FOLDED PLATE ANALYSIS

1. A V-Shape Folded Plate ABCDE spans over 20 m between the transverse and the folds
have a uniform thickness of 100 mm. The plates are inclined at 45o to the vertical and
horizontal projections of each plates 5 m. Edge A, C, E are the ridge s and the edge B and
D from the valley portion. The folded is to be analyzed for incidental live load of 1
KN/m2 of covered area. Analyze the stress distribution at the section of span using the
three moment equation.
Solution,
1. Available Data
Span of Plate (L) = 12 m
Thickness of Plate (t) = 100 mm
Inclination of plate on horizontal = 3 m
Incidental Live Load = 1 KN/m2

2. Load Calculation

Inclined Length of plate = 5√2 = 7.07 m

The unit weight of plte section = 0.1 x 24 KN/m2

The horizontal projection, unit weight = 2.4/5 x 5√2 = 3.39 KN/ m2

Live load on horizontal projection = 1 x 1 = 1KN/ m2
Actual total load on horizontal projection = DL + LL = 3.39 + 1 = 4.39 KN/m2
UDL per meter run of the span = w x span of unit length = 4.39 x 1 = 4.39 KN/m
3. Fixed End Moments

Plate Load (KN/m) Fixed End Remarks

Moment (KNm)
A-B 3.39 wl2/2 = 42.38 Cantilever
B-C 3.39 wl2/12 = 7.10 Fixed End
C-D 3.39 wl2/12 = 7.10 Fixed End
D-E 3.39 wl2/2 = 72.39 Cantilever
4. Moment Distribution
Joints B C D
Distribution 0 1 0.5 0.5 1 0
Factor
Initial Moment 42.38 -7.10 7.10 -7.10 7.10 -42.38
Balance -35.28 35.28
Carry Over -17.64 17.64
Final Moment 42.38 -42.38 -10.58 10.58 42.38 -42.38
Reaction Due 10.58u 10.58d 10.58d 10.58u
to Moment
Reaction Due 16.95u 8.48u 8.48u 8.48u 8.48u 8.48u
to Load
Total Reaction 36.01u 4.2d 36.01u
Joint Load 36.01d 4.2u 36.01d

5. Plate Loads
The Joint loads are resolved into Components along the directions of the plates
resulting in plate load as shown in figure

6. Analysis of Plate by Three shear method

Let TA, TB, TC, TD and TE be the joint shears.
TA = TE = 0 as A and E are assumed as free edge and TB, TC and TD are unknown
shears.
In Plane Moments due to Plate loads at mid span are:
M1 = wl2/8 = 25.46x 252/8 =1989.06 KNm
 M2 = -wl2/8 = -22.49x 252/8 =-1757.03 KNm
M3 = wl2/8 = 22.49x 252/8 =1757.03 KNm
M4 = wl2/8 = 25.46x 252/8 =-1989.06 KNm

Section Modulus, Z = t.h2/ 6 = 0.1x (5√2)2/6=0.833 m3

Area of the section, A = t x h = 0.1x5√2 = 0.707 m2

Stress due to Moment
Ϭ1 = M1/Z1 = 2387 KN/m2= 2.39 N/mm2
Ϭ2 = M2/Z2 = -2108 KN/m2 = 2.11 N/mm2
Ϭ3 = M3/Z3 = 2108 KN/m2 = -2.11 N/mm2
Ϭ4 = M4/Z4 = -2387 KN/m2 = -2.39 N/mm2
Applying Plate equation for joint A, B and C we get,
𝑇𝐴 1 1 𝑇𝐶 −1 𝑀1 𝑀2
+ 2𝑇𝐵 ( + ) + = ( + )
𝐴1 𝐴1 𝐴2 𝐴2 2 𝑍1 𝑍2
TA + 4TB + TC = -98.5
4TB + TC = -98.5
Similarly for joint B, C and D we get,
𝑇𝐵 1 1 𝑇𝐷 −1 𝑀2 𝑀3
+ 2𝑇𝐶 ( + ) + = ( + )
𝐴2 𝐴2 𝐴3 𝐴3 2 𝑍2 𝑍3
 TB + 4TC + 11TD = 0
For joint C, D and E we get,
𝑇𝑐 1 1 𝑇𝐸 −1 𝑀3 𝑀4
+ 2𝑇𝐷 ( + ) + = ( + )
𝐴3 𝐴3 𝐴4 𝐴4 2 𝑍3 𝑍4
TC + 4TD + TE = 98.5
TC + 4TD = 98.5
Solving above three equation we get,
TB = -24.625 KN = -24625 N
TC = 0KN
TD = 24.625 KN = 24625 N
Stress on the Plate-AB
𝑀1 𝑇𝐵 𝑇𝐵 ℎ1
σA =− + − = -2.39 +(-0.035) –(-0.105) = -2.32 N/mm2
𝑍1 𝐴1 2𝑍1
𝑀1 𝑇𝐵 𝑇𝐵 ℎ1
σB = + + = 2.39 +(-0.035) +(-0.105) = 2.25 N/mm2
𝑍1 𝐴1 2𝑍1

Stress on the Plate-BC

𝑀2 𝑇𝐵 𝑇𝐵 ℎ2
σB =− − − = 2.11 -(-0.035) –(-0.105) = 2.25 N/mm2
𝑍2 𝐴2 2𝑍2
𝑀2 𝑇𝐵 𝑇𝐵 ℎ2
σC = − + = -2.11 - (-0.035) + (-0.105) = -2.18 N/mm2
𝑍2 𝐴2 2𝑍2

Due to symmetricity,

σC = -2.18 N/mm2
σD = 2.25 N/mm2
σE = -2.32 N/mm2