A Three-Node Triangular Constant Strain Element for Evaluation of Stress Concentration Factor of a Rectangular Thin Plate Under Tension Load

In many engineering fields such as aerospace, marine, automotive and mechanical, the design of planar structures consisting of rectangular plates commonly requires the use of holes as a technological solution in fastening assemblies. The major goal of this research is to examine the impact of stress concentration factors (SCF) in the specific case of planar structures, highlight their relevance as a potential source of structural failure, and compare the various techniques employed to gauge their magnitude. Particular emphasis will be placed on rectangular plates with holes since these plates' shape discontinuities alter the stress field, leading to a local increase in the stress field that, if not accurately predicted and analyzed at the design stage, could endanger the entire structure. For the studied case (rectangular plate with central hole subjected to uniform tensile field), a new finite element formulation based on 3-noded triangular element has been suggested to estimate the field variables (stress). MATLAB programming has been developed by considering this element. Analysis has been carried out for the same structure (rectangular plate) with analysis software Abaqus. Finding was compared to several analytical solutions published in the literature, based on Heywood, Howland, and Flynn formulations. Obtained results were in good agreement.