Abstract:
In this thesis, a finite element method for analyzing plate bending problems under both mechanical and thermal loadings by the Discrete Kirchhoff Triangle (DKT) element is presented. The DKT element provides higher solution accuracy as compared to other standard triangular elements. The element is also combined with an adaptive meshing technique to improve solution accuracy for analyzing complex problems. The governing differential equations, finite element method concepts and procedures, finite element matrices and basic idea of the adaptive meshing technique are presented. The adaptive meshing technique generates small clustered elements in the regions of high stress gradients to provide higher solution accuracy. At the same time, larger elements are generated in the other regions to reduce the total numbers of unknowns and the computational time. A corresponding finite element computer program is developed and verified against examples that have exact solutions. The effectiveness of the DKT element combined with the adaptive meshing technique is evaluated by several complex problems. Results demonstrate that the combined method can improve the solution accuracy and reduce the computational effort.