A GEOMETRICALLY NONLINEAR QUASI-CONFORMING 9-NODE QUADRILATERAL DEGENERATED SOLID SHELL ELEMENT

In this paper, a geometrically non-linear quasi-conforming nine-node quadrilateral degenerated solid shell element has been constructed from generalization of a linear quasi-conforming nine-node quadrilateral degenerated solid shell element,(10) based upon the non-linear quasi-conforming finite element method. First, the geometrical description and displacement model of the nine-node quadrilateral degenerated solid shell element is given. Then, the non-linear quasi-conforming finite element method is discussed and assumed strains and weighed functions are given. Last, analysis of numerical examples for a clamped square plate, a circular arch, a spherical shell, two cylindrical shells, the patch test and a simply supported square plate is carried out. The results are compared with exact and other finite element solutions. The results indicate that the shell element in the paper is accurate and efficient.