A cross‐reduced integration technique for a bilinear shell element without zero‐energy modes

Abstract

AbstractA reduced integration technique employed in a bilinear shell element is described. While the reduced integration technique solves the problem of ‘locking’ and improves the computational efficiency, it does not introduce any zero‐energy mode in the shell element. The shell element is based on the concept of laminas and fibres. The reduced integration is such that integration points are chosen both along the central fibre and on the reference lamina. Shear strains on the reference lamina are averaged to solve the locking problem and eliminate possible zero‐energy modes.