Generalized hybrid degenerated elements for plates and shells

Abstract

Based on a hybrid variational principle in which displacements, strains and stresses are taken as independent variables, two quadrilateral plate/shell generalized hybrid elements GHS6 and GHS4 with six or four internal displacement parameters have been developed. The elements can be used for the analysis of both moderately thick and thin plates/shells. The multi-variable principle exhibits greater versatility and effectiveness in formulating complex degenerated plate/shell elements with multiple constraints. The elements developed have been found to be completely free from the shear/membrane force locking phenomenon and are also highly accurate and computationally efficient. The role of the internal parameters in the elimination of the locking phenomenon and the general principles governing the choice of such parameters are discussed in depth. Several numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed elements for moderately thick and thin plate/shell problems. © 1990.