High efficient predictive model for deformation of large panels with interaction effect of multi-point loads

Multi-point loading is the main approach for the deviation control of large panel structures. Panel deformation subjected to multi-point loads is significantly affected by the interactive effects between the loads due to the nonlinear mechanical behavior, which is difficult to be computed by conventional theoretical methods. The solutions of locations and magnitudes of multi-point loads are thus obtained with massive simulations for deviation compensation. In this paper, the interactive effect between the loads is modeled by a semi-analytic method to provide a rapid deformation prediction. Deformation of the multi-point loaded panels is decomposed into basic deformation solutions of individually loaded panels. Numerical correlation between these individual loads and the panel deformation is firstly constructed by simulations. Then, the interaction effects between the individual loads are equivalent as additional interactive forces and expressed as variables in the basic solutions according to the numerical correlations. Consequently, the deformation of multi-point loaded panel is rapidly predicted by the superposition of basic solutions with the interactive forces which are solved by the Betti reciprocity theorem and the principle of minimum potential energy. The results of the proposed method show satisfactory agreement with the experiment and a high computational efficiency. The capability of the proposed method in predicting the large deformation of multi-point loaded panels is thus demonstrated.