Linear and Geometrically nonlinear analysis of plates and shells by a new refined non-conforming triangular plate/shell element

A refined non-conforming triangular plate/shell element for linear and geometrically nonlinear analysis of plates and shells is developed in this paper based on the refined non-conforming element method (RNEM). A conforming triangle membrane element with drilling degrees of freedom in Cartesian coordinates and the refined non-conforming triangular plate-bending element RT9, in which Kirchhoff kinematic assumption was adopted, are used to construct the present element. The displacement continuity condition along the interelement boundary is satisfied in an average sense for plate analysis, and the coupled displacement continuity requirement at the interelement is satisfied in an average sense, thereby improving the performance of the element for shell analysis. Selectively reduced integration with stabilization scheme is employed in this paper to avoid membrane locking. Numerical examples demonstrate that the present element behaves quite satisfactorily either for the linear analysis of plate bending problems and plane problems or for the geometrically nonlinear analysis of thin plates and shells with large displacement, moderate rotation but small strain.     

Refined non-conforming quadrilateral thin plate bending element

A refined non-conforming quadrilateral thin plate bending element RPQ4 which can satisfy the requirement of convergence is established such that the non-conforming displacement function can be derived directly. A simple explicit expression of a refined constant strain matrix can be introduced into the formulation of the standard displacement element which results in the constraint condition of interelement continuity being satisfied in an average sense. Numerical examples are presented to show that the present model can pass the patch test and possesses high accuracy. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

含两个分量的四边形单元面积坐标理论

为了便于构造抗畸变的四边形单元,建立了一套新的四边形单元面积坐标理论(QAC-2),并给出了相关的积分和微分公式。该坐标系作为自然坐标,具有明确的物理意义,且只含有两个相互独立的坐标分量,因此易于实现与直角坐标和等参坐标的沟通,便于理解和应用;两个坐标分量与直角坐标之间满足线性变换,在构造单元时易于选择完备的多项式序列,且多项式的完备次数不会随着网格的畸变而下降,因此可以保证单元的精度和抗畸变性能。     

Two refined non‐conforming quadrilateral flat shell elements

Two refined quadrilateral flat shell elements named RSQ20 and RSQ24 are constructed in this paper based on the refined non‐conforming element method, and the elements can satisfy the displacement compatibility requirement at the interelement of the non‐planar elements by introducing the common displacements suggested by Chen and Cheung. A refined quadrilateral plate element RPQ4 and a plane quadrilateral isoparametric element are combined to obtain the refined quadrilateral flat shell element RSQ20, and a refined quadrilateral flat shell element RSQ24 is constructed on the basis of a RPQ4 element and a quadrilateral isoparametric element with drilling degrees of freedom. The numerical examples show that the present method can improve the accuracy of shell analysis and that the two new refined quadrilateral flat shell elements are efficient and accurate in the linear analysis of some shell structures. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Three-dimensional 8-node and 20-node refined hybrid isoparametric elements

In this paper a new hybrid variational principle with independent variables of strain, stress and displacement and with a weaker constraint condition of interelement continuity is proposed. Based on this functional, a general formulation of a refined hybrid isoparametric element method has been established by the orthogonal approach. The present formulation is a rational approach to be adopted for deriving high-performance three-dimensional hybrid isoparametric elements even up to the higher-order 20-node element. Several numerical examples are presented to show that the present elements RGH₈(8-node) and RGH₂₀(20-node) have high accuracy, excellent computational efficiency and less sensitivity to mesh distortion.     

Simple cylindrical and spherical finite elements

Finite element approximations are developed for three‐dimensional domains naturally represented in either cylindrical or spherical coordinates. Lines of constant radius, axial length, or angle are used to represent the domain and cast approximations that are natural for these geometries. As opposed to general isoparametric three‐dimensional elements generated in conventional parent space, these elements can be evaluated analytically and do not generate geometric discretization error. They also allow for anisotropic material coefficients that are frequently aligned in either cylindrical or spherical coordinates. Several examples are provided that show convergence properties and comparison with analytical solutions of the Poisson equation.     

A shape‐free 8‐node plane element unsymmetric analytical trial function method

The unsymmetric FEM is one of the effective techniques for developing finite element models immune to various mesh distortions. However, because of the inherent limitation of the metric shape functions, the resulting element models exhibit rotational frame dependence and interpolation failure under certain conditions. In this paper, by introducing the analytical trial function method used in the hybrid stress‐function element method, an effort was made to naturally eliminate these defects and improve accuracy. The key point of the new strategy is that the monomial terms (the trial functions) in the assumed metric displacement fields are replaced by the fundamental analytical solutions of plane problems. Furthermore, some rational conditions are imposed on the trial functions so that the assumed displacement fields possess fourth‐order completeness in Cartesian coordinates. The resulting element model, denoted by US‐ATFQ8, can still work well when interpolation failure modes for original unsymmetric element occur, and provide the invariance for the coordinate rotation. Numerical results show that the exact solutions for constant strain/stress, pure bending and linear bending problems can be obtained by the new element US‐ATFQ8 using arbitrary severely distorted meshes, and produce more accurate results for other more complicated problems. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

一种新型的C_1阶协调任意四边形薄板弯曲单元

提出一种由单元协调边界位移直接插值单元位移的特殊插值法,并用该方法构造出一种新型的12节点参数C1阶协调任意四边形薄板弯曲单元。该特殊插值法分离了薄板单元完备性条件和C1阶连续条件的相互影响,从而才能直接构造出C1阶连续协调且完备薄板单元。理论证明该薄板单元具有完备性和C1阶连续性,数值分析表明其性能明显优于非协调单元。     

An unsymmetric 4‐node, 8‐DOF plane membrane element perfectly breaking through MacNeal's theorem

Among numerous finite element techniques, few models can perfectly (without any numerical problems) break through MacNeal's theorem: any 4‐node, 8‐DOF membrane element will either lock in in‐plane bending or fail to pass a C₀ patch test when the element's shape is an isosceles trapezoid. In this paper, a 4‐node plane quadrilateral membrane element is developed following the unsymmetric formulation concept, which means two different sets of interpolation functions for displacement fields are simultaneously used. The first set employs the shape functions of the traditional 4‐node bilinear isoparametric element, while the second set adopts a novel composite coordinate interpolation scheme with analytical trail function method, in which the Cartesian coordinates (x,y) and the second form of quadrilateral area coordinates (QACM‐II) (S,T) are applied together. The resulting element US‐ATFQ4 exhibits amazing performance in rigorous numerical tests. It is insensitive to various serious mesh distortions, free of trapezoidal locking, and can satisfy both the classical first‐order patch test and the second‐order patch test for pure bending. Furthermore, because of usage of the second form of quadrilateral area coordinates (QACM‐II), the new element provides the invariance for the coordinate rotation. It seems that the behaviors of the present model are beyond the well‐known contradiction defined by MacNeal's theorem. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A finite element for variable order singularities based on the displacement formulation

An element for analysis of variable order one point singularities in plane problems has been proposed. The element meets all the convergence requirements, viz. the rigid body mode, the constant strain condition and the interelement compatibility. It can be easily incorporated in any package based on the displacement formulation. Four examples from fracture mechanics are presented to demonstrate its performance. The examples involve mechanical or thermal loadings. The accuracy of results in all the examples is very good.     

Finite element analysis of thermal stresses for laminated composites in terms of a new C0-type Reddy's theory

This article proposed an accurate C⁰-type Reddy's theory including effects of the transverse normal thermal strain to study the thermal behaviors of laminated composite plates. Although transverse normal thermal strain was taken into account, displacement variables are not increased as thermal loads can be included in the generalized force vector. Based on the proposed model, an eight-node quadrilateral isoparametric element is presented, in which the interelement C⁰ continuity conditions are satisfied. Numerical results show that the proposed model can produce accurate responses of laminated composite plates under temperature loads.     

Variational principles for non‐conforming finite element methods

Variational principles with relaxed inter‐element continuity requirement for non‐conforming element methods in linear and non‐linear analyses are developed. Based on the principles, any non‐conforming element displacement can be used directly to derive the explicit expressions of non‐conforming displacement function, which can ensure the passage of the patch test C for the requirement of convergence Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Stress and velocity in 2D transient elastodynamic analysis by the boundary element method

This paper is mainly concerned with the development of integral equations to compute stress and velocity components in transient elastodynamic analysis by the boundary element method. All expressions required are presented explicitly. The boundary is discretized by linear isoparametric elements whereas linear and constant time interpolation are assumed, respectively, for the displacement and traction components. Time integration is carried out analytically and the resulting expressions are presented. An assessment of the accuracy of the results provided by the present formulation can be seen at the end of the article, where two examples are presented.     

On an isoparametric finite-element for composite laminates with finite rotations

For composite laminates consisting of an arbitrary number of orthotropic laminae first a finite-rotation theory is presented as basis of isoparametric finite-element formulations. The derivation is achieved by a Reissner-Mindlin type kinematic assumption which allows a constant shear deformation distribution across the thickness. The constitutive equations are presented in a general form such that orthotropic material behaviour with material axes varying arbitrarily across the thickness may easily be considered in numerical implementation, also when using curvilinear coordinates. Special attention is taken to predict the force distribution in the deformed shell structure. This theory is then transformed into a four-node isoparametric assumed-strain finite element. Unlike in the degeneration approach, interpolation polynomials are introduced directly for rotation variables determining the deformed position of the unit normal vector. The capability of the finite element developed to deal with strongly nonlinear situations is demonstrated by many examples. Also numerical results are presented permitting a systematical comparison of classical and isoparametric approaches concerning the numerical efficiency.     

Twenty-four–DOF four-node quadrilateral elements for gradient elasticity

Computational analysis of gradient elasticity often requires the trial solution to be C¹, yet constructing simple C¹ finite elements is not trivial. In this paper, three four-node 24-DOF quadrilateral elements for gradient elasticity analysis are devised by generalizing some of the advanced element formulations for thin-plate analysis. These include the discrete Kirchhoff method, a relaxed hybrid-stress method, and the hybrid-stress method with equilibrating internal force modes. The first two methods start with the derivation of a C⁰ displacement, which is quadratic complete in the Cartesian coordinates. In the first method, at the midside points are derived and interpolated together with those at the nodes. Strain is derived from the displacement interpolation yet the second-order displacement derivatives are derived from the displacement-gradient interpolation. In the second method, only the assumed constant double-stress modes are employed to enforce the continuity of the normal derivative of the displacement. In the third method, the equilibrating internal force modes require the C¹ displacement to be defined only along the element boundary and the domain interpolation can be avoided. Patch test involving linear stress and constant double stress as well as other tests are presented to validate the proposed elements.     

基于整体-局部位移假设的高阶理论及其三角形板单元

本文推导一种基于整体-局部位移假设的高阶理论, 该理论满足层间位移、应力连续条件, 满足上、下自由表面条件。建立基于此高阶理论的三节点三角形层合板单元。数值计算结果表明此高阶理论能很好地描述剪切变形效应, 该位移单元不仅能很好地计算整体位移参数, 而且能很好地计算横向剪切应力。      

Refined nine-parameter triangular thin plate bending element by using refined direct stiffness method

Based on a new generalized variational principle, a refined direct stiffness method (RDSM) which can be directly used to improve non-conforming elements is proposed. The formulation is similar to that of the direct stiffness method (DSM), but the constraint condition of interelement continuity is satisfied in an average sense and as a result convergence and high accuracy are insured. The well-known BCIZ nine-parameter triangular thin plate bending element is refined by the RDSM to yield a new nine-parameter thin plate bending element RT₉. Numerical examples are presented to show that the present model passes the patch test and possesses high accuracy.     

基于高阶剪切变形理论的复合材料层合板精化单元法

基于高阶剪切变形层合板理论(该理论满足层间位移、应力连续条件)建立了一种精化方法,由此建立了三角形精化板单元.该单元满足单元间C1类弱连续条件,其收敛性得到保证,且具有列式简单、计算效率和精度高的优点.      

Unsymmetric extensions of Wilson's incompatible four-node quadrilateral and eight-node hexahedral elements

The unsymmetric finite element is based on the virtual work principle with different sets of test and trial functions. In this article, the incompatible four-node quadrilateral element and eight-node hexahedral element originated by Wilson et al. are extended to their unsymmetric forms. The isoparametric shape functions together with Wilson's incompatible functions are chosen as the test functions, while internal nodes at the middle of element sides/edges are added to generate the trial functions with quadratic completeness in the Cartesian coordinate system. A local area/volume coordinate frame is established so that the trial shape functions can be explicitly obtained. The key idea which avoids the matrix inversion is that the trial nodal shape functions are constructed by standard quadratic triangular/tetrahedral elements and then transformed in consistent with the quadrilateral/hexahedral elements. Numerical examples show that the present elements keep the merits of both incompatible and unsymmetric elements, that is, high numerical accuracy, insensitivity to mesh distortion, free of trapezoidal and volumetric locking, and easy implementation.     

INTERELEMENT STRESS EVALUATION BY BOUNDARY ELEMENTS

The conventional boundary element method employs piecewise shape functions which lead to stress discontinuity at the interelement boundary. This paper derives formulae for boundary stress and boundary stress gradient based on boundary element solutions, and discusses error propagation in stress evaluation due to errors in the displacement boundary values. The nature of stress discontinuity is investigated. A simple post-processing scheme is presented using continuities of stress and stress gradient along a traction boundary as two extra conditions, so that a high-order shape function can be employed for the evaluation of stress and stress gradient on the interelement boundary. Four numerical examples are used to demonstrate the accuracy of the proposed post-processing scheme. The numerical results show that as compared with the conventional method, the post-processing method can significantly improve the stress and stress gradient on the traction boundaries, especially in the area of stress concentration.