Dual-mixed hp-version axisymmetric shell finite element using NURBS mid-surface interpolation

Abstract

A new, general hp-version axisymmetric finite element is derived for the boundary value problems of thin linearly elastic shells of revolution, applying a complementary strain energy-based three-field dual-mixed variational principle. For the interpolation of the mid-surface geometry, non-uniform rational B-splines—NURBS—is used. The independent field variables of the weak formulation are the a priori non-symmetric stress tensor, the displacement vector, and the infinitesimal skew-symmetric rotation tensor. The theoretical model of the shell formulation is based on a consistent dimensional reduction process and a systematic variable-number reduction procedure. The inverse of the unvaried three-dimensional constitutive equation is employed since neither the classical kinematical assumptions nor the stress hypotheses are built in the mathematical model; namely, both the through-the-thickness variation and the normal stress to the shell mid-surface are not excluded. The new hp axisymmetric shell finite element is tested by a representative model problem for extremely thin and moderately thick, singly and doubly curved shells of negative and positive Gaussian curvature. Following from the numerical experiments, the constructed hp-shell finite element gives locking-free results not only for the displacement but also for the stresses.