Vibration of stiffened plates using hierarchical trigonometric functions

The vibration analysis of stiffened plates using hierarchical finite elements with a set of local trigonometric interpolation functions is presented. The local functions extend on the plate domain comprised between consecutive stiffeners, thereby allowing a coarse discretization of the global structure. Convergence studies as well as comparison of the present approach with the literature and experimental results are presented. The great numerical stability of the trigonometric functions and their readiness for symbolic manipulations make them potentially attractive for vibration and sound radiation analysis in the mid-frequency range. (C) 2000 Academic Press.