FOUNDATIONS OF CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

No. 9 2007

Michał GUMINIAK∗, Ryszard SYGULSKI

Institute of Structural Engineering, Piotrowo 5, 61-138 Poznań, Poland

THE ANALYSIS OF INTERNALLY SUPPORTED THIN

PLATES BY THE BOUNDARY ELEMENT METHOD.
PART 1 – STATIC ANALYSIS

Received: 16 December 2006

Accepted: 7 June 2007

A static analysis of Kirchhoff plates rested on the column supports has been pre-
sented in the paper. Using the proposed approach, there is no need to introduce
Kirchhoff forces at the plate corner and equivalent shear forces at the plate boundary
[14], [18], [19], [22]. Two unknown and independent variables have been considered at
the boundary element node. The boundary integral equation has been derived using the
Bettie theorem. The collocation points are located slightly outside a plate boundary,
hence the quasi-diagonal integrals of fundamental functions are non-singular [15], [18],
[19], [22]. The constant types boundary element have been used.

Key words: Boundary Element Method, Kirchhoff plates, fundamental solution

1. INTRODUCTION

Plates rested on internal supports are often used in building structures.

There are a lot of commercial computer programs based on the Finite Element
Method (FEM), but there are still some difficulties in modelling irregular
boundaries. Modelling skew plates requires high number of finite elements in
particular.
The Boundary Element Method (BEM) was created as a completely inde-
pendent numerical tool to solve engineering problems [1], [2]. The BEM does

∗
Corresponding author. Tel.: +48-61-665-2475; fax: +48-61-665-2059.
E-mail address: [email protected]

© Publishing House of Poznan University of Technology, Poznań 2007

ISSN 1642-9303
18 Michał Guminiak, Ryszard Sygulski

not require an all-domain discretization but only the boundary of a considered

structure. This method reduces the computational dimension by one.
The boundary element method is often used in the theory of both thin and
thick plates and is particularly suitable for the analysis of the plates of arbitrary
shapes and those rested on internal supports. Analysis of plate bending using
BEM was introduced by Bezine [4] and Stern [5] for Kirchhoff plate theory and
by Vander Weeën [7] for the thick plate theory. Okupniak and Sygulski [20]
used the fundamental solution of Reissner plate proposed by Ganowicz [3].
Some authors present a modified approach of the thin plate analysis. El-Zafrany,
Debbih and Fadhil [14] assumed a non-zero distribution of stress over the plate
thickness. Guminiak [19], [22], Guminiak, Okupniak and Sygulski [18] assumed
a physical boundary condition also discussed in this paper. Hartley [15] pro-
posed the BEM to solve similar problems.
Modelling of plate bending problem with internal plate supports requires
modification of governing boundary integral equation. There are two methods
known from literature, which are used to take the internal supports into consid-
eration. The most popular approach was proposed by Bèzine [6] in which, the
forces at the internal supports are treated as unknown variables. This technique
is also used by de Paiva and Venturini [8], [10], Hartmann and Zotemantel [9]
and Abdel-Akher and Hartley [12]. Katsikadelis et al. [13], Providakis and
Toungelidis [16] applied technique of Bezine to solve dynamic problems of a
thin plate. The second approach was proposed by Rashed [17] in application of a
coupled BEM-flexibility force method in bending analysis of plates with internal
supports.
This paper includes a modified formulation for bending analysis of plates
resting on column supports, in which three geometric and three static variables at
the plate boundary are considered. In this formulation there is no need to intro-
duce the equivalent shear forces at the boundary and concentrated forces at the
plate corners. Similar to Hartley [15], the source points were located slightly
outside a plate boundary, hence all of the quasi-diagonal integrals are non-
singular. The internal support was introduced using Bèzine techniques.

2. INTEGRAL FORMULATION OF THIN PLATE BENDING

On the plate boundary three static variables have been considered: the
shear force Tn , bending moment M n , torsional moment M ns and three geomet-
ric variables: deflection w , angle of rotation in normal direction ϕ n and angle of
rotation in tangent direction ϕ s . Only two of them are independent. The bound-
ary integral equation is derived using the Bettie theorem. Two plates are consid-
ered: infinite plate, subjected unit concentrated loading and the real one (Fig. 1).
 The analysis of internally supported thin plates…. Part 1 – Static analysis 19

The first group of the forces (infinite plate)

x1

* P*=1* Mn* -bending moment

w -deflection n
x2
x3
s
s x
ϕs -rotation angle
*
Mns* -torsional
in s direction y
moment
n s n

ϕn* -rotation angle Tn* -shear force

in n direction

Fig. 1a. Variables present in the boundary integral equation: infinite plate

The second group of the forces (real plate)

x1 Mn -bending moment
w -deflection
n
x2 Ri -column Ω p(y)
x3 reaction s
ϕs -rotation angle s x
Mns - torsional
in s direction y moment
n s n
ϕn -rotation angle
in n direction Tn -shear force

x = x (x1, x2) − the source point

y = y (x1, x2) − the field point

Fig. 1b. Variables present in the boundary integral equation: real plate
20 Michał Guminiak, Ryszard Sygulski

As a result the boundary integral equation are in the form

c (x) ⋅ w(x) + ∫ ⎡⎣Tn* ( y , x) ⋅ w( y ) − M n* (y , x) ⋅ ϕ n ( y ) − M ns* (y , x) ⋅ ϕ s ( y ) ⎤⎦ d Γ (y ) =

Γ

= ∫ ⎡⎣Tn ( y ) ⋅ w* (y , x) − M n ( y ) ⋅ ϕ n* (y , x) − M ns (y ) ⋅ ϕ s* ( y , x) ⎤⎦ ⋅ d Γ (y ) +
Γ (2.1)
m
− ∑ R j ⋅ w* ( j , x) + ∫ p (y ) ⋅ w* ( y , x) ⋅ d Ω (y ),
j =1 Ω

where the fundamental solution of biharmonic equation

1
∇4w = ⋅ δ (y − x ) , (2.2)
D

is given as a Green function

1 r2
w * (y , x ) = ln r , (2.3)
D 8π
for a thin isotropic plate, r = y − x , δ is Dirac delta and
E h3
D= , (2.4)
12 (1 − v 2 )

is a plate stiffness. The coefficient c(x) is assumed as:

• c(x) = 1 , when x is located inside the plate region,
• c(x) = 0.5 , when x is located on the smooth boundary,
• c(x) = 0 , when x is located outside the plate region.
The second equation can be derived by substituting of unit concentrated
force P * = 1* by unit concentrated moment M n* = 1* . It is equivalent to differenti-
ate the first boundary integral equation (2.1) on n direction in point x on a plate
boundary.

c ( x) ⋅ ϕ n ( x) + ∫ ⎡⎢T n ( y , x) ⋅ w( y ) − M n ( y , x) ⋅ ϕ n ( y ) − M ns ( y , x) ⋅ ϕ s ( y ) ⎤⎥ ⋅ d Γ ( y ) =
* * *

Γ
⎣ ⎦

= ∫ ⎡⎢Tn ( y , x) ⋅ w ( y , x) − M n ( y ) ⋅ ϕ n ( y , x) − M ns ( y ) ⋅ ϕ s ( y , x) ⎤⎥ ⋅ d Γ ( y ) +
* * *

Γ
⎣ ⎦ (2.5)
m
− ∑ R j ⋅ w ( j , x) + ∫ p ( y ) ⋅ w ( y , x) ⋅ d Ω( y ),
* *

j =1 Ω

where
 The analysis of internally supported thin plates…. Part 1 – Static analysis 21

{T n
*
( y, x ) , M n* ( y , x ) , M ns* ( y , x ) , w∗ ( y , x ) , ϕ n* ( y , x ) , ϕ s* ( y , x ) } =
∂
=
∂n( x)
{Tn* ( y , x ) , M n* ( y , x ) , M ns* ( y , x ) , w∗ ( y , x ) , ϕ n* ( y , x ) , ϕ s* ( y , x )} .
(2.6)

In the equations (2.1) and (2.5) the reaction in the column supports is ex-
pressed as a concentrated force. It is inconvenient, because the second derivative
of fundamental function w∗j (x1 , x2 ) goes to infinity. To eliminate this cause, it is
possible to substitute the reaction as a concentrated force R j , to uniformly dis-
tributed reaction on the surface of punch qrj . It could be equivalent to introduce
the surface with one collocation point (constant distribution of the reaction)
(Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b). If the column support has large dimensions in reference to
plate dimensions, several sub-surfaces can be introduced on the column surface
(Fig. 2c). To calculate the elements of the characteristic matrix, it is necessary to
integrate suitable fundamental functions on the column surface or sub-surfaces.
In the case of the column of an arbitrary shape (Fig. 2a) it is possible to use for-
mulas [11].

Fig. 2a Fig. 2b Fig. 2c

After discretization of a plate boundary using the elements of “constant”

type, the angle of rotation in tangent direction ϕ s = ∂w can be derived by
∂s
constructing differential expression using deflection of three neighbouring
nodes.
22 Michał Guminiak, Ryszard Sygulski

3. BOUNDARY CONDITIONS

3.1. Clamped boundary

The boundary conditions are formulated as follows:

⎧ w=0
⎪ϕ =0
⎪ n
⎨ . (3.1)
⎪ ϕs = 0
⎪⎩M ns = 0

The unknown variables are: the bending moment M n and the shear force
Tn (Fig. 3).

Mn
n

Tn

Fig. 3. Variables presented on a clamped edge

3.2. Simply supported boundary

The boundary conditions are formulated as follows:

⎧ w=0
⎪ ϕ =0
⎪ s
⎨ . (3.2)
⎪Mn = 0
⎪⎩M ns = 0
 The analysis of internally supported thin plates…. Part 1 – Static analysis 23

n ϕn

Tn

Fig. 4. Variables presented on a simply-supported edge

The unknown values are: the shear force Tn and the angle of rotation in
direction n, ϕ n (Fig. 4).

3.3. Free boundary

The boundary conditions are formulated as follows:
⎧ Tn = 0
⎪
⎨Mn = 0 . (3.3)
⎪M = 0
⎩ ns

ϕs
n ϕn

Fig. 5. Variables presented on a free edge

24 Michał Guminiak, Ryszard Sygulski

The unknown variables are: the deflection w and the angles of rotation
∂w
ϕ n , ϕ s (Fig. 5). Because the relation between ϕ s and w is known, ϕ s = ,
∂s
there are only two independent values: w and ϕ n . After discretization of a plate
∂w
boundary into constant elements having the same length, parameter (y ) can
∂s
be calculated approximately by constructing a differential expression using de-
flections of three neighbouring nodes (Fig. 6).

ϕs(i)

wi – 1 wi wi + 1

s
d d d

Fig. 6. Calculation of the angle of rotation in a tangent direction

Compareing with Fig. 6 we have

1
ϕ s(i ) = (wi+1 − wi−1 ) , (3.4)
2d
1⎛ 3 1 ⎞
ϕ s(i −1) = ⎜ − wi −1 + 2 wi − wi +1 ⎟ , (3.5)
d⎝ 2 2 ⎠

1 ⎛1 3 ⎞
ϕ s(i +1) = ⎜ wi −1 − 2 wi + wi +1 ⎟ . (3.6)
d ⎝2 2 ⎠

The expressions (3.5) and (3.6) are needed for the nodes located on the left and
right end of the free boundary.

4. CONSTRUCTION OF A SET OF ALGEBRAIC EQUATIONS

The plate is rested on the internal column supports and subjected by uni-
formly distributed loading p acting on the surface (Fig. 7a and 7b).
 The analysis of internally supported thin plates…. Part 1 – Static analysis 25

k+1 n-1

sk Ωr n

EX
nk k Er n+1

GX
k-1
Gr
δ
i+1 i-1
i
d
si
ni

Fig. 7a. Construction of a set of algebraic equation: characteristic matrix

k+1 n-1

n
sk

Fr
p Ω
nk k n+1

k-1 FX

δ
i-1
i+1 i
d si
ni

Fig. 7b. Construction of set of algebraic equation: right-hand-side vector

The elements of characteristic matrix: G X , EX , Gr and Er contain in-

tegrals of suitable fundamental functions depending on the type of boundary.
These integrals are calculated in local coordinate system ni , si and then trans-
26 Michał Guminiak, Ryszard Sygulski

formed to coordinate system nk , sk . The quasi-diagonal elements of characteris-

tic matrix were calculated analytically and the rest of them numerically using
12-point Gauss quadrature. The elements of right-hand-side vectors FX and Fr
are calculated according to [11]. Vector X contains boundary unknown vari-
ables dependent on suitable boundary conditions and vector q contains uni-
formly distributed reactions of the internal supports.
The set of algebraic equation can be written in the form

⎡GX Gr ⎤⎧ X ⎫ ⎧FX ⎫
⎢E ⎨ ⎬ = ⎨ ⎬. (4.1)
⎣ X Er ⎥⎦⎩qr ⎭ ⎩Fr ⎭

5. CALCULATION OF THE DISPLACEMENT

ON A PLATE SURFACE

The solution of the set of algebraic equation allowed to find suitable

boundary variables and reaction in a column supports. Basing on the same
boundary integral equation (2.1) it is possible to calculate displacement in an
arbitrary point of a plate surface (the collocation point is located inside plate
region, c(x) = 1 ). The displacement in an arbitrary point of a plate region is
given by the equation
w = w(X) + w(q r ) + w( p ) . (5.1)
Directly, from boundary integral equation (2.1) it is possible to obtain

w(x) = −∫ ⎡⎣Tn* (y, x) ⋅ w(y) − M n* (y, x) ⋅ ϕn (y) − M ns* (y, x) ⋅ ϕs (y)⎤⎦ d Γ(y) +
Γ

+ ∫ ⎡⎣Tn (y) ⋅ w* (y, x) − M n (y) ⋅ ϕn* (y, x) − M ns (y) ⋅ ϕs* (y, x) ⎤⎦ ⋅ d Γ(y) + (5.2)
Γ

− ∫ qrj (y) ⋅ w* (y, x) ⋅ d Ω(y) + ∫ p(y) ⋅ w* (y, x) ⋅ d Ω(y),

Ωr Ω

and after discretization of a plate boundary into finite number boundary elements
of constant type
le le le
w( x1, x2 ) = −∑wk ⋅ ∫ Tn∗ ⋅ dΓk + ∑ϕn ⋅ ∫ Mn∗ ⋅ dΓk + ∑ϕs ⋅ ∫ Mns∗ ⋅ dΓk +
k =1 Γk k =1 Γk k =1 Γk
le le m Lp
(5.3)
+∑Tn ⋅ ∫ w∗ ⋅ dΓk − ∑Mn ⋅ ∫ ϕn∗ ⋅ dΓk − ∑qrj ⋅ ∫ w* (i, x) ⋅ dΩr + ∑ p ⋅ ∫ w∗ ⋅ dΩ,
k =1 Γk k =1 Γ j =1 Ωr l =1 Ωl
 The analysis of internally supported thin plates…. Part 1 – Static analysis 27

where le is the number of boundary elements, m is the number of the column

supports and Lp is the number of uniformly distributed loadings acting on the
plate surface.

6. CALCULATION OF THE ANGLE OF ROTATION

ON A PLATE SURFACE

The boundary integral equation can also be used to calculate the angle of
rotation in an arbitrary point of a plate. It is necessary to differentiate this equa-
tion (2.1) with respect to suitable coordinates xi (i = 1, 2). The collocation point
is rested inside the plate region, c(x) = 1 . In each point of a plate two values of
angle of rotation are calculated in global coordinate system O, x1 , x2 . The angle
of rotation in an arbitrary point of a plate region is given by the equation

ϕ x j = ϕ x j ( X ) + ϕ x j (qr ) + ϕ x j ( p ) , j = 1, 2. (6.1)

Directly, from the boundary integral equation (2.5) it is possible to obtain

⎡ ∂Tn* ∂M n∗ ∂M ns* ⎤
ϕ (x) = −∫ ⎢ (y, x) ⋅ w(y) − (y, x) ⋅ ϕn (y) − (y, x) ⋅ ϕs (y)⎥ ⋅ d Γ(y) +
xj
Γ⎣
∂xi ∂xi ∂xi ⎦
⎡ ∂w* ∂ϕ * ∂ϕ * ⎤
+ ∫ ⎢Tn (y) ⋅ (y, x) − M n (y) ⋅ n (y, x) − M ns (y) ⋅ s (y, x)⎥ ⋅ d Γ(y) + (6.2)
Γ⎣
∂xi ∂xi ∂xi ⎦
∂w*
∂w*
− ∫ qri (y) ⋅ (y, x) ⋅ d Ω(y) + ∫ p(y) ⋅ (y, x) ⋅ d Ω(y),
Ωr
∂xi Ω
∂xi

and after discretization of a plate boundary into finite number boundary elements
of constant type
le
∂Tn∗ le
∂M ∗ le
∂M ∗
ϕx ( x1, x2 ) = −∑wk ⋅ ∫ ⋅ dΓk + ∑ϕn ⋅ ∫ n ⋅ dΓk + ∑ϕs ⋅ ∫ ns ⋅ dΓk +
j
k =1 Γk
∂xi k =1 Γk
∂xi k =1 Γk
∂xi
(6.3)
le
∂w ∗ le
∂ϕ∗ m
∂w* (i, x) Lp
∂w∗
+∑Tn ⋅ ∫ ⋅ dΓk − ∑Mn ⋅ ∫ n ⋅ dΓk − ∑qrj ⋅ ∫ ⋅ dΩr + ∑ p ⋅ ∫ ⋅ dΩ,
k =1 Γk
∂xi k =1 Γ
∂xi j =1 Ωr
∂xi l =1 Ωl
∂xi

where le is the number of boundary elements, m is the number of the column

supports and Lp is the number of uniformly distributed loadings acting on the
plate surface.
28 Michał Guminiak, Ryszard Sygulski

7. CALCULATION OF THE BENDING AND TWISTING

MOMENTS ON A PLATE SURFACE

To calculate the bending and twisting moment in an arbitrary point of a

plate it is necessary to differentiate suitable fundamental functions taking a stand
in the boundary integral equation (2.1). The second derivatives with respect to
coordinates x1 and x2 are calculated ( c(x) = 1 )

∂2 *
{
Tn ( x1 , x 2 ), M n* (x1 , x 2 ), M ns
*
(x1 , x2 ), w∗ (x1 , x2 ), ϕ n* (x1 , x2 ), ϕ s* (x1 , x2 ) , } (7.1)
∂x12

∂2 *
2
{
Tn (x1 , x2 ), M n* (x1 , x2 ), M ns
*
(x1 , x2 ), w∗ (x1 , x2 ), ϕ n* (x1 , x2 ), ϕ s* (x1 , x2 ) , } (7.2)
∂x2

∂2
∂x1∂x 2
{
Tn* (x1 , x 2 ), M n* (x1 , x 2 ), M ns
*
}
(x1 , x 2 ), w∗ (x1 , x 2 ), ϕ n* (x1 , x 2 ), ϕ s* (x1 , x 2 ) . (7.3)

Then, the bending and twisting moments can be expressed in a known form

⎛ ∂ 2 w(x1 , x2 ) ∂ 2 w(x1 , x2 ) ⎞
M x1 (x1 , x2 ) = − D⎜⎜ 2
+ v p 2
⎟,
⎟ (7.4)
⎝ ∂x1 ∂x 2 ⎠

⎛ ∂ 2 w(x1 , x2 ) ∂ 2 w(x1 , x2 ) ⎞
M x2 (x1 , x2 ) = − D⎜⎜ 2
+ v p 2
⎟,
⎟ (7.5)
⎝ ∂x 2 ∂x1 ⎠

) ∂ ∂wx(x∂x, x ) .
2
M x1x2 (x1 , x2 ) = − D 1 − vp ( 1 2
(7.6)
1 2

where w(x1 , x2 ) is the displacement in point x1 , x2 .

The bending moment can be expressed as
M x j = M x j (X ) + M x j (q r ) + M x j ( p ) , j = 1, 2 , (7.7)

and twisting moment:

M x1x2 = M x1x2 (X) + M x1x2 (q r ) + M x1x2 ( p ) . (7.8)
 The analysis of internally supported thin plates…. Part 1 – Static analysis 29

8. NUMERICAL EXAMPLES

The rectangular and skew plates rested on the column supports have been
considered. The results have been presented using non-dimensional parameters.
They are verified using paper [21] and finite element method to simplify the
accepted designations: x1 = x and x2 = y . The column supports cross-section is
assumed as an area with one collocation point.

8.1. A rectangular plate with all free edge under uniformly

distributed loading rested on six column supports

h1 x

Considered ¼
part of the plate

h2 h

h1

l1 l2 l2 l1

l
y
Fig. 8. A rectangular plate with all free edges rested on six column supports
under uniformly distributed loading

The plate properties and geometry:

p = const., vp = 0.167, h1 = l1, h2 = l2, l1/l = 0.1, l2/l = 0.4, ε = δ d = 0.01 .

The column support dimensions: a/l = 0.05

a

a
30 Michał Guminiak, Ryszard Sygulski

x
y

Fig. 9. A rectangular plate with all free edges under uniformly distributed loading.
Shape of deflection. 120 boundary elements

Table 1. Deflection-results of calculation. 120 boundary elements

( )
w ⋅ D pl 4 ⋅ 10 −3
y/h x/l 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0
present -0.1480 -0.0813 -0.0232 -0.0529 -0.1630 -0.2162
0.0
[21] -0.1510 -0.0910 -0.0240 -0.0530 -0.1490 -0.2260
present -0.0626 0.0009 0.0708 0.0385 -0.0614 -0.0129
0.1
[21] -0.0660 0.0010 0.0670 0.0350 -0.0630 -0.1320
present 0.0000 0.0701 0.1322 0.0997 0.000 -0.0629
1/6
[21] 0.0000 0.0670 0.1290 0.0970 0.000 -0.0640
present 0.0383 0.1040 0.1627 0.1309 0.0349 -0.0278
0.2
[21] 0.0350 0.1010 0.1600 0.1290 0.0330 -0.0290
present 0.1603 0.2031 0.2473 0.2198 0.1413 0.0806
0.3
[21] 0.1570 0.2000 0.2450 0.2180 0.1400 0.0760
present 0.2490 0.2766 0.3081 0.2845 0.2183 0.1603
0.4
[21] 0.2450 0.2730 0.3060 0.2830 0.2160 0.1550
present 0.2807 0.3036 0.3303 0.3081 0.2461 0.1871
0.5
[21] 0.2770 0.3000 0.3280 0.3060 0.2440 0.1840
 The analysis of internally supported thin plates…. Part 1 – Static analysis 31

x
y

Fig. 10. A rectangular plate with all free edges under uniformly distributed loading.
Shape of bending moment Mx. 120 boundary elements

Table 2. Bending moment Mx – results of calculation. 120 boundary elements

( )
M x pl 2 ⋅ 10−3
y/h x/l 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0
present -15.8540 0.0905 11.1368 7.6164 -3.5321 0.0000
0.0
[21] -14.9980 0.0560 10.6690 7.3360 -3.3880 0.0000
present -20.4515 1.1814 10.6252 7.6510 -6.7900 0.0000
0.1
[21] -20.3830 1.2480 10.6120 7.6860 -6.7590 0.0000
present -25.9701 2.0171 10.4020 7.8558 -10.3365 0.0000
1/6
[21] -26.0220 2.0940 10.4730 7.9460 -10.3060 0.0000
present -23.0925 2.0916 10.1714 7.7334 -8.8375 0.0000
0.2
[21] -23.1340 2.1550 10.2490 7.8290 -8.7380 0.0000
present -9.7866 1.7321 9.0824 6.9659 -1.5462 0.0000
0.3
[21] -9.7900 1.7650 9.1570 7.0720 -1.3820 0.0000
present -4.1733 1.9321 8.0382 6.6106 1.2386 0.0000
0.4
[21] -4.1670 1.9620 8.1170 6.7350 1.4510 0.0000
present -2.5894 2.1366 7.6416 6.5457 1.9710 0.0000
0.5
[21] -2.5800 2.1660 7.7210 6.6770 2.2020 0.0000
32 Michał Guminiak, Ryszard Sygulski

y x

Fig. 11. A rectangular plate with all free edges under uniformly distributed loading.
Shape of bending moment My. 120 boundary elements

Table 3. Bending moment My – results of calculation. 120 boundary elements

My (pl )⋅10
2 −3

y/h x/l 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0

present 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000
0.0
[21] 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000
present -5.6336 -1.9536 1.3210 0.1000 -3.0627 -2.4994
0.1
[21] -5.7130 -1.6830 1.2510 0.0920 -2.7950 -2.5830
present -17.4695 -1.6791 2.5000 0.5828 -9.3396 -2.6879
1/6
[21] -17.3980 -1.4150 2.7930 0.9940 -9.1410 -2.3560
present -12.3984 0.1000 3.5286 1.9552 -5.9476 -1.1432
0.2
[21] -12.2340 0.0740 3.9300 2.2970 -5.6100 -0.7530
present 8.2222 7.3550 7.9847 7.8061 8.1756 7.5489
0.3
[21] 8.4780 7.6460 8.3270 8.1530 8.4800 7.5340
present 15.0119 13.2482 11.9808 12,4736 13.8112 14.4011
0.4
[21] 15.3060 13.5570 12.3060 12.8010 14.1000 14.1130
present 16.9674 15.2280 13.5332 14.1020 15.5856 16.7052
0.5
[21] 17.2710 15.5420 13.8550 14.4240 15.9670 16.3360
 The analysis of internally supported thin plates…. Part 1 – Static analysis 33

8.2. A rectangular plate with all free edge under uniformly distrib-
uted loading rested on nine column supports

h1 x

Considered ¼
part of the plate h2

h2

h1

l1 l2 l2 l1
l
y

Fig. 12. A rectangular plate with all free edges rested on nine column supports
under uniformly distributed loading

The plate properties and geometry:

p = const., vp = 0.167, l1/ l = h1/ h = 0.1, l2 /l = h2 / h = 0.8, ε = δ d = 0.01 .

The column support dimensions: a/l = 0.05

a

a
34 Michał Guminiak, Ryszard Sygulski

x
y

Fig. 13. A rectangular plate with all free edges under uniformly distributed loading.
Shape of deflection. 120 boundary elements

Table 4. Deflection-results of calculation. 120 boundary elements

( )
w ⋅ D pl 4 ⋅ 10 −3
y/h x/l 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0
present -0.0204 0.0385 0.1040 0.0785 -0.0149 -0.8507
0.0
[21] -0.0210 0.0370 0.1000 0.0750 -0.0150 -0.0890
present 0.0000 0.0576 0.1145 0.0889 0.0000 -0.0714
0.1
[21] 0.0000 0.0560 0.1120 0.0870 0.0000 -0.0710
present 0.0331 0.0770 0.1259 0.1020 0.2153 -0.0524
0.2
[21] 0.0300 0.0740 0.1240 0.1000 0.0200 -0.0540
present 0.0445 0.0843 0.1312 0.1073 0.0287 -0.0464
0.3
[21] 0.0410 0.0810 0.1290 0.1050 0.0270 -0.0490
present 0.0241 0.0757 0.1294 0.1022 0.0152 -0.0577
0.4
[21] 0.0200 0.0720 0.1270 0.1000 0.0140 -0.0600
present 0.0000 0.0678 0.1273 0.0973 0.0000 -0.0669
0.5
[21] 0.0000 0.0640 0.1240 0.0950 0.0000 -0.0690
 The analysis of internally supported thin plates…. Part 1 – Static analysis 35

x
y

Fig. 14. A rectangular plate with all free edges under uniformly distributed loading.
Shape of bending moment Mx. 120 boundary elements

Table 5. Bending moment Mx – results of calculation. 120 boundary elements

( )
M x pl 2 ⋅ 10−3
y/h x/l 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0
present -15.5399 4.9428 9.6398 7.3013 -3.6767 0.0000
0.0
[21] -15.2900 5.4970 9.6030 7.2920 -3.4540 0.0000
present -19.0611 1.0289 9.0259 7.1911 -5.8568 0.0000
0.1
[21] -19.7210 1.1510 9.0220 7.2330 -5.7340 0.0000
present -10.6659 0.5336 8.3770 6.6511 -1.2792 0.0000
0.2
[21] -10.5560 0.5590 8.4280 6.7280 -1.1530 0.0000
present -8.6770 0.2179 8.2617 6.4306 -0.1000 0.0000
0.3
[21] -8.6480 0.2380 8.3230 6.5150 -0.0930 0.0000
present -13.7962 0.6845 8.9546 6.8413 -3.0058 0.0000
0.4
[21] -13.8100 0.7080 9.0200 6.9260 -2.9240 0.0000
present -26.0605 1.6480 9.4838 7.5016 -10.0421 0.0000
0.5
[21] -26.1250 1.7100 9.5530 7.5850 -9.9890 0.0000
36 Michał Guminiak, Ryszard Sygulski

x
y

Fig. 15. A rectangular plate with all free edges under uniformly distributed loading.
Shape of bending moment My. 120 boundary elements

Table 6. Bending moment My – results of calculation. 120 boundary elements

My (pl )⋅10
2 −3

y/h x/l 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0

present 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000
0.0
[21] 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000
present -0.9000 -0.1537 1.5129 0.8452 -4.3970 -0.2431
0.1
[21] -1.08930 -0.1650 1.6490 0.8690 -4.3260 -0.2040
present 4.0152 2.9617 2.8800 2.9778 3.6115 2.9480
0.2
[21] 4.1510 3.0390 3.0470 3.1450 3.7110 3.0870
present 6.0092 3.9353 3.0696 3.6422 4.8647 3.9616
0.3
[21] 6.0970 4.0320 3.1870 3.7660 4.9720 4.0800
present 0.1200 0.1203 1.5356 1.1245 0.7900 -0.3135
0.4
[21] 0.1320 0.1170 1.6300 1.2270 0.8840 -0.2670
present -.20.6125 -4.0324 0.4948 -1.4305 -11.8238 -4.8720
0.5
[21] -20.6020 -3.9740 0.5090 -1.3430 -11.7250 -4.6940
 The analysis of internally supported thin plates…. Part 1 – Static analysis 37

8.3. A skew plate with two free edges rested on two column supports
under uniformly constant loading

x l
I II
9

8
7

y 5 h
4

ϕ 2
1
A B C D E F G H I

Fig. 16. A skew plate with two simply-supported and free edges rested
on two column supports under uniformly distributed loading

The plate properties and geometry:

p = const., vp = 0.167, h/ l = 0.5, a /l = 0.05, ε = δ d = 0.01 , ϕ = 45 o .

The column support dimensions: a/l = 0.05

a

0.0

0.1

0.2

[w·D / pa4·10-3] 0.3

0.4

0.5

Distance [x/a]
0.6
0.1 0.3 0.5 0.7 0.9
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0

Fig. 17. Shape of deflection along edge I – II. 120 boundary elements
38 Michał Guminiak, Ryszard Sygulski

Fig. 18. Shape of deflection. 120 boundary elements

To verify the results obtained using the boundary element method, addi-
tional calculations were done and the finite element method was applied using
the PL-WIN computer program. Triangular plate elements with three nodes and
three degrees of freedom per node were applied. Figure 19 shows the finite ele-
ment mesh. 345 four-node parallelograms and 60 three-node triangle finite ele-
ments were taken.

h
y

ϕ = 45o

Fig. 19. The mesh of the finite element

 The analysis of internally supported thin plates…. Part 1 – Static analysis 39

Table 7. The skew plate – results of calculation. 120 boundary elements

Point 2B 3B 4B 5B 6B 7B 8B
wD/pl 4 present 0.0719 0.0801 0.1043 0.1474 0.2033 0.2591 0.3033
·10-3 FEM 0.0670 0.0804 0.1071 0.1473 0.2009 0.2612 0.3080
Mx /pl2 present 0.5966 0.5614 0.7637 1.0368 1.1946 1.1714 0.9794
·10 -2 FEM 0.5600 0.5800 0.7775 1.0375 1.1950 1.1825 0.9975
My /pl2 present 0.1977 0.2420 0.0805 -0.0742 -0.8974 -0.0112 0.0563
·10-2 FEM 0.2225 0.2575 0.0875 -0.0725 -0.8750 -0.0500 0.0425
Mxy /pl2 present -0.4369 -0.4543 -0.5132 -0.4869 -0.3917 -0.2857 -0.1615
·10 -2 FEM -0.4150 -0.4350 -0.5025 -0.4725 -0.3825 -0.2925 -0.1925
Point 2C 3C 4C 5C 6C 7C 8C
wD/pl 4 present 0.0645 0.0791 0.0966 0.1372 0.2218 0.3372 0.4561
·10-3 FEM 0.0629 0.0804 0.0938 0.1339 0.2210 0.3348 0.4554
Mx /pl2 present 0.3394 0.4232 0.3324 0.5748 1.0694 1.3962 1.5154
·10 -2 FEM 0.3300 0.4250 0.3525 0.5650 1.08000 1.3925 1.5075
My /pl 2 present 0.0300 0.2801 0.3650 0.1011 -0.0889 0.0829 0.0668
·10-2 FEM 0.0475 0.3125 0.3775 0.0875 -0.0725 0.0750 0.0975
Mxy /pl2 present -0.2284 -0.2525 -0.4915 -0.7511 -0.6909 -0.5222 -0.3853
·10 -2 FEM -0.2450 -0.2600 -0.4800 -0.7350 -0.6800 -0.5150 -0.3925
Punkt 2D 3D 4D 5D 6D 7D 8D
wD/pl 4 present 0.0181 0.0208 0.0426 0.0491 0.0825 0.2039 0.3791
·10-3 FEM 0.0208 0.0214 0.0429 0.0496 0.0804 0.2076 0.3813
Mx /pl2 present -1.1699 -0.1403 -0.0322 -0.4885 -0.4308 0.5381 1.1193
·10-2 FEM -1.1875 -0.1375 -0.0100 -0.4350 -0.4525 0.54250 1.1100
My /pl 2 present -0.4402 -0.3818 0.1599 0.2222 -0.4811 -0.5296 -0.1158
·10-2 FEM -0.5700 -0.3275 0.1500 0.2250 -0.5150 -0.5100 -0.0800
Mxy /pl 2 present -0.4530 0.0444 0.1860 -0.1389 -0.7811 -0.5490 -0.4591
·10 -2 FEM -0.4500 0.0325 0.1525 -0.1325 -0.7700 -0.5300 -0.4375
Point 2E 3E 4E 5E 6E 7E 8E
wD/pl 4 present 0.1395 0.0000 0.0012 0.0182 0.0012 0.0000 0.1395
·10-3 FEM 0.1473 0.0000 0.0029 0.0181 0.0029 0.0000 0.1473
Mx /pl2 present -0.8550 -3.0707 -0.8272 -0.2923 -0.8272 -3.0707 -0.8550
·10 -2 FEM -0.8325 -2.7850 -0.8750 -0.2850 -0.8750 -2.7850 -0.8325
My /pl 2 present -0.4915 -2.5892 -0.4427 0.04020 -0.4427 -2.5892 -0.4915
·10-2 FEM -0.5500 -2.3900 -0.4725 0.04000 -0.4725 -2.39000 -0.5500
Mxy /pl2 present -0.0897 -0.2117 0.45093 0.51940 0.45094 -0.21169 -0.0897
·10 -2 FEM -0.0925 -0.2625 0.40250 0.51250 0.40250 -0.2625 -0.0925
40 Michał Guminiak, Ryszard Sygulski

9. CONCLUSIONS

The most important in the boundary integral equation formulation is the

reduction of computational dimension by one. Three-dimensional problems are
solved as two-dimensional ones. Static analysis of thin plates resting on a col-
umn supports using the boundary element method has been presented. In this
formulation, there is no need to introduce the Kirchhoff forces at a plate corners
and the equivalent shear forces at a plate boundary. The collocation version of
the boundary element method with constant elements and non-singular calcula-
tions of integrals have been employed. The source points of the boundary ele-
ments are located slightly outside a plate boundary, hence all of the integrals of
the fundamental function are non-singular. The constant type boundary element
has been introduced. The displayed boundary element results demonstrate the
effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed. This method can also be applied in
static analysis of plates resting on the elastic foundation and the analysis of plate
free vibration. Obtained BEM numerical results have been compared with ana-
lytical and FEM numerical ones.

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