Static analysis of Mindlin plates: the differential quadrature element method (DQEM)

The differential quadrature method (DQM) is a new numerical method for fast solving linear and nonlinear differential equations based on global basis functions. In the present study, a discrete approximate method based on the DQM, the differential quadrature element method (DQEM), is developed for t he axisymmetric static analysis of moderately thick circular and annular pl ates described by the Mindlin shear-deformable theory. The basic idea of th e DQEM is: (1) to divide the whole variable domain into several sub-domains (elements); (2) to form discretized element governing equations by applyin g the DQM to each element; and (3) to assemble all the discretized element governing equations into the overall characteristic equations with the cons ideration of displacement and stress compatibility conditions between adjac ent elements. The annular and circular Mindlin plate elements of differenti al quadrature (DQ) are established. The convergence characteristics of the proposed method are carefully investigated from the view points of element refinement and element-grid refinement, and some general regulations and su ggestions on element division and element-grid selection are provided. A nu mber of numerical examples are calculated, and the results are compared wit h the corresponding exact solutions, which exhibits high accuracy, simplici ty and applicability of the present method. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.