Constrained finite element method for thin-walled members with transverse stiffeners and end-plates

In this paper, a new version of the constrained finite element method is reported. The constrained finite method is essentially a shell finite element method, developed for the modal analysis of thin-walled members, where mechanical constraints can be applied to enforce the analyzed member to deform according to specific (e.g., global, distortional, or local) modes. This paper generalizes the method by extending its applicability to members with transverse plates such as end-plates and transverse stiffeners. In the paper, the basic formulae of the extended method are summarized, both for constrained analysis and modal identification. In order to validate the method and demonstrate its capabilities, several numerical examples are presented: the numerical results are evaluated and the results are compared to analytical solutions where available. •The constrained finite element method has been extended to members with transverse plates.•The extended cFEM can do calculations in a reduced deformation space, as well as modal identification.•To validate the extended cFEM, it has been applied for a large number of sample problems.•The cFEM results have been compared to analytical results and to results from alternative numerical methods.•The cFEM results are in accordance with the engineering expectations as well as with analytical solutions.