A new load transfer index () with considering six degrees of freedom and its application in structural design and analysis. Issue 4 (4th July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Qingguo; Telichev, Igor; Wu, Christine Q.
• Is Part Of: Mechanics based design of structures and machines. Volume 46:Issue 4(2018)
• Page Start: 410
• Page End: 424
• Publication Date: 2018-07-04
• Subjects: Internal stiffness -- load paths analysis -- rotational DOFs -- thin-walled structures -- index; Structural analysis (Engineering) -- Periodicals; Structural design -- Periodicals; 624.17
• DOI: 10.1080/15397734.2017.1349671
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1539-7734

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Load paths analysis is important in design process of load bearing structures. U * index was introduced as the indicator of load paths based on finite element analysis. However, the U * index was only formulated based on three translational degrees of freedom (DOFs) without considering the rotational DOFs. Hence, the U * index cannot be used together with plate and shell theories, which are very important in engineering computations of thin-walled structures. A coupling issue in finite element analysis is that shell elements which are governed by plate and shell theories are invalid for U * calculations. This paper proposed a new load transfer index ( ) with considering both translational and rotational DOFs (i.e. six DOFs). To demonstrate the effectiveness of the new index in structural design and analysis, a case study was performed to a complex thin-walled structure. The stiffness to mass ratio of the sample structure is raised by 18.3% based on the load transfer analysis using the new index.