The four-node \(C^ 0\) Mindlin plate bending element reformulated. I: Formulation. II: Verification (Q1309651)

A modified formulation is proposed with all locking mechanisms being rejected, while allowing for the internal moment redistribution mechanism to be retained. The paper deals with the implementation of the modified formulation in the case of the four-node Mindlin plate bending element and the analysis of its behaviour with respect to the moment redistribution mechanism. The performance of the reformulated four-node \(C^ 0\) plate bending element, tested numerically with classical plate bending problems, is found to be excellent in (a) completely removing all shear locking problems developing with the classical formulation under full integration, (b) avoiding the zero energy modes usually developing with the classical formulation under reduced integration schemes, (c) allowing for the potential activation of the internal moment redistribution mechanism, as needed.