A continuum based three-dimensional shell element for laminated structures

In this paper a continuum based three-dimensional shell element for the non linear analysis of laminated shell structures is derived. The basis of the present finite element formulation is the standard eight-node brick element with tri-linear shape functions. Especially for thin structures under cert ain loading cases, the displacement based element is too stiff and tends to lock. Therefore we use assumed natural strain and enhanced assumed strain methods to improve the relatively poor element behaviour. The anisotropic m aterial behaviour of layered shells is modeled using a linear elastic ortho tropic material law in each layer. Linear and nonlinear examples show the a pplicability and effectivity of the element formulation. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.