A Mindlin element for thick and deep shells (Q1059438)

A strain-displacement relation of the Reissner-Mindlin type is derived for a general shell element which may be used with equal confidence and ease in either plate or shell configurations over a wide range of thicknesses. The usual assumptions pertaining to thin, shallow shell geometry have not been employed, resulting in strain-displacement relations which are consistent with the Reissner-Mindlin hypotheses for thick shell configurations. Test results show that this element has excellent accuracy and convergence characteristics and is free of shear locking.