BEAMS, MEMBRANES, PLATES and SHELLS

Possible uses for this information will include:

Providing useful information to self-learners;
Providing focus for the developers of short courses, text books and other learning
material;
Providing a basis for the production of self-test quizzes and examinations;
Providing the basis for registers of suitably qualified and experienced persons.

Recommended Competences
Standard
Category or Resource
& STATEMENT OF COMPETENCE Advanced Reference
Code Number and Code
EQF Level
Pre-Requisites
BMPSpr1 All learning outcomes in category FEA as
appropriate to industry, application and level.
BMPSpr2 All learning outcomes in category MESM as
appropriate to industry, application and level.
Knowledge
BMPSkn1 Sketch some typical shells of revolution from your S,7 BMPSref1
 industry sector.
BMPSkn2 Sketch typical beam, membrane, plate and shell
elements showing degrees of freedom and S,6 BMPSref2
corresponding force actions.
BMPSkn3 Define the plate flexural rigidity Constant D S,6 BMPSref3
Comprehension
BMPSco1 Describe the basic differences between a
S,6 BMPSref4
membrane, a plate and a shell.
BMPSco2 Explain the term and significance of a drilling
degree of freedom for a shell element (rotational A,7 BMPSref5
freedom normal to the shell surface).
BMPSco3 Discuss, in general terms, the assumptions inherent
in beam, plate or shell theory forming the basis of S,7 BMPSref6
any element being used.
BMPSco4
BMPSco5 Explain the concepts behind the use of reduced
integration bricks for the analysis of shell A,7 BMPSref8
structures.
BMPSco6 Discuss how sensitive the plate or shell elements
A,7 BMPSref9
being used are to distortion.
BMPSco7 Discuss any unique or unusual features of the
elements being used (e.g. Semiloof or cylindrical A,7 BMPSref10
shell).
BMPSco8 Discuss any limitations of elements being used in
relation to their underlying formulation (e.g. use A,7 BMPSref11
of shallow shell theory or cylindrical shell theory).
BMPSco9 Discuss the significance of a facetted S,7 BMPSref12
representation of a curved shell, where relevant
and explain why use of this type of element is no
 longer necessary.
BMPSco10 Discuss the theoretical basis of Axi-Fourier shell
idealisation and explain why such elements have A,7 BMPSref13
largely fallen into disuse.
BMPSco11 Describe the Love-Kirchoff assumptions. S,7 BMPSref14
BMPSco12 Describe the Mindlin hypothesis and explain why
S,7 BMPSref15
this is generally more accurate at discontinuities.
BMPSco13 Outline the salient features of various higher order
A,7 BMPSref16
shell theories.
BMPSco14 Describe any inherent dangers in using a
membrane or a plate idealisation rather than a S,7 BMPSref17
shell one.
BMPSco15 Discuss the use of beam and shell elements to
A,7 BMPSref18
model stiffeners and highlight limitations.
BMPSco16 Discuss the basis of shell discontinuity analysis. A,7 BMPSref19
BMPSco17 Discuss the nature of discontinuity stresses in shells
A,7 BMPSref20
and sketch typical distributions.
BMPSco18 Explain how shell membrane and bending stiffness
S,6 BMPSref21
and stress vary with thickness.
BMPSco19 Explain the term Shell Stress Resultant and
illustrate the resultants existing at the intersection A,7 BMPSref22
of an axisymmetric shell.
BMPSco20 Discuss the issue of decay lengths in cylindrical and
spherical shells and explain how this knowledge S,7 BMPSref23
may be used to decide model extents for FEA.
BMPSco21 Discuss the challenges in describing the orientation
S,7 BMPSref24
of principal bending planes for beam elements.
BMPSco22 Describe the terms Neutral Axis and Centroidal Axis
S,6 BMPSref25
in relation to beam elements.
BMPSco23 Describe the terms Shear Centre, Shear
Coefficients, Torsional Constant and Warping in S,7 BMPSref26
relation to beam elements.
BMPSco24 Explain why a cubic polynomial is commonly used
S,7 BMPSref27
for beam element shape functions.
BMPSco25 Explain why the through-thickness stress is
S,7 BMPSref28
commonly neglected in thin shells.
BMPSco26 Describe the boundary conditions appropriate to
fully-fixed and simply supported beams and S,6 BMPSref29
shells and explain the link to bending stress.
BMPSco27 Discuss the inner and outer surface meridional and
hoop stress distributions in the vicinity of a S,7 BMPSref30
pressurised cylinder/head junction.
BMPSco28 Explain why the base of a storage tank full of liquid
S,7 BMPSref31
can lift up from its foundation.
BMPSco29 Discuss the effect of an offset in shell mid-surface
S,7 BMPSref32
on local and global result quantities.
BMPSco30 Discuss how beam and shell elements can be used
S,7 BMPSref33
to model tapering thicknesses.
BMPSco31 Explain the challenges in connecting beam and
A,7 BMPSref34
shell elements to solids.
BMPSco32 Discuss the issues in modelling
wrapper/compensation/spreader/ reinforcing A,7 BMPSref35
plates effectively.
BMPSco33 Discuss solution characteristics for a shell element
idealisation of an intersection with a slope S,7 BMPSref36
discontinuity.
BMPSco34 Explain how to improve the estimate of weld A,7 BMPSref37
stiffness and stresses, for a shell element
 idealisation of an intersection with slope
discontinuity.
Application
BMPSap1 Employ available geometric modelling facilities,
where relevant, to extract mid-surfaces from solid S,7 BMPSref38
models and identify areas of difficulty.
BMPSap2 Employ appropriate techniques to retrieve hot-spot
and other stress quantities for the assessment of S,7 BMPSref39
welds.
BMPSap3 Determine positive plate/shell normal directions and
use this effectively in the application of pressure S,7 BMPSref40
and the correct display of surface stress plots.
BMPSap4 Use beam elements effectively for appropriate
S,7 BMPSref41
idealisations of components and structures.
BMPSap5 Use membrane elements effectively for appropriate
S,7 BMPSref48
idealisations of components and structures.
BMPSap6 Use plate elements effectively for appropriate
S,7 BMPSref49
idealisations of components and structures.
BMPSap7 Use shell elements effectively for appropriate
S,7 BMPSref50
idealisations of components and structures.
BMPSap8 Employ shell elements to model
wrapper/compensation/spreader/reinforcing S,7 BMPSref42
plates effectively.
BMPSap9 Employ shell elements to model the effects of welds
at intersections with a mid-surface slope A,7 BMPSref43
discontinuity.
Analysis
BMPSan1 Analyse requirements for finite element models of S,7 BMPSref51
industrial components using beam, membrane,
 plate and shell elements and determine whether
the basic assumptions inherent in the element
formulations are valid.
Synthesis
BMPSsy1 Plan modelling strategies for stiffened plate/shell
A,7 BMPSref44
structures.
Evaluation
BMPSev1 Justify the appropriateness of a beam, membrane,
A,7 BMPSref45
plate or shell idealisation for any analysis.
BMPSev2 Select suitable idealisations for welded, bonded,
riveted and bolted joints in fabricated plate/shell A,7 BMPSref46
structures.
BMPSev3 Assess whether shear deformation effects are
A,7 BMPSref47
significant.

REFERENCES:

BMPSref1 Theory of Plates and Shells, Chapter 16, Timoshenko S.P. & Woinowsky-Kreiger S, McGraw-Hill, 2nd Edition,
ISBN 978-0-07-085820-6, 2007.

BMPSref2 How to- Use Beam, Plate and Shell Elements, Chapter 3, Trevor Hellen, NAFEMS Ltd, ISBN 1-874376-21-2.
Concepts and Applications of Finite Element Analysis, Chapters 2,15 & 16, Cook RD et al, John Wiley & Sons,
ISBN 10: 0471356050.

BMPSref3 Roarks Formulas for Stress and Strain, Chapter 10, Warren C. Young, Mcgraw-Hill, ISBN 10: 0070725411.
How to- Use Beam,Plate and Shell Elements, Section 2.3.4, Trevor Hellen, Nafems Ltd, ISBN 0-874376-21-2.
BMPSref4 How to Model with Finite Elements, Chapter 5, Baguley D. & Hose D.R., NAFEMS Ltd, 1977.
Concepts and Applications of Finite Element Analysis, Chapter 15 & 16, Cook RD et al, John Wiley & Sons, ISBN
0-471-35605-0.

BMPSref5 Concepts and Applications of Finite Element Analysis, Chapter 16, Cook RD et al, John Wiley & Sons, ISBN 0
471-35605-0.
Finite Elements: Their Design and Performance,Section 8.2, Richard H. MacNeal, Marcel Dekker Inc., ISBN 0-
8247-9162-2.

BMPSref6 Strength of Materials, Chapters 1,2,3,5&8, J. P. Den Hartog, 1st Edition, McGraw-Hill Book Co. Inc., 1949.
Theory of Plates and Shells, Timoshenko S.P. & Woinowsky-Kreiger S, McGraw-Hill, 2nd Edition,
ISBN 978-0-07-085820-6, 2007.
System Theoretical, Application & User Manuals.

BMPSref7 Finite Elements: Their Design and Performance,Chapter 10, Richard H. MacNeal, Marcel Dekker Inc., ISBN 0-
8247-9162-2.

BMPSref8 Finite Element Idealization, Chapter A2.4, ASCE, New York, ISBN 0-87262-628-8.

BMPSref9 How to- Use Elements Effectively, Chapter 5, Trevor Hellen, NAFEMS Ltd., 2003.
Finite Elements: Their Design and Performance, Chapter 6, Richard H. MacNeal, Marcel Dekker Inc., ISBN 0-
8247-9162-2.
System Theoretical, Application & User Manuals.

BMPSref10 How to- Use Beam, Plate and Shell Elements, Chapters 3&4, Trevor Hellen, NAFEMS Ltd, ISBN 1-874376-21-2.

BMPSref11 System Theoretical, Application & User Manuals.

Theory of Plates and Shells, Timoshenko S.P. & Woinowsky-Kreiger S, McGraw-Hill, 2nd Edition,
ISBN 978-0-07-085820-6, 2007.
BMPSref12 How to- Use Beam, Plate and Shell Elements, Chapter 5 Trevor Hellen, NAFEMS Ltd, ISBN 1-874376-21-2.
 Finite Elements: Their Design and Performance, Chapter 10, Richard H. MacNeal, Marcel Dekker Inc., ISBN 0-
8247-9162-2.

BMPSref13 How to- Use Beam, Plate and Shell Elements, Chapter 3.5.5 Trevor Hellen, NAFEMS Ltd, ISBN 1-874376-21-2.

BMPSref14 Foundations of Elastic Shell Theory, Sections 4.1 to 4.3&6.1, P. M. Naghdi, Chapter 1 of Progress in Solid
Mechanics, Edited by I. N. Sneddon & R. Hill, North-Holland Publishing Company, 1963.

BMPSref15 How to- Use Beam, Plate and Shell Elements, Section 2.3.3 Trevor Hellen, NAFEMS Ltd, ISBN 1-874376-21-2.
Finite Elements: Their Design and Performance, Section 9.3, Richard H. MacNeal, Marcel Dekker Inc., ISBN 0-
8247-9162-2.

BMPSref16 Foundations of Elastic Shell Theory, Section 6 , P. M. Naghdi, Chapter 1 of Progress in Solid
Mechanics, Edited by I. N. Sneddon & R. Hill, North-Holland Publishing Company, 1963.
Thin Shell Theory, 2nd Edition, Chapter 4 Sections 59-61, V. V. Novozhilov, P. Noordhoff Ltd., The Netherlands,
1964.

BMPSref17 How to- Use Beam, Plate and Shell Elements, Chapter 3, Trevor Hellen, NAFEMS Ltd, ISBN 1-874376-21-2.

BMPSref18 How to- Use Beam, Plate and Shell Elements, Chapters 1,2,3,4,5,6, Trevor Hellen, NAFEMS Ltd, ISBN 1-874376-2
1-2.
Finite Element Idealization, Chapter A6.3, ASCE, New York, ISBN 0-87262-628-8.

BMPSref19 Theory of Plates and Shells, Chapter 15 Section 116, Timoshenko S.P. & Woinowsky-Kreiger S, McGraw-Hill, 2nd
Edition, ISBN 978-0-07-085820-6, 2007.

BMPSref20 Theory of Plates and Shells, Chapter 14 Section 104 and Chapter 16 Section 131, Timoshenko S.P. & Woinowsky-
Kreiger S, McGraw-Hill, 2nd Edition, ISBN 978-0-07-085820-6, 2007.
Stresses in Shells, Chapter 6, Flugge W, Springer-Verlag, 4th Printing, 1967.
BMPSref21 Theory of Plates and Shells, Chapter 2 Section 10, Timoshenko S.P. & Woinowsky-Kreiger S, McGraw-Hill,
2nd Edition, ISBN 978-0-07-085820-6, 2007.
How to- Use Beam, Plate and Shell Elements, Chapter 2, Trevor Hellen, NAFEMS Ltd, ISBN 1-874376-21-2.

BMPSref22 Theory of Plates and Shells, Chapter 14 Section 104 and Chapter 16 Section 131, Timoshenko S.P. & Woinowsky-
Kreiger S, McGraw-Hill, 2nd Edition, ISBN 978-0-07-085820-6, 2007.
Linear Elastic Theory of Thin Shells, Chapters 1,4,5, J. E. Gibson, Pergamon Press, 1965.
Thin Shell Theory, 2nd Edition, Chapter 4 Sections 57-59, V. V. Novozhilov, P. Noordhoff Ltd., The Netherlands,
1964.

BMPSref23 Finite Elements: Their Design and Performance, Section 10.1.2, Richard H. MacNeal, Marcel Dekker Inc., ISBN 0-
8247-9162-2.

BMPSref24 System Theoretical, Application & User Manuals.

Finite Element Analysis Theory and Application with ANSYS, 3rd Edition, Section 4.5, Saeed Moaveni, Pearson
Education, Inc., ISBN 10: 0-13-189080-8.

BMPSref25 Strength of Materials, Chapters 3&4, J. P. Den Hartog, 1st Edition, McGraw-Hill Book Co. Inc., 1949.
BMPSref26 How to- Use Beam, Plate and Shell Elements, Chapter 3, Trevor Hellen, NAFEMS Ltd, ISBN 1-874376-21-2.
Strength of Materials, Chapters 2, 5&6, J. P. Den Hartog, 1st Edition, McGraw-Hill Book Co. Inc., 1949.
Theory of Elasticity, 2nd Edition, Chapters 3,4,10,11&12, Timoshenko & Goodier, McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc,,
1951.

BMPSref27 Concepts and Applications of Finite Element Analysis, Chapter 2, Cook RD et al, John Wiley & Sons,
ISBN 10: 0471356050.
How to- Use Beam, Plate and Shell Elements, Chapter 3, Trevor Hellen, NAFEMS Ltd, ISBN 1-874376-21-2.
Finite Element Analysis: Theory and application with ANSYS, Chapter 4, 3rd Edition, Saeed Moaveni, Pearson
Education Inc., ISBN 10: 0-13-189080-8.
BMPSref28 A Treatise on the Mathematical Theory of Elasticity, 4th Edition, Sections 328 & 332, A. E. H. Love, Dover
Publications, Inc.,1944.
Theoretical Elasticity, 2nd Edition, Chapters 7&16, A. E. Green & W. Zerna, Oxford University Press, 1968.

BMPSref29 Theory of Elasticity, 2nd Edition, Sections 22, 23&39, Timoshenko & Goodier, McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc,,
1951.
How to- Use Beam, Plate and Shell Elements, Chapter 3, Trevor Hellen, NAFEMS Ltd, ISBN 1-874376-21-2.

BMPSref30 Stresses in Shells, Chapter 6, Flugge W, Springer-Verlag, 4th Printing, 1967.

Thin Shell Theory, 2nd Edition, Chapter 4 Sections 59-61, V. V. Novozhilov, P. Noordhoff Ltd., The Netherlands,
1964.

BMPSref31 Advanced Strength of Materials, Chapter V, Section 25, J. P. Den Hartog, McGraw-Hill Book Company Inc., ISBN
07-016400-2.
Finite Element Idealization, Chapter A6.5a, ASCE, New York, ISBN 0-87262-628-8.
Linear Elastic Theory of Thin Shells, Chapters 1.7,2.12 &2.14, J. E. Gibson, Pergamon Press, 1965.

BMPSref32 Procedural Benchmarks for Common Fabrication Details in Plate/Shell Structures, Benchmark E&D3, J. Wood,
NAFEMS Ltd, ISBN 1 874 376 02 6.
How to- Use Beam, Plate and Shell Elements, Chapter 5, Trevor Hellen, NAFEMS Ltd, ISBN 1-874376-21-2.

BMPSref33 How to- Use Beam, Plate and Shell Elements, Chapter 5, Trevor Hellen, NAFEMS Ltd, ISBN 1-874376-21-2.
Finite Element Idealization, Chapter A6.3, ASCE, New York, ISBN 0-87262-628-8.

BMPSref34 How to- Use Beam, Plate and Shell Elements, Chapter 5, Trevor Hellen, NAFEMS Ltd, ISBN 1-874376-21-2.
Finite Element Idealization, Chapter A2.4, A2.7&A6.1, ASCE, New York, ISBN 0-87262-628-8.
Finite Elements: Their Design and Performance, Chapter 10, Richard H. MacNeal, Marcel Dekker Inc., ISBN 0-

BMPSref35 How to- Use Beam, Plate and Shell Elements, Chapter 5, Trevor Hellen, NAFEMS Ltd, ISBN 1-874376-21-2.
 Procedural Benchmarks for Common Fabrication Details in Plate/Shell Structures, Benchmark E&D2, J. Wood,
NAFEMS Ltd, ISBN 1 874 376 02 6.

BMPSref36 Procedural Benchmarks for Common Fabrication Details in Plate/Shell Structures, Benchmark E&D1, J. Wood,
NAFEMS Ltd, ISBN 1 874 376 02 6.

BMPSref37 How to- Use Beam, Plate and Shell Elements, Chapter 6, Trevor Hellen, NAFEMS Ltd, ISBN 1-874376-21-2.
Procedural Benchmarks for Common Fabrication Details in Plate/Shell Structures, Benchmark E&D1 and Appendix
1 , J. Wood, NAFEMS Ltd, ISBN 1 874 376 02 6.

BMPSref38 System User Manuals and suitable experiential learning in an industrial context and environment.

BMPSref39 Structural hot spot stress based fatigue design for welded structures using finite element analysis, L. Wei,
TWI Report 855/2006, July 2006.
System User Manuals and suitable experiential learning in an industrial context and environment.

BMPSref40 System User Manuals and suitable experiential learning in an industrial context and environment.
How to- Use Elements Effectively, Chapters 4, 5 & 7, Trevor Hellen, NAFEMS Ltd., 2003.

BMPSref41 System User Manuals and suitable experiential learning in an industrial context and environment.
How to- Use Beam, Plate and Shell Elements, Chapter 4, Trevor Hellen, NAFEMS Ltd, ISBN 1-874376-21-2.
Concepts and Applications of Finite Element Analysis, Chapters 2,15 & 16, Cook RD et al, John Wiley & Sons,
ISBN 10: 0471356050.

BMPSref42 System User Manuals and suitable experiential learning in an industrial context and environment.
Procedural Benchmarks for Common Fabrication Details in Plate/Shell Structures, Benchmark E&D2, J. Wood,
NAFEMS Ltd, ISBN 1 874 376 02 6.
BMPSref43 System User Manuals and suitable experiential learning in an industrial context and environment.
Procedural Benchmarks for Common Fabrication Details in Plate/Shell Structures, Benchmark E&D1, J. Wood,
NAFEMS Ltd, ISBN 1 874 376 02 6.

BMPSref44 Thin Plates and Shells - Theory, Analysis and Applications, Ventsel E, and Krauthammer E, Marcel Dekker Inc.
ISBN: 0-8247-0575-0, 2001 and suitable experiential learning in an industrial context and environment.
NAFEMS QSS 001:2007 : Engineering Simulation Quality Management Systems Requirements, 1st Edition,
NAFEMS Ltd. 2007.
Quality Management in Engineering Simulation, A Primer for the NAFEMS QSS, J M Smith, NAFEMS Ltd, 2008.

BMPSref45 How to- Use Beam, Plate and Shell Elements, Chapter 3, Trevor Hellen, NAFEMS Ltd, ISBN 1-874376-21-2.
Concepts and Applications of Finite Element Analysis, Chapters 2,15 & 16, Cook RD et al, John Wiley & Sons,
ISBN 10: 0471356050.

BMPSref46 Procedural Benchmarks for Common Fabrication Details in Plate/Shell Structures, Appendix 1, J. Wood,
NAFEMS Ltd, ISBN 1 874 376 02 6.
Advanced Workbook of Examples(Volume 1), Modelling adhesively bonded joints, T Dickerson, NAFEMS Ltd,
Report R0078, 2001.
Advanced Workbook of Examples and Case Studies(Volume 2), Investigation of screw thread pre-loads using
three dimensional finite element analysis, R Johnson, NAFEMS Ltd Report R0086, 2003.

BMPSref47 Finite Elements: Their Design and Performance, Chapter 9, Richard H. MacNeal, Marcel Dekker Inc., ISBN 0-
8247-9162-2.

BMPSref48 System User Manuals and suitable experiential learning in an industrial context and environment.
How to- Use Beam, Plate and Shell Elements, Chapter 4, Trevor Hellen, NAFEMS Ltd, ISBN 1-874376-21-2.
Concepts and Applications of Finite Element Analysis, Chapters 2,15 & 16, Cook RD et al, John Wiley & Sons,
ISBN 10: 0471356050.
BMPSref49 System User Manuals and suitable experiential learning in an industrial context and environment.
 How to- Use Beam, Plate and Shell Elements, Chapter 4, Trevor Hellen, NAFEMS Ltd, ISBN 1-874376-21-2.
Concepts and Applications of Finite Element Analysis, Chapters 2,15 & 16, Cook RD et al, John Wiley & Sons,
ISBN 10: 0471356050.

BMPSref50 System User Manuals and suitable experiential learning in an industrial context and environment.
How to- Use Beam, Plate and Shell Elements, Chapter 4, Trevor Hellen, NAFEMS Ltd, ISBN 1-874376-21-2.
Concepts and Applications of Finite Element Analysis, Chapters 2,15 & 16, Cook RD et al, John Wiley & Sons,
ISBN 10: 0471356050.

BMPSref51 System User Manuals and suitable experiential learning in an industrial context and environment.