ASYMPTOTIC POSTBUCKLING ANALYSIS OF RECTANGULAR-PLATES BY HC FINITE-ELEMENTS

The present paper extends the finite element perturbation approach alr eady presented for pin-jointed and framed structures(15) to rectangula r thin plates. Koiter's asymptotic strategy(2) is coupled with a High- Continuity finite element discretization of the plate.(22) The consist ency of the discrete model is discussed from the kinematical and numer ical points of view and several numerical tests are reported. It appea rs that use of the HC elements makes the perturbation algorithm insens itive to the locking phenomenon occurring in the evaluation of the pos tbuckling behaviour. It also allows the use of very fine discretizatio n meshes at low computational cost.