Isoparametric spline finite strip method for the bending of perforated plates

The isoparametric spline finite strip method was recently applied by the authors to the linear elastic in‐plane stress analysis of perforated thin‐walled structures. In this paper, the application of the method is extended to the bending of perforated plates. The paper describes the theory of the isoparametric spline finite strip method in the context of Mindlin plate bending theory. It sets out the strain–displacement and stress–strain relationships and derives expressions for the local and global stiffness matrices. The reliability of the method is demonstrated by comparisons with finely meshed finite element analysis results. Square plates in bending containing openings of different shapes are analysed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.