An integral equation approach to static analysis of thin plates with linearly variable thickness (Q1106683)

A simply supported square plate with a linear thickness variation in one direction is considered. The object is to develop a numerical method, based on an integral equation formulation and the use of fundamental solutions, which do not satisfy the governing differential equations. Then the system of integral equations is obtained by means of the second Green identity for corresponding operators. It has to be satisfied at a number of points on the boundary and in the domain, which leads to a set of simultaneous equations for nodal unknowns in the whole domain. This numerical technique seems to be very general combining both: the versatility of finite elements and the good accuracy of boundary elements. It can be successfully applied to a wide range of static and dynamic problems of structural mechanics and in particular for the static solution of a thin plate with variable thickness.