STATE-OF-THE-ART DEVELOPMENT OF HYBRID MIXED FINITE-ELEMENT METHOD

A brief review of multifield variational principles for the formulatio n of finite element methods in solid mechanics and an account of the e volution of hybrid/mixed finite element methods are presented first. D iscussions of recent applications of the hybrid/mixed finite element m ethods include: (1) formulation of Loof and semi-loof elements, (2) sp ecial elements based on a priori satisfaction of equilibrium and compa tibility conditions, (3) analysis of heterogeneous materials with rand omly distributed microstructures and (4) finite element and 3-D finite strip analyses of free edge problems in laminated composites.