based on a finite difference approach for the large deflection analysis of plates and shallow shells. The presented formulation is independent of the boundary condition (unlike the finite difference formulation) and uses energy principles to derive a set of nonlinear algebraic equations which are solved by using an incremental Newton-Raphson iterative procedure. A study of the large deflection behaviour of thin plates is made for various edge conditions and aspect ratios, and the results obtained are compared with those using a finite element scheme. Representative nondimensional solutions for deflections and stresses are presented in the form of graphs.