On the resolution of transverse stresses in solid-shells with a multi-layer formulation

Abstract

A locking free solid-shell element, based on a surface orientated shell formulation, is used for a single-layer approach as well as for a multi-layer analysis. Locking is removed by a combination of the assumed strain and enhanced assumed strain methods. The suggested incompatible strain field enables the element to pass the patchtest for plates with a minimum of enhancement parameters. It is tested at various benchmark examples for the resolution of the transverse shear and normal stresses in thin-walled structures. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.