A triangular thin-shell finite element based on discrete Kirchhoff theory (Q1064167)

A three-node, curved thin-shell triangular element with simple nodal connections is developed. The displacement and rotation components are independently interpolated by complete cubic and quadratic polynomials, respectively. The Kirchhoff hypothesis is enforced at a discrete number of points in the element. The rigid-body displacement condition is satisfied by isoparametric interpolation of the shell geometry within the element. A detailed numerical evaluation through a number of standard problems is performed.