A mindlin plate triangular element with improved interpolation based on Timoshenko's beam theory

A triangular plate bending element, based on the generalized conforming ele ment theory, has been formulated. The variations of the rotation and shear strain along each side are determined based on Timoshenko's beam theory. Th e rotation and shear strain fields within the element are then obtained usi ng interpolation. As the plate becomes progressively thinner, the shear str ain field approaches zero automatically, and thus the proposed element type is free of shear locking. The excellent performance of the proposed elemen t type in the analysis of both thick and thin plates has been clearly illus trated in the numerical examples presented. Moreover, the formulation metho d presented in this paper is general, and thus can be used to develop quadr ilateral elements. Copyright (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.