Abstract:
A penalized stress condition for multi-variable finite elements is applied to develop a simple four-node
Reissner-Mindlin plate element. Introducing a penalty factor in the modified Hellinger-Reissner energy
functional and adopting the bilinear transverse and rotation displacement interpolations as well as a
assumed linear stress field, the paper formulates a simple 15-/3 hybrid stress element. The elimination of
stress parameters is made on the element level. Numerical studies demonstrate that the presented
element is of high accuracy, not sensitive to mesh distortion and free of shear locking in the limit of thin
plate and therefore the present element can apply to thin and moderately thick plates.
