Learning Forum

[Daniel Smith]

Hi I am running into abit of a problem with a project I have at university.

I am trying to simulate a flat plate with dimensions of 1000mm x 1000mm x 4mm a uniform pressure is being applied to the centre of the plate. I have been told that the best way to model the plate would be to use a shell model as it is a thin walled structure, however when researching shell structures online most of the things I saw said that if the force is in the direction of the thickness shell models were not suitable to use as they do not account for forces and moments in the direction of the thickness of the shell.

Thanks in advance!

Dan

[Erik Kostson]

 

Hi

Shells can be used for thin structure (fuselage skin, hull, etc.,) and capture beniding and membrane type of stress.

So if the structure acts as a shell, you can use shell element.

In order for users of the forum to advice you would need to give some more info on the support/boundary conditions of the plate (e.g., is it fixed say along the perimeter, etc.).

Show if you can with a picture to show loads and bondary conditions.

 

All the best

Erik

 

[Daniel Smith]

Hi Erik 

sorry yeah I'll post some pictures now

This is the flat plate, its 4mm thick and the pressure is applied to the dark grey circle, its fixed on all 6 sides.

Thanks, 

Dan

[Erik Kostson]

Hi

 

That is very helpful. Thank you. So from this we can say that it is mostly a bending response of the plate and perhaps some membrane also (if we have large deflections due to high loads - so keep large defelctions ON in analysis settings), so shell elements should be ok here.

All the best

Erik