Construction of optimal 3-node plate bending triangles by templates

A finite element template is a parametrized algebraic form that reduces to specific finite elements by setting numerical values to the free parameters . The present study concerns Kirchhoff Plate-Bending Triangles (KPT) with 3 nodes and 9 degrees of freedom. A 37-parameter template is constructed usi ng the Assumed Natural Deviatoric Strain (ANDES). Specialization of this te mplate includes well known elements such as DKT and HCT. The question addre ssed here is: can these parameters be selected to produce high performance elements! The study is carried out by staged application of constraints on the free parameters. The first stage produces element families satisfying i nvariance and aspect ratio insensitivity conditions. Application of energy balance constraints produces specific elements. The performance of such ele ments in benchmark tests is presently under study.