Reduced representations of assumed fields for Hu-Washizu solid-shell element (Q6101622)

Mixed eight-node (hexahedron) solid-shell finite elements based on the standard or partial version of the Hu-Washizu (HW) functional are developed. Three reduced representations of stress/strain fields are used. The element improves effectiveness of algorithms, yet retaining good accuracy and convergence properties. The efficiency of the proposed solid-shell HW elements is demonstrated on several linear and non-linear examples for the linear elastic materials and hyper-elastic materials. The proposed finite elements are compared to each other and to known finite elements.