The analysis of the structure behavior using the code package “GEFEST”. Part 1: Finite element simulation of 3D structures by space plates

This paper is the first in the series of papers to be published describing the code package Gefest – a solver of dynamic elasticity problems. The paper considers in details the first solving stage concerned with finite element discretization of 3D structures by space plates. For a number of tests the eigenfrequencies determined by use of Gefest are compared with eigenfrequencies of the corresponding differential problem calculated analytically and numerically using difference methods. The paper describes how the package implements assembling the mass and stiffness matrices for the dynamic equations system to be solved in a finite element model. One of the distinctive features of the package is using spars row-wise representation of the mass and stiffness matrices. The numerical algorithms for solving eigenvalue problem, the methods integrating dynamic equations and the results of calculations for real structures are to be considered in the following papers.