Finite Strip Method in Structural Analysis is a concise introduction to the theory of the finite strip method and its application to structural engineering, with special reference to practical structures such as slab bridges and box girder bridges. Topics covered include the bending of plates and plate-beam systems, with application to slab-beam bridges; plane stress analysis; vibration and stability of plates and shells; and finite layer and finite prism methods.
Comprised of eight chapters, this book begins with an overview of the theory of the finite strip method, highlighting the importance of the choice of suitable displacement functions for a strip as well as the formulation of strip characteristics. Subsequent chapters consider many different types of finite strips for plate and shell problems and present numerical examples. The extension of the finite strip method to three-dimensional problems is then described, with emphasis on the finite layer method and the finite prism method. The final chapter discusses some computer methods that are commonly used in structural analysis. A folded plate computer program is included for completeness, and a detailed description for a worked problem is also presented for the sake of clarity.
This monograph will be of interest to civil and structural engineers.

PrefaceNomenclature1. Finite Strip Method 1.1. Introduction 1.2. Choice of Displacement Functions 1.3. Available Displacement Functions 1.4. Formulation of Strip Characteristics through Minimum Total Potential Energy Principle References2. Bending of Plates and Plate-Beam Systems with Application to Slab-Beam Bridges 2.1. Introduction 2.2. Rectangular Plate Strip 2.3. Curved Plate Strip 2.4. Skewed Plate Strip Simply Supported at Two Opposite Sides 2.5. Stiffness Matrix of a Beam in Bending and Torsion 2.6. Numerical Examples 2.7. Application to Slab Bridges References3. Plane Stress Analysis 3.1. Introduction 3.2. Rectangular Plane Stress Strip 3.3. Curved Strip 3.4. Numerical Examples References4. Analysis of Folded Plate Structures with Special Reference to Box Girder Bridges 4.1. Introduction 4.2. Formulation of Stiffness Matrix 4.3. Transformation of Coordinates 4.4. Applications to Folded Plate Structures 4.5. Application to Box Girder Bridges References5. Vibration and Stability of Plates and Shells 5.1. Matrix Theory of Free Vibrations 5.2. Derivation of Consistent Mass Matrix of a Strip 5.3. Consistent Mass Matrices of Plate Strips in Bending 5.4. Consistent Mass Matrices for Plane Stress Plate Strips 5.5. Comprehensive Mass Matrix for Flat Shell Strips 5.6. Vibration of Thin-Walled Structures 5.7. Cylindrical Shell Strip 5.8. Numerical Examples 5.9. Special Application to Dynamic Analysis of Bridges 5.10. Stability Analysis of Stiffened Plate Structures References6. Further Developments in Finite Strip Analysis 6.1. Introduction 6.2. Free Vibration of Partially Clamped Plates Using a "mixed" Strip 6.3. Prismatic Plate and Shell Structure with Flexible end Supports 6.4. Bending and Vibration of Multi-Layer Sandwich Plates References7. Finite Layer Method and Finite Prism Method 7.1. Introduction 7.2. Finite Layer Method 7.3. Finite Prism Method References8. Computation Methods and Computer Program 8.1. Introduction 8.2. Data Preparation 8.3. Individual Stiffness Matrix and Transformation Matrix 8.4. Assemblage of Stiffness Matrices 8.5. Introduction of Prescribed Displacements 5.6. Solution of Simultaneous Equations 8.7. Calculation of Internal Forces 8.8. Eigenvalue Solution 8.9. Folded Plate Computer ProgramAuthor IndexSubject Index