Symbolic computation of stiffness matrices for quadratic triangular elements

Abstract

Conditions under which it is possible to determine exact integrals for stiffness matrix entries for a 6-noded isoparametric plane strain element have been investigated. Considerable use has been made of the algebraic manipulation language MAPLE in obtaining the results. It has been shown that exact integration can be performed when the Jacobian becomes a degenerate quadratic and in some other cases. A precise algebraic condition has been found for the degenerate case and related to the geometry of the element. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.