Error estimation through the constitutive relation for Reissner-Mindlin plate bending finite elements

This paper deals with the so-called 'error estimation through the constitut ive relation' for Reissner-Mindlin plate bending finite element analysis, w hich is based on the calculation of statically admissible stress resultant fields. Further an energy norm through the constitutive relation is introdu ced to quantify the difference between the calculated statically admissible stress resultant fields and the stress resultants given by the finite elem ent analysis. The statically admissible stress resultant fields are obtaine d by local calculations at the node or at the element level. The procedures involve an optimization for estimating the statically admissible quantitie s as dose as possible to the finite element result, and thus lead to a more accurate error estimation, considering the Pragger-Synge theorem. The set of examples shows the good agreement between the proposed indicator and the error obtained from the analytical solution. It is concluded that plate be nding analysis is a field of application which is well fitted for error est imation through the constitutive relation. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. A ll rights reserved.