A triangular fractal plate bending element.

The stiffness matrix of a structural Sierpiński triangle under conditions of transversal bending is presented. The derivation is based exclusively on considerations of symmetry, equilibrium, and self-similarity. As a result, the stiffness matrix is shown to depend on a single material parameter. An illustrative numerical example is presented on the basis of an ad hoc computer code for the assembled stiffness of an overall structure consisting of a grid of fractal elements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]