The radial point interpolation meshless method for a moderately thick plate

Abstract

Bending problem of moderately thick plate are analyzed by the radial point interpolation meshless method in this paper. The global Galerkin weak-form equation of isotropic moderately thick plate is established based on Mindlin plate theory and the minimum total potential energy principle. The shape functions constructed using the radial point interpolation method possesses Kronecker delta function property, so the essential boundary conditions can be easily imposed. Numerical examples show that the presented method has such advantages as high efficiency, good accuracy and easy implentation. The shear locking can be avoided in the bending analyzing of thin plates. © 2012 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.