'Periodica Polytechnica Budapest University of Technology and Economics'
Abstract
The paper presents an extension of classical thin shell theory to those with moderate
thickness, having simplex order h/R ≤ 0.2 ... 0.33. The application of the flexibility
matrix method is studied to realise a computerised analysis of centrifugal disks separators
for the influence of the central load Fa induced for assembling the bowl and for the critical
area junctions. In the first time, the separator's bowl is divided in structural elements; each
of the structural elements is at first considered separately and then the global generalised
forces and bending moments are obtained from the displacement compatibility conditions
at each element junction. Comparative experimental investigations based on recording
surface strains at selected locations of the bowl performed with strain gauges reveal a
reasonable agreement. The main features of the method as, (1) reasonable accuracy of
the results, (2) reasonable positioning of the critical junctions, (3) low computational cost,
give a real possibility in the design work