Course overview

Unlocking the Fundamentals of Shell Behaviour with Analytical Modelling and Membrane Theory

Analytical Modelling of Plate and Shell Structures: Part 2 - Shells

This course is part 1 in a two-part series exploring the analytical modelling of plate and shell structures. In this first part, we’ll be exploring 2D plates. By the end of this course, you will have a good understanding of how to analyse both circular and rectangular plates using purely analytical means - so no finite elements or numerical methods - just fundamental closed-form solutions. In addition to learning about the specifics of plate behaviour, you should also walk away with a better understanding of how to develop analytical models in the form of governing differential equations. You’ll also have a few new tools and techniques that you can use to unlock tricky math problems using Python.

Section 2 overview

Geometric considerations and assumptions

Shell structures in the built environment

Fundamental load resistance mechanisms

Deformation curvature for 2D plates

Curvature and axis rotation

Undeformed shell curvature

Section 3 overview

Coordinates, limitations, assumptions and the plan

Establishing the radial and hoop strain

Jumping to stresses via Hooke’s Law

Determining the stress resultants

Equilibrium of the infinitesimal element

From equilibrium to the governing differential equation

Evaluating the shear force term

The influence of plate boundary conditions

Case study #1: Simply supported with edge moment

Case study #2: Simply supported with UDL

Case study #2: Further investigation & visualisation

Case study #3: Built-in with central point load

Case study #4: Built-in annular plate with UDL

Case study #5: Simply supported with linearly varying load

Case study #5: Code solution and plotting

Building a 3D visualisation of plate deflection

Section 4 overview

Setting up our derivation

Stress and strain analysis

Equilibrium and the governing differential equation

Stress distributions

Fixed and simply supported boundary conditions

Free edges

The corner effect

Navier’s solution for rectangular plate deflection

Determining plate moments

Case study #6: Navier’s solution for UDL

Case study #7: Navier’s solution for linearly varying loading

Case study #8: Navier’s solution for patch loading

Case study #9: Navier’s solution for point loading

Building a ‘Plate Calculator’ script

Course wrap up and certificate of completion

A practical guide to the analysis of circular and rectangular plates under load, from first principles.

Analytical Modelling of Plate and Shell Structures: Part 1 - Plates

In this course, we’re going to build a full Isoparametric Finite Element solver. This unlocks our ability to model and analyse any 2D structural form. When we combine our finite element analysis solver with knowledge of the theory of plane stress and plane strain, this course will equip you with the ability to model 3D structures using 2D finite element models. We’ll build in the ability to simulate the influence of point load forces, distributed forces and body or self-weight forces. When you complete this course, you will have built your own 2D Finite Element solver, but more importantly, you’ll understand precisely how it works and what every single line of code does! This will give you the knowledge, experience and confidence to extend your solver and add the new features that matter to you.

Introduction and course overview

What you should cover before this course

Bar stiffness using generalised coordinates

Bar stiffness using shape functions

Quad elements and shape functions

The strain-displacement matrix, B

The Jacobian Matrix, J

Calculating the strain-displacement matrix

Accounting for plane-stress/strain

The equivalent surface force vector

The equivalent body force vector

Gauss numerical integration scheme

Numerical integration in 2D

Calculating the element stiffness matrix

Stiffness matrix convergence

Generating a simple quad mesh in Blender

Exporting mesh data from Blender

Exporting support and point load data

Importing support, loading and mesh data

Section 5 overview

Setting analysis parameters and plotting the structure

Building the global force vector

Defining the element stiffness matrix

Assigning the element stiffness coefficients

Building the structure stiffness matrix

Solving the structure

Visualising the deformed structure

Generating detailed text output

Euler-Bernoulli deflection validation

Section 6 overview

Generating the stress calculation grid

Visualising the stress calculation grid

Calculating the strain and stress fields

Visualising the normal stress distribution

Building normal strain/stress contour plots

Building shear stress/strain contour plots

Building a stress/strain interpolation query function

Visualising stress distributions at a vertical section

Euler-Bernoulli stress validation

Section 7 overview

Implementing self-weight in our analysis

Correcting self-weight reactions

Distributed loading - Interpolation limits

Distributed loading - Data export from Blender

Importing distributed loading data

Surface force vector - Setup

Surface force vector - Integration

Updating the global force vector and validating

Orthogonal surface forces

Section 8 overview

A recap of principal stresses

Calculating principal angles and stresses

Sorting principal stresses

Identifying max ten/comp principal stresses

Visualising the principal stress magnitude field

Visualising the principal stress vector field

Combining the magnitude and vector fields

The von Mises failure theory

Visualising the von Mises stress field

Perimeter stresses and updating plot edges - Planning

Perimeter stresses and updating plot edges - Coding

Section 9 overview

Generating 2D geometry in Blender

Meshing complex geometries

Exporting an irregular mesh

Generalising our solver

Stress distribution masks

Course wrap up

[BONUS] Cantilever model and analysis walkthrough

Understanding the 2D stress element

The stress transformation equations

Visualising transformation equations

Principal stresses and principal planes

Finding maximum shear stresses

2D stress analysis worked example

Stress analysis Python worked example

Understanding Mohr's circle of stress

Mohr's circle worked example in Python

Use the Isoparametric Finite Element Method to build an analysis tool for 2D structures in Python.

Finite Element Analysis of Continuum Structures in Python

Tools and techniques for modelling and understanding the underlying state of stress in structures

Stress Analysis

We're going to build a Mohr's Circle calculator using Python. Once complete, you will have your own stress analysis Python code.

Building a Mohr’s Circle Calculator for Stress Analysis in Python | EngineeringSkills.com

Once complete, you will have your own stress analysis Python code

Building a Mohr’s Circle Calculator for Stress Analysis in Python

Perform 2D stress analysis and use Mohr’s Circle to visualise the complete stress field

HUB / STRESS ANALYSIS

Tools and techniques for modelling and understanding the underlying state of stress in structures

Stress Analysis Courses

Stress Analysis Projects

Stress Analysis Tutorials