A piezoelectric solid shell element based on a mixed variational formulation for geometrically linear and nonlinear applications

The paper is focused on a piezoelectric solid shell finite element formulation. A geometrically nonlinear theory allows large deformations and includes stability problems. The formulation is based on a variational principle of the Hu–Washizu type including six independent fields: displacements, electric potential, strains, electric field, mechanical stresses and dielectric displacements. The element has eight nodes with displacements and the electric potential as nodal degrees of freedom. A bilinear distribution through the thickness of the electric field is assumed to obtain correct results in bending dominated situations. The presented element is able to model arbitrary curved shells and incorporates a 3D-material law. Numerical examples demonstrate the ability of the proposed model to analyze piezoelectric devices.