Multiple Folded Plates with Various End Conditions

A simple method for the analysis of multiple folded-plate systems is presented based on the ordinary folded-plate theory. The procedure may be applied to any single-span system having any number of plates meeting at a given joint. Use of loading, moment, and deflection reference curves together with node-point computations allow various end support conditions and types of loading to be analyzed without applying deflection coefficients. The validity and the accuracy of the results are evaluated on the basis of holding force error curves. The method is also useful for warping-torsion problems. A Fortran computer program based on the method has been developed for the IBM 360/50 digital computer. The paper summarizes this program and demonstrates the method with several example plate systems.