Finite Element Model of Imperfect Plate in Thermal Environment

Abstract

In this paper a finite element model for thermal buckling of imperfect plates using Layer Wise (LW) plate mode [1] is presented. The model assumes layerwise variation of in-plane displacements and constant transverse displacement through the thickness of the plate, non-linear strain-displacement relations (in von Karman sense) and linear thermo mechanical material properties. The Koiter model for imperfection is adopted. The Principle of virtual displacements (PVD) is used to derive the weak form of linearized buckling problem. The weak form is discretized using Lagrangian nine-node isoparametric finite element. The original MATLAB program is coded for finite element solution. The effects of imperfection amplitude, imperfection form and plate aspect ratio a/h on critical temperature are analyzed. The accuracy of the numerical model is verified by comparison with the available results from the literature.