A Method of Calculation of Non-Homogeneous, Rotationally Symmetric Circular Plates, Supported on Piles

Abstract

The paper presents a method of calculation of rotationally symmetric circular plates, supported on piles and having a stiffness changing in the radial direction. The method is based on the superposition rule, i.e., an initial plate supported on piles is treated as a combination of two plates clamped on a middle post with a small diameter, wherein the first plate is loaded such as the initial one and the second plate is loaded by forces occurring as reactions in the piles of the initial plate. Obtained results are concordant with the engineer’s intuition and a comparison of results for various plates shows high similarity between each other. As works dealing with the analogical problems have not been found in the literature, then this concordance and similarity can be acknowledged as a premise showing a correctness of the presented method. The results obtained in the method have been compared to results obtained in a professional FEM-based environment for building construction design. It has been stated that in many cases the results of the presented method are highly concordant to those of the FEM, though in some cases discrepancies exist. However, the FEM is an approximate method, especially if related to plates, thus its results should be taken with a great care. In general, it can be stated that the presented method deserves an attention and further studies.