A basic thin shell triangle with only translational DOFs large strain plasticity

A simple finite element triangle for thin shell analysis is presented. It h as only nine translational degrees of freedom and is based on a total Lagra ngian formulation. Large strain plasticity is considered using a logarithmi c strain-stress pair. A plane stress isotropic behaviour with an additive d ecomposition of elastic and plastic strains is assumed. A hyperelastic law is considered for the elastic part while for the plastic part a von Mises y ield function with non-linear isotropic hardening is adopted. The element i s an extension of a previous similar rotation-free triangle element based u pon an updated Lagrangian formulation with hypoelastic constitutive law. Th e element termed BST (for basic shell triangle) has been implemented in an explicit (hydro-) code adequate to simulate sheet-stamping processes and in an implicit static/dynamic code. Several examples are shown to assess the performance of the present formulation. Copyright (C) 2001 John Wiley & Son s, Ltd.