FINITE-ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF SHELL STRUCTURES

A survey of effective finite element formulations for the analysis of shell structures is presented. First, the: basic requirements for shel l elements are discussed, in which it is emphasized that generality an d reliability are most important items. A general displacement-based f ormulation is then briefly reviewed. This formulation is not effective ., but it is used as a starting point for developing a general and eff ective approach using the mixed interpolation of the tensorial compone nts. The formulation of various MITC elements (that is, elements based on Mixed Interpolation of Tensorial Components) are presented. Theore tical results (applicable to plate analysis) and various numerical res ults of analyses of plates and shells are summarized. These illustrate some current capabilities and the potential for further finite elemen t developments.