Thick/Thin Plates. Reissner-Mindlin Theory

Abstract

Kirchhoff plate elements studied in the previous chapter are restricted to thin plate situations only (thickness/average side ≤ 0.10). Also the C1 continuity requirement for Kirchhoff elements poses severe difficulties for deriving a conforming deflection field. These problems can be overcome by using the plate formulation due to Reissner [Re] and Mindlin [Mi] presented in this chapter.