An assumed strain formulation of efficient solid triangular element for general shell analysis

An e$cient assumed strain triangular solid element is developed for the analysis of plate and shell structures. The "nite element formulation is based on the two-"eld assumed strain formulation with two independent "elds of assumed displacement and assumed strain. The assumed strain "eld is carefully selected to alleviate the shear locking e!ect without triggering undesirable spurious kinematic modes. The curvilinear surface of shell structures is modelled with #at facet elements to obviate the membrane locking e!ect. The patch tests are successfully passed, and numerical test involving various example problems demonstrates the validity and e$ciency of the present element.