Analytical and Model Studies of Prestressed Folded Plates

A semi-iterative technique employing finite differences is used to obtain a numerical solution for displacements, tractions, stresses, and strains of prestressed folded plate structures. General differential elasticity equations along with differential plate equations involving the three displacements, u, v, and w, and the traction M_x, are written as four second-order equations. This technique allows the use of a tridiagonal matrix routine for the solution of the resulting difference equations. The computer program written for the solution of the formulated equation handles both draped cables and straight tendons. To substantiate the analytical solution, experimental results from two epoxy models are compared with the values predicted by the theory presented.