Fractal two-level finite element analysis of cracked Reissner's plate

A cracked thick plate subjected to edge moment and transverse loading was customarily analysed either by a fine finite element mesh or by singular elements. In this paper an alternative method is recommended in which conventional finite elements with infinitesimal mesh are used and the number of unknowns is reduced by interpolating the nodal displacements by means of the global interpolating function around the singular region. The global interpolating function is derived by using eigenfunction technique based on Reissner's transverse shear plate theory. The crack parameters such as stress intensity factor and moment intensity factor can be evaluated directly from the coefficients of the global interpolating function. New elements need not to be generated and integration is avoided completely. Accurate results with error less than 0.5% are achieved with little computational efforts. Examples on edge cracked plate and central cracked plate subjected to both edge moment and transverse loading are considered.