Discrete and non‐discrete mixed methods for plate bending analysis

Abstract

SUMMARYFor plate bending analysis, both discrete and non-discrete mixed methods are presented by using spline functions in the Hellinger-Reissner variational principle. Piecewise spline interpolation with local supports and overall spline interpolation with boundary knots are applied to each of two mixed functionals. The prescribed boundary conditions can be considered by multiple boundary knots. The convergence behaviour of the mixed methods presented is studied. Numerical examples show that a high degree of accuracy can be obtained due to continuous properties in the high derivatives of the employed shape functions. The proposed mixed methods are found to be very competitive with other numerical methods for plate bending problems.