Chapter: 5
Introduction to Analysis of Shell and Folded Plate Structures
Introduction
The shell is a thin curved slab whose thickness is small compared to its other dimensions like
span, and radius of curvature. Usually, the thickness/radius of curvature ratio (t/r) will be
1/1000 to 1/20.
General classification of shells
We generally classify shells into the following classes
1. Shells of revolution
2. Translational shells
3. Ruled surfaces
4. Composite shells
1. Shells of revolution
The middle surfaces of shells of revolution are formed by rotation of a plane curve K or a
line about vertical axis in its plane shown in fig. the generating curve is called the meridian.
If the meridian is a straight line rotating around a vertical axis, we get a cone. If it is a vertical
circle rotating about a vertical axis we get a sphere. If the meridian is a parabola, we get a
paraboloid of revolution, etc.
2. Translational shells
The middle surface obtained by the translation of a moving plane curve K1, called the
generator(generatrix), which moves parallel to itself over another stationary curve K2, called
the directrix, (the function of these being interchangeable) gives us a translational shell as
shown in fig.
The curves may point in the same or opposite directions. When they are in the same
directions, they are called clastic or synclastic shells. When they are in opposite directions,
they are called anticlastic shells. The following shells come in this category.
a. Cylindrical shells
b. Paraboloid shells
c. Toroidal shells.
3. Ruled surfaces
Ruled surfaces are surfaces which can be generated entirely by straight lines.
They can be singly or doubly ruled surfaces. A surface is said to be singly ruled if at
every point on its surface a single, straight line can be drawn along the surface. The
surface is called a doubly ruled if at every point on the surface two straight lines can
be rulerd.
A hypar can also be obtained by a straight line moving over two inclined
straight lines and that the conoid can be obtained by a straight line moving over two
curves at its ends shown in fig. conoids are singly ruled surfaces whereas hyperbolic
paraboloid is a doubly ruled surfaces ruled in two directions.
4. Composite shells
Composite shells are combinations of two or more shells as shown
in fig. individual hyperbolic paraboloid surfaces or cylindrical shells can be joined
together to form many surfaces.
General methods of structural analysis of shells
In the analysis of shells, we will study their behaviour under two heads, namely,
membrane analysis and bending analysis. Such a procedure can be used to understand their
basic behaviour. Today, with the availability of computer software, we can solve the
problems much more easily. But the basic understanding is needed to interpret the results for
detailing the steel reinforcement and also for designing boundary elements of the shells.
1. Use of membrane theory:
As a first step, we assume that all the loads are taken by membrane forces or
direct forces, namely, direct tension or compression along the radial directions and
shear without bending and torsion. As there are three forces, the three equactions
of equilibrium will give us all the forces. It is determinate or primary system.
2. Determination of errors towards the boundary:
The forces and also displacement got by membrane analysis need not be in
equilibrium or compatible with the actual situation at the edge of the structures,
where the shell is restricted by edge members. Hence, we find errors at the
boundaries due to membrane stress resultants.
3. Corrections:
Next, we find the corrections that we have to takes place due to unit edge
effects (forces and displacement) applied at the boundaries. For this, we used the
bending theory of shell.
4. Compatibility:
Next, we achieve compatibility by computing the magnitude of the edge
effects necessary to eliminate the errors.
5. Resultant forces:
The sum of the resultant forces and the compatibility conditions gives the
resultant forces.
The above method for a complete solution of shell structures is similar to the
analysis of indeterminate linear structures, where we first make the system
determinate and then find out the necessary forces resultants to make the forces
and displacements compatible with the real structures.
Alternatively, we can also derive the general expression for total analysis of
shells by matrix methods. General expressions for combined membrane analysis
and bending analysis of all type of shells
Alternatively, we can use the modern finite element analysis using computer
programs.
Folded plates
Reinforced concrete folded plate roofs are composed of a series of rectangular
reinforced concrete shells placed inclined to one another and jointed monolithically, one after
the other, along their longitudinal edges. The unit as a whole is supported rigidly at its ends,
by transverse diaphragms, as in the case of cylindrical shells. These structures are also called
prismatic structures or hipper plates. These can be made into various shapes as shown in fig.
The three main parts of a folded plate are:
Inclined plate
Rigid joints between the plates and
Transverse support or diaphragms at the ends
These folded plates cannot be classified as pure shell structures which take
their strength from their curvatures. In folded plates, in addition to the transverse bending as a
frame, longitudinal bending as a beam produces stresses similar to membrane stresses in
shells. The reinforcements for these stresses are placed at mid-depth of the plates in the
longitudinal directions.
Methods of Analysis
Folded plates can be analysed by the following methods:
Beam method
Elastic method
Slab beam analysis with correction analysis for stresses and rotation.
In the beam method, the folded plate is treated as a beam of irregular cross section in
the longitudinal direction and as a continuous slab in the transverse direction.
The second elasticity method the calculation of stresses in folded plates is
difficult to carry out by ordinary calculations. The slab-beam method, popularly known as the
folded plate theory, is the most convenient and satisfactory method for engineering design.
Brief description of slab-beam analysis of folded plates.
The modern slab beam analysis of folded plates can be divided in to the following
procedures
Procedure 1. Transverse slab analysis:
We first take the transverse section of the folded plate and assume that it forms
a frame supported by external supports at the various joints. We assume that all the loads
acting on the slab produce bending. Treating the system as a continuous beam, we can find
the bending moment in the transverse direction and also the vertical reaction at the imaginary
support. The reinforcements in this direction should ensure the rigidity of the joints and the
proper action of folded plates.
Procedure 2. Longitudinal beam analysis:
In the next part, we remove the imaginary support we had placed at the joints and
replace it with corresponding equal and opposite vertical loads at the joints 1, 2, 3…..R1, R2,
R3……as shown in fig.
These loads are then resolved as in plane loads acting on the two slabs meeting at that
joints. We assume these loads are carried longitudinally by the slab by acting as beam
between their supports. As the beams are shallow (the length more than three times their
depth), we treat them as ordinary beams and calculate the stresses at the top and bottom of the
slabs. Considering each slab as in bending under these in plane loads in the longitudinal
direction.
Procedure 3. Bringing stress compatibility:
The stresses calculated at the junctions as described above for the two adjacent plates
at a joint can be entirely different. In most cases, the stresses thus calculated in the plate on
opposite sides of a joint and the other compression on the other side of the joint. But in
reality, they must be equal in magnitude and sign.
Procedure 4: correction analysis (calculations of plate deflections and rotations)
The procedure is to calculate the plate deflections and consequent rotation of joints
that will happen with the results of our approximate analysis. This should be eliminated as, in
reality; the angles at the joints in the structures do not undergo any changes. There will also
minor changes in the transverse moment obtained in step 1 due to this correction. These
minor corrections in the transverse moments are usually very small and may be neglected in
most cases.