Abstract
This chapter discusses the application of finite elements to two-dimensional membrane problems, application to plate bending problems, and cylindrical shell element. Generally, hybrid elements give better results as compared with more conventional elements when meshes are coarse, however, the convergence rates as meshes are improved is poorer. It is very important to find the optimum number of stress functions for any given type of element. The body forces and any distributed loads can be added at nodal points rather than at the element level. With conventional elements the solution accuracy usually improves quite sharply as the element becomes more complicated while the number of system unknowns is kept constant. The chapter discusses that better results can be obtained if one includes nongeometric or strain degrees of freedom at nodes. The application of nongeometric freedoms to straightforward structures is easy. However, when one is presented with complex situations, one finds that nongeometric freedoms present organizational difficulties. The great virtue of the finite element method is its ability to cope with these complicated engineering situations.
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