Sector Plate Bending: Using Computer Algebra Systems

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the stress-strain state of a thin homogeneous isotropic plate in the form of a sector by numerical-analytical method. To consider the possibility of using computer algebra systems (CAS) to calculate sectoral plates operating under bending due to a transverse load. To demonstrate the effectiveness of applying one of these CASs through the example of the Maple system for calculations using the Ritz method — performing analytical transformations when calculating the integral that determines the total potential energy functional, forming and solving the main resolving system of linear algebraic equations with respect to unknown numerical coefficients in the formula approximating the deflection of the plate, visualization of the obtained solution. Methods: A direct method is used to solve the variational problem of minimizing the functional of the total potential energy of deformation of a thin homogeneous isotropic plate in the form of a sector — the Ritz method. The solution is constructed in the form of a series in terms of basis functions. As basis functions, polynomial functions are chosen that exactly satisfy all boundary conditions. Results: An approximate numerical-analytical solution has been obtained for the problem of bending a sectoral plate in the form of a quarter of a circle, clamped along the contour and loaded with a uniformly distributed load. The effectiveness of using the Maple analytical computing system for solving the problem of bending a sectoral plate by the variational Ritz method is demonstrated. It is shown that the resulting solution quickly converges both for deflection and for bending moments and stresses. Practical significance: The algorithm proposed in the article for solving the problems of bending sectoral plates can be recommended for practical use in determining the stress-strain state of such plates.