A hybrid-mixed finite element model based on Legendre polynomials for Reissner-Mindlin plates Original Research Article

A hybrid-mixed formulation for Reissner-Mindlin plates is presented. The finite element formulation is derived from first-principles of Mechanics. The stress-resultants and the displacements in the domain of the element and the displacements on the boundary are simultaneously and independently approximated using Legendre polynomials. Numerical applications are presented to illustrate the performance of the suggested Reissner-Mindlin plate element.