Boundary element-linear complementary equation solution to polygonial unilaterally simply supported plates

This article describes a method for the bending analysis of simply supported plates allowing for lifting at corners. The boundary element-linear complementary equation method (BE-LCEM) is described and used to solve the underlying problem. Following numerical discretisation using the boundary integral equation method for this contact problem, an effective linear complementary equation (LCE) is then established with two complementary variables for each contact node. Complementary variables are taken as the normal contact force and boundary deflection of the plate. The resulting LCEs are solved by using mathematical programming. Details of the transformation are described. A number of examples are presented for different shapes of plates to demonstrate the effectiveness of the features as implemented. Results are compared of simply supported plates with corners allowing for acid restrained from lifting. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.