A Quadrilateral Flat Shell Element with Rotational Degrees of Freedom

Abstract:

Based on Kirchhoff assumptions and generalized conforming theory,a new 4node and 24degree quadrilateral flat shell element is presented with vertical rotational freedoms of degree,and mutually independent translation displacements and rotational displacements.Furthermore,the tangent stiffness matrix is constructed for the element on the basis of the Update Lagrange formulation.The numerical examples show that the present element performs well for linear and nonlinear bending,which resulting in easy transition between beam element and shell element.

Key words:flat shell element; rotational degrees of freedom;generalized conforming; geometrical nonlinear