The Timoshenko convention is used for forces in 2D elements. This means
that a moment is based on the stress in the direction. With the
Timoshenko convention if a slab is in compression on the top face in
both the and directions the moments are both negative. Consequently
starting from the assumption that tensile stress is positive, we have
the following relationships for the forces and moments
Following from this a plate that has a positive in-plane stress in /
will have a positive force resultant and a positive bending stress in
/ (i.e. positive stress at the top surface relative to the bottom
surface) will have a positive moment.
When the structure is linear these simplify to:
where the superscripts and refer to in-plane and bending stress
terms.
When in-plane and bending thickness modifiers are user the in-plane
forces are based on the in-plane thickness and the moments and shear
forces are based on the bending thickness. Stresses are always based on
the actual thickness of the element.
