FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS

IN STRUCTURES

Chapter 8
PLATE BENDING

Zahit Mecitoğlu

© 2007 İstanbul Technical University

BENDING BEHAVIOR
„ Plate Bending: A thin plate is subjected to forces
in a direction normal to its own plane, it bends.
Beam bending: 1-D problem
Plate bending : 2-D problem
„ In this section:
… Displacement field of a thin plate
… Strain-displacement relations
… Generalized stresses and strains, constitutive
relations
… Differential equations of equilibrium
ASSUMPTIONS
1. The material of the plate is elastic, homogeneous, and
isotropic.
2. The plate is initially flat.
3. The thickness of the plate is small compared to its other
dimensions.
4. The deflections are small compared to the plate thicknesses.
5. The slopes of the deflected middle surface are small
compared to unity.
6. The deformations are such that straight lines, initially
normal to the middle surface, remain straight lines and
normal to the middle surface.
7. The deflection of the plate is produced by displacement of
points of the middle surface normal to its initial plane.
8. The stresses normal to the middle surface are of a negligible
order of magnitude.
9. The strains in the middle surface produced by inplane forces
can usually be neglected in comparison with strains due to
bending (inextensional plate theory)
DISPLACEMENT FIELD
z
v

z ∂w
∂y
u

z ∂w
∂x

y
x
∂w ∂w
„ 6th assumption requires u = −z v = −z
∂x ∂y
STRAIN & STRESS COMPONENTS
z,w y, v

σx, εx
x,u
dz
σx, εx
t/2
σy, εy τxy, γxy
z midplane Mxy
Mxx
Myy

t/2 Myx Qx

1
1
STRAIN-DISPLACEMENT RELATIONS
Strains in the plane of the slice are defined as:
∂u ∂v ∂u ∂v
εx = εy = γ xy = +
∂x ∂y ∂y ∂x

Using the displacement functions, we obtain

∂2w ∂2w ∂2w
ε x = −z 2 ε y = −z 2 γ xy = −2 z
∂x ∂y ∂x∂y

The normal strain εz and the shearing strains γxz and γyz
are usually omitted in the analysis of thin plates.
CONSTITUTIVE RELATIONS
Stress-strain relationships for the plate are taken to be the
same as those for the case of plane stress
⎧σ ⎫ ⎡1 ν 0 ⎤ ⎧ εx ⎫
⎪⎪ x ⎪⎪ E ⎢ ⎥ ⎪⎪ ⎪⎪
σ
⎨ y⎬ = ⎢ν 1 0 ⎥⎨εy ⎬
⎪ ⎪ 1 − ν 2
1 1 −ν ⎥ ⎪ ⎪
⎪⎩τ xy ⎪⎭
⎢0 0
⎣ 2 ( ) γ
⎦ ⎩⎪ xy ⎭⎪
If the material is orthotropic with x and y as principal material
directions, the strain-stress matrix [E] becomes:
⎡ E11 E12 0 ⎤
⎢E 0 ⎥⎥
[ ] ⎢ 21
E = E22
⎢⎣ 0 0 E33 ⎥⎦
GENERALIZED STRESSES
The generalized stress Mxx consist of the moment (per unit
width of the plate) of σx stresses with respect to the neutral
surface. t/2 t/2
M xx = ∫ −σ x zdz = ∫ − ( E11ε x + E12ε y ) zdz
−t / 2 −t / 2
t/2 ⎡ ⎛ ∂2w ⎞ ⎛ ∂ 2w ⎞⎤
= ∫ − ⎢ E11 ⎜ − z 2 ⎟ + E12 ⎜ − z 2 ⎟ ⎥ zdz
⎜ ∂x ⎟ ⎜ ∂y ⎟
⎢
−t / 2 ⎣ ⎝ ⎠ ⎝ ⎠ ⎥⎦
⎛ ∂ w
2 2 ⎞ t/2
∂ w
= ⎜ E11 2 + E12 2 ⎟ ∫ z 2dz
⎜ ∂ ∂ ⎟
⎝ x y ⎠ −t / 2
GENERALIZED STRESSES
t/2 3
t
∫ dz = 12
2
z So the final form of Mxx becomes:
−t / 2
⎛ ∂2w ∂2w ⎞ t3
M xx = ⎜ E11 2 + E12 2 ⎟
⎜ ∂ ∂ ⎟ 12
⎝ x y ⎠
⎛ ∂2w ∂2w ⎞ t3
M yy = ⎜ E21 2 + E22 2 ⎟
Similarly, the other ⎜ ∂ ∂ ⎟ 12
⎝ x y ⎠
componets are
⎛ ∂2w ⎞ t3
M xy = ⎜ 2 E33 ⎟⎟
⎜ ∂x∂y ⎠ 12
⎝
 GENERALIZED STRESSES
We can recast the constitutive equations in the form
⎧M ⎫ ⎡1 ν 0 ⎤ ⎧ ∂ 2
w ∂ x 2 ⎫
⎪ xx ⎪ Et 3 ⎢ ⎥ ⎪⎪ 2 2 ⎪
⎪
⎨ M yy ⎬ = ⎢ν 1 0 ⎥ ⎨ ∂ w ∂y ⎬
⎪
M
⎪ 12 (
1 − ν 2
) ⎢0 0
⎣
1 1 −ν ⎥ ⎪ 2
( ) ⎦ ⎩⎪ 2 ∂ w ∂x ∂ y
⎪
⎩ xy ⎭ 2 ⎭⎪
The vector of generalized strains is
⎧κ ⎫ ⎧ ∂ 2 w ∂x 2 ⎫
⎪⎪ xx ⎪⎪ ⎪⎪ 2 2 ⎪
⎪
{κ} = ⎨κ yy ⎬ = ⎨ ∂ w ∂y ⎬
⎪ ⎪ ⎪ 2 ⎪
κ
⎩⎪ xy ⎭⎪ ⎪⎩2∂ w ∂x∂y ⎪⎭
t3
In a compact form [M ] = ⎡⎣E ⎤⎦ {κ} where [E] = [E]
12
EQUILIBRIUM EQUATIONS
∂M yx
M yx + dy
∂y
z ∂Qy
Qy + dy ∂M yx
∂y M yx + dy
∂y
y
Qx ∂M yy
Mxx M yy + dy
∂y
Mxy
bz ∂M xy
M xy + dx
∂x
Qy
∂Qx
Qx + dx
∂x
x
Myy
∂M xx
Myx M xx + dx
∂x

A summation of forces in the z direction

⎛ ∂Qx ⎞ ⎛ ∂Qy ⎞
bz dxdy − Qx dy + ⎜ Qx + dx ⎟ dy − Qy dx + ⎜ Qy + dy ⎟ dx = 0
⎝ ∂x ⎠ ⎝ ∂y ⎠
EQUILIBRIUM EQUATIONS
The equilibrium equations are
∂Qx ∂Qy
+ + bz = 0
∂x ∂y
∂M xx ∂M yx
+ + Qx ≅ 0
∂x ∂y
∂M yy ∂M xy
+ + Qy ≅ 0
∂y ∂x
Governing equation of a thin plate can be obtained as
⎛∂ w
4
∂ w
4
∂ w⎞4 Et 3
where D=
D ⎜ 4 + 2 2 2 + 4 ⎟ = bz
⎜ ∂x
⎝ ∂x ∂y ∂y ⎟
⎠ (
12 1 −ν 2 )
{δ} = ⎣⎢u v w⎦⎥
T

RECTANGULAR ELEMENTS
qi1 qi3
z y, η = y/b

qi2
4 Nonconform plate element
i
2b
3 MZC Rectangle
x, ξ = x/a
(Melosh, Zienkiewicz, Cheung)
w(x,y)

1 2a 2

The vector of generic displacements has only one displacement

{δ} = w
Also shown in the figure are the nodal displacements:
T
⎢ ∂wi ∂wi ⎥
{qi } = ⎢⎣ qi1 qi 2 T
qi 3 ⎥⎦ = ⎢ wi −
∂x ⎥⎦
(i = 1, 2, 3, 4)
⎣ ∂y
The subscripts in vector {qi} are computed as i1 = 3i – 2, i2 = 3i -1, and i3 = 3i. Note the sign change
for qi 3 = − ∂wi ∂x to correlate the slope with a positive nodal rotation.
{δ} = ⎣⎢u v w⎦⎥
T

MZC RECTANGLE
Nodal actions corresponding to the displacements
{pi } = ⎢⎣ pi1
T
pi 3 ⎥⎦ = ⎢⎣ pzi M yi ⎥⎦
T
pi 2 M xi (i = 1, 2, 3, 4)

The displacement function chosen for this element is:

w = c1 + c2ξ + c3η + c4ξ 2 + c5ξη + c6η 2
+ c7ξ 3 + c8ξ 2η + c9ξη 2 + c10η 3 + c11ξ 3η + c12ξη 3

It is a complete cubic of ten terms and two quartic terms.

{δ} = ⎣⎢u v w⎦⎥
T

MZC RECTANGLE
Using the shape functions deflection can be written as: ⎧ q11 ⎫
⎪q ⎪
⎪ 12 ⎪
⎪⎪ q ⎪⎪
w = ⎢⎣ N11 N12 N13 N 21 N 22 N 23 N31 N32 N33 N 41 N 42 N 43 ⎥⎦ ⎨ 13 ⎬
⎪ q21 ⎪
⎪ M ⎪
⎪ ⎪
⎪⎩q43 ⎪⎭
where the shape functions can be expresses as:
(
Ni1 = 18 (1 + ξ0 )(1 + η0 ) 2 + ξ0 + η0 − ξ 2 − η 2 )
Ni 2 = − 18 bη (1 + ξ0 )(1 − η0 )(1 + η0 ) 2

Ni3 = 1 aξ
8 (1 − ξ0 )(1 + η0 )(1 + ξ0 ) 2

ξ 0 = ξ iξ η0 = ηiη ( i = 1, 2,3, 4 )
{δ} = ⎣⎢u v w⎦⎥
T

MZC RECTANGLE
The compact form:
4
w = ∑ Ni1qi1 +Ni 2qi 2 + Ni 3qi 3
i =1
⎧{q}1 ⎫
or ⎪ ⎪
⎪{q}2 ⎪
w = ⎢⎣ ⎣⎢ N ⎦⎥1 ⎣⎢ N ⎦⎥ 2 ⎣⎢ N ⎦⎥ 3 ⎣⎢ N ⎦⎥ 4 ⎥⎦ ⎨ ⎬
⎪{q}3 ⎪
⎪{q} ⎪
⎩ 4⎭
where ⎢⎣ Ni ⎥⎦ = ⎢⎣ Ni1 Ni 2 Ni3 ⎥⎦
{δ} = ⎣⎢u v w⎦⎥
T

MZC RECTANGLE
We write the generalized linear differential operator as
T
⎢ ∂ ∂ ∂ ⎥
⎡⎣ ∂ ⎤⎦ = ⎢ 2 , , ⎥
⎣ ∂x ∂y 2 ∂x∂y ⎦

Then the generalized strain-displacement matrix may be stated as:

⎧ ∂2 ⎫ ⎡ ∂ 2 Ni1 ∂ 2 Ni 2 ∂ 2 Ni 3 ⎤
⎪ 2 ⎪ ⎢ 2 ⎥
⎪ ∂x ⎪ ⎢ ∂x ∂x 2 ∂x ⎥
2

⎪⎪ ∂ 2 ⎪⎪ ⎢ ∂2 N ∂ 2 Ni 2 ∂ 2 Ni 3 ⎥
⎡⎣B ⎤⎦ = ⎢⎣ ∂ ⎥⎦ ⎢⎣ N ⎥⎦ i = ⎨ 2 ⎬⎢ ⎣ Ni1 Ni 2 Ni 3 ⎥⎦ = ⎢ i1 ⎥ ( i = 1, 2,3, 4 )
i
⎪ ∂y ⎪ ⎢ ∂y 2
∂y 2
∂y ⎥2

⎪ 2 ⎪ ⎢ 2 ⎥
⎪2 ∂ ⎪ ⎢ ∂ Ni1 ∂ 2 Ni 2 ∂ 2 Ni3 ⎥
⎢ 2 ∂x∂y 2 2
∂x∂y ⎦⎥
⎩⎪ ∂x∂y ⎭⎪ ⎣ ∂x∂y
{δ} = ⎣⎢u v w⎦⎥
T

MZC RECTANGLE
In particular,
⎡ 3ξ (1 − η ) b 2 0 (1 − 3ξ )(1 − η ) ab 2 ⎤
⎢ ⎥
1 ⎢
⎣⎡B ⎤⎦1 = 2 2 ⎢ 3 (1 − ξ )η a − (1 − ξ )(1 − 3η ) a b
2 2
0 ⎥
⎥
( )
4a b
⎢ 4 − 3ξ − 3η ab (1 − η )(1 + 3η ) ab
2 2 2
− (1 − ξ )(1 + 3ξ ) a b ⎥
2
⎣ ⎦
Corresponding to the generalized strains are the generalized
stresses, calculated as:
{M} = ⎣⎢ M xx M xy ⎦⎥ = ⎣⎡E ⎦⎤ {κ} = ⎣⎡ E ⎦⎤ ⎣⎡ B ⎦⎤ {q}
T
M yy
{δ} = ⎣⎢u v w⎦⎥
T

MZC RECTANGLE
Thus, for an isotropic material, we can find
⎡ ⎤
⎢3ξ (1 − η ) b + 3ν (1 − ξ )η a
2 2
...⎥
Et 3 ⎢ ⎥
⎡⎣E ⎤⎦ ⎡⎣ B ⎤⎦ = νξ ( − η ) 2
+ ( − ξ )η 2
...⎥
( ) ⎢ 3 1 b 3 1 a
48a 2b 2 1 −ν 2 ⎢ 1 −ν ⎥
⎢
⎣ 2
(4 − 3ξ 2 − 3η 2 ab) ...⎥
⎦

Then the stiffnesses for the element can be calculated from:

1 1
[k ] = ∫ ⎡⎣B ⎤⎦
T T
⎡⎣E ⎤⎦ ⎡⎣B ⎤⎦dA = ab ∫ ∫ ⎡⎣B ⎤⎦ ⎡⎣ E ⎤⎦ ⎡⎣ B ⎤⎦ dξ dη
A −1 −1
 MZC RECTANGLE
Similarly, equivalent nodal loads are computed with the formulas:
1 1
{fb } = ∫ ⎢⎣ N ⎥⎦ bz dA =ab ∫
T
∫
T
⎢⎣ N ⎥⎦ bz dξ dη
A −1 −1
1 1
{f0 } = ∫ ⎡⎣B ⎤⎦ ⎡⎣E⎤⎦ {ε0 } dA =ab ∫ ⎡⎣B ⎤⎦ ⎡⎣E ⎤⎦ {ε 0 } dξ dη
T T
∫
A −1 −1

The integrals in the equations are over area only, because

integration through thickness has already been accomplished
using generalized stresses and strains.
 MZC RECTANGLE
After the solution, the generalized stresses at selected points in
each element may be obtained from:
{M} = ⎡⎣E ⎤⎦ ( ⎡⎣B ⎤⎦ {q} − {ε0 })
The bending stresses can be found with the following relationship:
12 z
{σ} = ⎣σ x σ y τ xy ⎦ = − 3 {M}
T
⎢ ⎥
t
In addition, the shearing forces can be written as
∂M xx ∂M yx ∂M yy ∂M xy
Qx ≅ − − Qy ≅ − −
∂x ∂y ∂y ∂x
Hence, the maximum values of shearing stresses τxz and τyz
become:
(τ yz )
3Qx 3Qy
(τ xz )max = max
=
2t 2t
EXAMPLE
Find the stiffness term k11 for the MZC rectangle, assuming
isotropic material.
Solution
If we use only the first column of ⎡⎣B ⎤⎦1 and the first column of
⎡⎣ E ⎤⎦ ⎡⎣ B ⎤⎦ we can evaluate k , as follows
11
1 1
Et 3 ⎡9ξ 2 (1 − η )2 b 4 + 18νξ (1 − ξ )(1 − η )η a 2b 2
k11 = ∫∫
192a3b3 1 −ν 2( ) −1 −1 ⎣

+9 (1 − ξ ) η a +
2 2 4 1
(1 −ν ) ( 4 − 3ξ 2
− 3η )
2 2 ⎤
a 2b 2 ⎥ d ξ dη
2
⎦
2 2 56 (1 −ν ) a b
Et 3 ⎛ 2 2⎞
= ⎜16b + 16a + 8ν a b +
4 4
⎟
(
192a3b3 1 −ν 2 ) ⎜
⎝ 5 ⎟
⎠
Et 3 ⎛ b a 7 − 2ν ⎞
= ⎜ 3 + +
(
12 1 −ν 2 ) ⎝a b 3 10ab ⎟⎠
BFS RECTANGLE
z
y, η = y/b
qi4

qi1 qi3
4
qi1
3
b w(x,y)
i

x, ξ = x/a
1 a 2

BFS rectangle – Bogner, Fox and Schmit

T
⎢ ∂wi ∂wi ∂ wi ⎥
2
{qi } = ⎢⎣ qi1 qi 2 qi 3
T
qi 4 ⎥⎦ = ⎢ wi − ⎥ (i = 1, 2, 3, 4)
⎢⎣ ∂y ∂x ∂x∂y ⎥⎦

i1 = 4i – 3, i2 = 4i -2, i3 = 4i -1, and i4 = 4i.

BFS RECTANGLE
We see that the fourth type of nodal displacements is the
warp, or the cross rate of change of slope.

Nodal actions corresponding to the displacements

{pi } = ⎢⎣ pi1
T
pi 4 ⎥⎦ = ⎢⎣ p zi X xyi ⎥⎦
T
pi 2 pi 3 M xi M yi (i = 1, 2, 3, 4)

where Xxyi is the generalized action ( a second moment of

force) corresponding to ∂ 2 wi ∂x∂y.
BFS RECTANGLE
For this element the displacement function chosen to be the
following 16-term polynomial
w = c1 + c2ξ + c3ξ 2 + c4ξ 3
+ c5η + c6ξη + c7ξ 2η + c8ξ 3η
+ c9η 2 + c10ξη 2 + c11ξ 2η 2 + c12ξ 3η 2
+ c13η 3 + c14ξη 3 + c15ξ 2η 3 + c16ξ 3η 3

Displacement shape functions are given in Table 6.2

(Weaver & Johnston).
BFS RECTANGLE
The generalized strain-displacement matrix
⎡ ∂ 2 Ni1 ∂ 2 Ni 2 ∂ 2 Ni3 ∂ 2 Ni 4 ⎤
⎢ 2 ⎥
⎢ ∂x ∂x 2 ∂x 2 ∂x ⎥
2

⎢ ∂2 N ∂ 2 Ni 2 ∂ 2 Ni3 ∂ 2 Ni 4 ⎥
⎡⎣B ⎤⎦ = ⎢⎣ ∂ ⎥⎦ ⎣⎢ N ⎥⎦ i = ⎢ i1 ⎥ ( i = 1, 2,3, 4 )
i ⎢ ∂y 2
∂y 2
∂y 2
∂y ⎥2
⎢ 2 ⎥
⎢ ∂ Ni1 ∂ 2 Ni 2 ∂ 2 Ni 3 ∂ 2 Ni 4 ⎥
⎢ 2 ∂x∂y 2
∂x∂y
2
∂x∂y
2
∂x∂y ⎥⎦
⎣
Evaluation of the first column ⎡⎣B ⎤⎦1 gives

⎢ (
⎡ −6 (1 − 2ξ ) 1 − 3η 2 + 2η 3 b 2 ) ... ...⎤
⎥
1 ⎢
(
⎡⎣B ⎤⎦ = 2 2 ⎢ −6 1 − 3ξ 2 + 2ξ 3 (1 − 2η ) a 2
1 a b ) ⎥
... ...⎥
⎢ ⎥
⎢ 72ξη (1 − ξ )(1 − η ) ab ... ...⎥
⎣ ⎦
BFS RECTANGLE

Formulation of generalized stresses for the BFS rectangle

is the same as for the MZC rectangle. However,
stiffnesses and equivalent nodal loads must be calculated
using zero as the lower limit on the integrals.
BFS RECTANGLE
„ The BFS rectangle is said to be conforming because it
has normal-slope compatibility at all edges.
That is, the normal slope along a given edge has a cubic variation that is
controlled by four parameters, which are the normal slope and warp at each
end.
„ This element gives greater accuracy than the MZC
rectangle because of a higher-order displacement
function and a larger number of nodal displacements.
„ The improvement is not due to the fact that the BFS
rectangle has normal-slope compatibility.
 TRIANGULAR ELEMENT
„ Due to their geometric versatility, triangular elements
constitute a useful subset of plate-bending elements.
qi1
It is called the CKZ
qi3
z y
3 qi1
triangle because it
w
i
was formulated by
2
Cheung, King, and
1 x
Zienkiewicz .

T
⎢ ∂wi ∂w ⎥
{qi } = ⎢⎣ qi1 qi 2
T
qi 3 ⎥⎦ = ⎢ wi − i⎥ (i = 1, 2, 3)
⎣ ∂y ∂x ⎦
QUADRILATERAL ELEMENT
We can create a plate or shell element from a hexahedral
solid finite element.
η
4
11
3
y vi
ui 16
12 15
i 10
wi 8
19 7 ξ
1

20 9 2
13 v 18
u
14
x w
ζ
5 6
z 17
 QUADRILATERAL ELEMENT
In order to convert a hexahedral element to a plate element, we
have to apply some constraints on the hexahedral element.
ζ, w

2b −θxi
θyi

2a
η, v j

wi

ξ, u
t k

After this procedure we have nodal displacements at point i as

{ i } ⎢⎣ i1 i 2 i3 ⎥⎦ ⎣ i xi yi ⎦
T
q = q q q
T
= ⎢ w θ θ ⎥
QUADRILATERAL ELEMENT
Constraints:
„ Nodes on the same normal to the middle surface have equal
translations in the z direction.
„ Normals to the middle surface remain straight (but no longer
normal) during deformation.
Using these constraints we can write the displacement of a
point at a distance from the neutral surface, as follows:
u ( x, y, z ) = zθ y ( x, y ) v ( x, y, z ) = − zθ x ( x, y ) w ( x, y , z ) = w ( x , y , 0 )
QUADRILATERAL ELEMENT
6 3 j
j j

4 5 2
1
ti/2

3 1
i i
2 i 3

1 1 2
z
y ti/2

x
k 9 k 6 k
7 4
8 5

Nodal displacements: (a) corner of PQR8 (b) midedge of

PQR8 (c) node of PBQ8.
QUADRILATERAL ELEMENT
Using above criteria we can relate the nine nodal translations
to the three nodal displacements by using the following
relations:
For the corner nodes For the midside nodes
⎧ u1 ⎫ ⎡ 0 0 0 ⎤
⎧ u1 ⎫ ⎡0 0 1t ⎤
⎪ v ⎪ ⎢0 0 ⎥⎥
2 i
⎪ 1⎪ ⎢
0 ⎪ v ⎪ ⎢0 − 1 t ⎥
⎪ 1⎪ ⎢
0 ⎥
⎪ w1 ⎪ ⎢1 0 ⎥ 2 i
0
⎪⎪ w1 ⎪⎪ ⎢1 ⎥ ⎧ w1 ⎫
⎪ ⎪ ⎢0 1t ⎥ 0 0 ⎥⎪ ⎪
⎪ u2 ⎪ ⎢
0 2 i ⎥ ⎧ w1 ⎫ ⎨ ⎬=⎢ ⎨θ x1 ⎬
⎪ ⎪ ⎢0 − 1 t 0 ⎥ ⎪⎨θ x1 ⎪⎬ ⎪ u2 ⎪ ⎢ 0 0 − 12 ti ⎥ ⎪ ⎪
⎨ v2 ⎬ = ⎢ 2 i ⎥ ⎪ v2 ⎪ ⎢0 1 t ⎥ ⎩θ y1 ⎭
⎪ w ⎪ ⎢1 0 ⎥ ⎪⎩θ y1 ⎪⎭ ⎪ ⎪ ⎢
0 2 i
0 ⎥
⎪ 2⎪ ⎢ ⎥ ⎪⎩ w2 ⎪⎭ ⎢1 ⎥
⎪ u3 ⎪ ⎢0 0 − 12 ti ⎥ ⎣ 0 0 ⎦
⎪v ⎪ ⎢ 1
⎪ 3 ⎪ ⎢0 2 ti 0 ⎥
⎥
⎪⎩ w3 ⎪⎭ ⎢1 0 ⎥⎦
⎣ 0

Finally we have only 24 nodal displacements.

QUADRILATERAL ELEMENT
Finally we have only 24 nodal displacements.
z,w

η
4
y,v
8 7

w
x,u
3
1
u v
wi
5 6 ξ
i
θxi θyi

Element PBQ8.
 QUADRILATERAL ELEMENT
Generic displacements at any point off the neutral surface are:
{δ} = ⎢⎣u v w⎥⎦ T

We assume that w, θx, and θy vary quadratically over the

element, so that: 8 8 8
w = ∑ Ni wi θ y = ∑ Niθ yi θ x = ∑ Niθ xi
i =1 i =1 i =1

Then using the rotation expressions, we can write the

generic displacement at any point inside the plate
8 8
u = zθ y = z ∑ Niθ yi v = zθ x = − z ∑ Niθ xi
i =1 i =1

Note that the rotations θx, and θy are chosen independently of w and are not related
to it by differentiation.
 QUADRILATERAL ELEMENT
The displacement shape functions are given by
Ni =
1
(1 + ξ 0 )(1 + η0 )(ξ 0 + η0 − 1) (i = 1,2,3,4)
4
N i = (1 − ξ 2 )(1 + η0 )
1
(i = 5,7)
2
N i = (1 + ξ 0 )(1 − η 2 )
1
(i = 6,8)
2
Matrix relation for the displacement field of the plate ⎧θ x1 ⎫
⎪θ ⎪
zN8 ⎤ ⎪ ⎪
y1
⎧ u ⎫ ⎧ zθ x ⎫ ⎡ 0 0 zN1 0 0 zN 2 ... 0 0
⎪ ⎪ ⎪⎪ w ⎪⎪
{δ } = ⎪⎨ v ⎪⎬ = ⎨− zθ y ⎬ = ⎢⎢ 0 − zN1 0 0 − zN 2 0 ... 0 − zN8 ⎥
0 ⎥⎨ ⎬
⎪ ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ θ
⎩ w ⎭ ⎩ w ⎭ ⎢⎣ N1 0 0 N2 0 0 . . . N8 0 0 ⎥⎦ ⎪ x 2 ⎪
⎪ M ⎪
⎪ ⎪
⎪⎩ w8 ⎪⎭
 QUADRILATERAL ELEMENT
Concisely, ⎧{q}1 ⎫
⎪ ⎪
⎪{q}2 ⎪
{δ} = ⎡⎣[ N ]1 [ N ]2 . . . [ N ]8 ⎤⎦ ⎨ ⎬
⎪ M ⎪
⎪{q} ⎪
⎩ 8⎭
In this case the displacement shape functions may be
displayed in matrix form as:
⎡0 0 z ⎤
[ Ni ] = ⎢⎢0 − z 0⎥⎥ Ni ( i = 1, 2,...,8)
⎢⎣1 0 0 ⎥⎦
QUADRILATERAL ELEMENT
The five types of nonzero strains to be considered for element
PBQ8 are:

⎧ ε x ⎫ ⎡ ∂ ∂x 0 0 ⎤
⎪ε ⎪ ⎢ ⎥ u
⎪ ⎪ ⎢
y 0 ∂ ∂ y 0 ⎥ ⎧ ⎫
⎪γ ⎪ ⎪ ⎪
{ε} = ⎨ xy ⎬ = ⎢∂ ∂y ∂ ∂x 0 ⎥ ⎨ v ⎬ = [∂ ]{δ}
⎪γ ⎪ ⎢ ∂ ∂z 0
⎥⎪ ⎪
∂ ∂x ⎥ ⎩ w⎭
⎪ ⎪xz ⎢
⎪⎩γ yz ⎪⎭ ⎣⎢ 0 ∂ ∂z ∂ ∂y ⎦⎥
QUADRILATERAL ELEMENT
The strain-displacement matrix can be written as
[ B ] = [∂ ][ N ]
⎡ ∂ ∂x 0 0 ⎤
⎢ 0 ∂ ∂ ⎥ 0
⎥⎡
y 0 0 zN1 0 0 zN 2 ... 0 0 zN8 ⎤
⎢
= ⎢∂ ∂y ∂ ∂x 0 ⎥ ⎢⎢ 0 − zN1 0 0 − zN 2 0 ... 0 − zN8 0 ⎥⎥
⎢ ⎥
⎢ ∂ ∂z 0 ∂ ∂ x ⎥ ⎢⎣ N1 0 0 N2 0 0 . . . N8 0 0 ⎥⎦
⎢⎣ 0 ∂ ∂z ∂ ∂y ⎥⎦

The ith part of matrix [B] can be given as follows

⎡ 0 0 z∂Ni ∂x ⎤
⎢ 0 − z∂Ni ∂y 0 ⎥⎥
⎢
[B]i = ⎢ 0 − z∂Ni ∂x z∂Ni ∂y ⎥ i = 1,2,…,8
⎢ ⎥
⎢ ∂Ni ∂x 0 Ni ⎥
⎢⎣∂Ni ∂y − Ni 0 ⎥⎦
QUADRILATERAL ELEMENT
We can obtain the derivatives using the isoparametric
8 8
formulation x = N x
∑ ii y = ∑ N i yi
i =1 i =1
We need certain derivatives with respect to local coordinates,
⎧∂Ni ∂x ⎫ ⎡ Γ11 Γ12 ⎤ ⎧ ∂Ni ∂ξ ⎫
⎨ ⎬=⎢ ⎥ ⎨ ⎬
⎩∂Ni ∂y ⎭ ⎣Γ 21 Γ 22 ⎦ ⎩∂Ni ∂η ⎭
[Γ] is the inverse of the Jacobian matrix given by
⎡ ∂x ∂y ⎤
⎢ ∂ξ ∂ξ ⎥ ∂x 8
∂N
[J ] = ⎢ ⎥ = ∑ i xi etc.
⎢ ∂x ∂y ⎥ ∂ξ i =1 ∂ξ
⎢ ∂η ∂η ⎥⎦
⎣
QUADRILATERAL ELEMENT
Let us write the global derivatives in the following form

∂Ni ∂N ∂N ∂Ni ∂N ∂N
ai = = Γ11 i + Γ12 i bi = = Γ 21 i + Γ 22 i
∂x ∂ξ ∂η ∂y ∂ξ ∂η

We can assemble the ith part of matrix [B]

⎡0 0 zai ⎤
⎢0 − zbi 0 ⎥⎥
⎢
[B ]i = ⎢ 0 − zai zbi ⎥ ( i = 1, 2,...,8)
⎢ ⎥
⎢ ai 0 Ni ⎥
⎢⎣ bi − Ni 0 ⎥⎦
QUADRILATERAL ELEMENT
Stresses corresponding to the strains

{σ } = ⎢⎣σ x σ y τ xy τ xz τ yz ⎥⎦
T

Then the stress-strain relationships for either an orthotropic

or an isotropic material may be expressed by:
⎡ E11 E12 0 0 0 ⎤
⎢E E22 0 0 0 ⎥⎥
⎢ 21
[ E] = ⎢ 0 0 E33 0 0 ⎥
⎢ ⎥
⎢ 0 0 0 E44 0 ⎥
⎢⎣ 0 0 0 0 E55 ⎥⎦
QUADRILATERAL ELEMENT
Assuming that x and y are principal material directions in the
orthotropic case, we may write the terms in matrix [E] as:
Ex ν xy Ex Ey
E11 = E12 = E22 =
1 −ν xyν yx 1 −ν xyν yx 1 −ν xyν yx
G G yz
E33 = Gxy E44 = xz E55 =
1.2 1.2

On the other hand, if the material is isotropic, the constants

become:
E
Ex = E y = E ν xy = ν yx = ν Gxy = Gxz = G yz =
2 (1 +ν )
 QUADRILATERAL ELEMENT
We can partition matrix [B] and ⎡[ B A ]⎤ ⎡ z ⎡⎣B A ⎤⎦ ⎤
[B] = ⎢ B ⎥ = ⎢ ⎥
factor z from the upper part ⎣[ B ]⎦ ⎢⎣ [ B B ] ⎥⎦

Similarly, matrix [E] may ⎡[ E A ] [ 0] ⎤

[E] = ⎢ 0 ⎥
be partitioned into: ⎣[ ] [ E B ]⎦
Then the stiffness matrix for element PBQ8 is written as
[k ] = ∫ [ B ] [ E][ B ] dV ∫ ⎡ z ⎣⎡B A ⎦⎤
T T
[B B ]T ⎤ ⎡[ E A ] [0] ⎤ ⎡ z ⎡⎣B A ⎤⎦ ⎤
⎥⎦ ⎢ [ 0] ⎥⎢ ⎥
V
⎢⎣
V ⎣ [ B ]⎦ ⎢⎣ [B B ] ⎥⎦
E

(
= ∫ z 2 ⎡⎣B A ⎤⎦
V
T
)
[E A ] ⎡⎣B A ⎤⎦ + [B B ]T [E B ][B B ] dV
QUADRILATERAL ELEMENT
Integration through the thickness yields:

A
( T T
)
[k ] = ∫ ⎡⎣B A ⎤⎦ ⎡⎣E A ⎤⎦ ⎡⎣B A ⎤⎦ + [ B B ] ⎡⎣ E B ⎤⎦ [ B B ] dA

t3
⎡⎣ E A ⎤⎦ = [ E A ] [EB ] = t [EB ]
12
Thus
1 1
T T
[k ] = ∫ ⎡⎣B ⎤⎦ ⎡⎣E ⎤⎦ ⎡⎣B ⎤⎦dA = ∫ ∫ ⎡⎣B ⎤⎦ ⎡⎣ E⎤⎦ ⎡⎣ B ⎤⎦ J dξ dη
A −1 −1

⎡ ⎡⎣E A ⎤⎦ [ 0] ⎤
⎡⎣ E ⎤⎦ = ⎢ ⎥
⎢⎣ [ 0] ⎡⎣E B ⎤⎦ ⎥⎦
QUADRILATERAL ELEMENT

And the ith part of matrix is:

⎡0 0 ai ⎤
⎢0 −bi 0 ⎥⎥
⎢
⎡⎣B ⎤⎦ = ⎢ 0 −ai bi ⎥ ( i = 1, 2,...,8)
i
⎢ ⎥
⎢ ai 0 Ni ⎥
⎢⎣ bi − Ni 0 ⎥⎦
QUADRILATERAL ELEMENT
Equivalent nodal loads due to body forces on element
PBQ8 are calculated as
1 1
{fb } = ∫ [ N ]
T
{b} dV = ∫ ∫ [N]
T
{b} J dξ dη
V −1 −1

{b} = ⎢⎣0 0 bz ⎥⎦ T

bz is force per unit area in the z direction.

QUADRILATERAL ELEMENT
Also, equivalent nodal loads caused by initial strains are
1 1
{f0 } = ∫ [B ] [E]{ε0 } dV = ⎡⎣ B ⎤⎦ ⎡⎣E ⎤⎦ {κ 0 } J dξ dη
T
∫∫
T

V −1 −1

where {κ 0 } = ⎢⎣κ xx0 κ yy 0 κ xy 0

T
0 0 ⎥⎦

Finally, the generalized stresses in vector {M} may be

computed from
{M} = ⎣⎢ M xx (
Q y ⎦⎥ = ⎣⎡E ⎦⎤ ⎣⎡B ⎦⎤ {q} − {κ 0 } )
T
M yy M xy Qx