Finite element modelling of thick plates on two-parameter elastic foundation

This paper is intended to give some information about how to build a model necessary for bending analysis of rectangular and circular plates resting o n a two-parameter elastic foundation, subjected to combined loading and per mitting various types of boundary conditions. The formulation of the proble m takes into account the shear deformation of the plate and the surrounding interaction effect outside the plate. The numerical model based on an 18-n ode zero-thickness isoparametric interface element interacting with a thick Reissner-Mindlin plate element with three degrees of freedom at each of th e nine nodes, which enforce C-0 continuity requirements for the displacemen ts and rotations of the midsurface. is proposed. Stiffness matrices of a sp ecial interface element are superimposed on the global stiffness matrix to represent the stiffening elastic foundation under and beyond the plate. Som e numerical examples are given to illustrate the advantages of the method p resented. Copyright (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.