Dynamic transient behaviour of two‐ and three‐dimensional structures including plasticity, large deformation effects and fluid interaction

The finite element method is employed in the prediction of the dynamic transient response of two‐ and three‐dimensional solids exhibiting geometric (large deformations) and material (elasto‐plastic) non‐linearities. Explicit time marching schemes are adopted for integration of the dynamic equilibrium equation and a diagonal ‘lumped’ mass matrix is employed with a special procedure applicable to parabolic isoparametric elements. A variety of problems are presented including a solid/fluid interaction situation, and the method is shown to be able to solve economically many problems of dynamic or catastrophic nature which can occur in such structures as nuclear reactors, containment vessels, etc.