Abstract: In this paper, a computational method for finite element stress analysis of a cyclically symmetric structure subjected to arbitrary loads is provided. At first, using discrete Fourier transformation technique, the complete structure is analyzed by considering only one sector with appropriate complex constraints on its boundary with the adjacent sectors. Next, an imaginary structure which is composed of two identically overlapping sectors is constructed, and that the complex constraints mentioned above can be equivalently replaced by a set of real constraints on this imaginary structure is proved. Therefore, the stress analysis of a cyclically symmetric structure can be solved conveniently by most of finite element programs.

Key words: cyclically symmetric structure, finite element method, stress analysis