Thesis On Shear Locking in FEM

Universitt Stuttgart
Baustatik und Baudynamik
Master Thesis
Design of continuum
elements for efficient shell
analysis
submitted by
Mohammad Tanvir Rahman
in
October 2010
Institut fr Baustatik und Baudynamik

Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Manfred Bischoff
Baustatik und Baudynamik
Institut fr Baustatik
und Baudynamik
Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. M. Bischoff
Master Thesis
Design of continuum elements for efficient shell analysis
In the last years more and more carbon fiber-reinforced polymers (CRP) are used in
lightweight engineering (mainly aerospace and automotive applications). The advantages of
these materials are their small weight combining extremely high mechanical stiffness and
flexibility in molding. Up to now only small parts of larger structures (e.g. aircrafts) are manufactured by these materials but in the future whole structural components like aircraft fuselages should consist of CRP.
This poses a big challenge to numerical simulation tools like the Finite Element Method
(FEM). For the design of carbon fiber-reinforced polymers, which can be considered as
layered shells, an accurate interlaminar stress prediction is essential. Since classical shell
elements can only provide a rough estimate of these stresses, often standard continuum
elements are used and each layer is for example discretized by one element. As the known
continuum elements are suffering from various defects with respect to element technology
(locking) extremely fine discretizations have to be used. Using this approach increasing problem sizes (whole aircraft fuselages) will soon exceed the available computational resources.
One possible strategy to overcome this problem is to improve continuum elements towards
thin limit efficiency.
In particular, the following steps have to be performed:
Implementing an 8-node brick element into the research code CCARAT.
Implementation of the enhanced assumed strain method (EAS) for the element implemented before. All 21 parameters, which are needed to make a 3D element locking free,
have to be considered.
In-depth study of the influence of each parameter for the thin limit.
Performing numerical experiments to compare the developed element with elements

available in commercial codes like Abaqus or Ansys.
Introduction of higher order EAS-shape functions to realize shear correction in continuum elements and to improve over the thickness stress accuracy.
Supervisor:
Johannes Irslinger
Student:
Mohammad Tanvir Rahman
I, Mohammad Tanvir Rahman, declare that this thesis is written and the work presented
in it are carried out independently and no other sources have been used other than the
stated references.
Abstract
The demand of simulating composite structure is increasing due to its more and more
application in engineering. The classical shell elements used for this kind of analysis
provide a rough estimation of interlaminar stresses which can be improved if continuum elements are employed. Of course, the locking problems in continuum elements,
especially in thin limit should be solved aforehand. Another aspect is, till now, simulating the whole composite structures like aircraft fuselage using continuum elements is
challenging due to limitation of computational resources. The goal of this work is to
investigate the coarse mesh performance of locking free efficient continuum elements in
thin limit and improve shear stress accuracy through the thickness.
A 8-noded 3D brick element with EAS enhancement is implemented in research code
CCARAT and later extended with higher order EAS shape functions to improve the
transverse shear stresses. The element performance was compared to the commercial
code through numerical examples. In addition to this, the influence of EAS parameters
and the effect of mesh distortion was studied.
ii
Preface
At first I would like to express my utmost gratitude to my supervisors Prof. Dr.-Ing.

habil. Manfred Bischoff, and Dipl.-Ing. Johannes Irslinger for their cordial support and
guidance throughout the thesis work. Special thanks to Dr.-Ing. Malte von Scheven,
Dipl.-Ing. Tanja Pohl, Anton Tkachuk M.Sc. and all other institute members for their
support and for creating such a nice working environment in the institute. I am also
grateful to Max H
ubner and Martina Matzen for their immense support and suggestion
during the whole work.
I would also like to express my gratitude to family members and my wife, without their
support I could not come in this stage.
Lastly I would like to thank Dipl.-Phy. Karlheinz Bay of FHG-IBP for supporting me
by employment throughout my study.
iii
Contents
Declaration of Authorship
Abstract
ii
Preface
iii
Contents
iv
List of Figures
vi
List of Tables
viii
1 Introduction
1.1 Motivation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.2 Scope and objective . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.3 Outline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1
1
2
2
2 Finite Element Formulation

2.1 Basics of finite element method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.2 Three-dimensional continuum element formulation . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3
3
7
3 Locking
3.1 Definition of locking . .
3.2 In-plane shear locking .
3.3 Volumetric locking . . .
3.4 Transverse shear locking
3.5 Trapezoidal locking . . .
3.6 Remedies . . . . . . . .
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11
11
12
12
13
14
14
4 The EAS formulation

16
4.1 EAS formulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
4.2 Improving transverse shear stress distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
5 Implementation
24
5.1 The element main function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
5.2 Computation of Stiffness matrix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
5.3 Stress and nodal force computation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
iv
Contents
6 Element tests
28
6.1 Single element test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
6.2 The patch test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
7 Numerical examples
7.1 Plate test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.2 Pinched ring test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.3 Tube in cantilever loading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
36
36
48
52
8 Conclusion
58
8.1 Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
8.2 Future work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Reference
60
List of Figures
2.1
The eight-noded brick element and the shape functions . . . . . . . . . . .
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
In-plane shear locking .

Volumetric locking . . .
Transverse shear locking
4.1
4.2
4.3
The transverse shear stress distribution in beam theory . . . . . . . . . . 19

Constant transverse shear stress in continuum element . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Modelling beam with multiple layer of solid element . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
5.1
5.2
5.3
The flow chart for the element main function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

The flow chart for element stiffness matrix computation . . . . . . . . . . 26
The flow chart for element stress and nodal force computation . . . . . . . 27
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6.1
6.2
6.3
6.4
6.5
6.6
6.7
6.8
6.9
6.10
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Rigid body translation modes resulting from constant displacements . .

Constant streching modes from displacements linear in spatial directions
Constant shear modes from displacements linear in spatial directions . .
Uniform bending modes from bilinear displacement functions . . . . . .
Torsional modes from bilinear displacement functions . . . . . . . . . . .
Double bending modes from trilinear displacement functions . . . . . . .
Overcoming locking in continuum element by EAS method . . . . . . .
xz in mode c6 (a) and c15 (b) in EAS29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
xz in mode c18 (a) and c24 (b) in EAS33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Meshes used in patch test: single layered with (a) regular, (b) rotated
and (c) distorted element and multiple layered with (d) regular element
and with (e) element distorted in all directions . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6.11 The result of patch test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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7.1
7.2
7.3
7.4
7.5
7.6
7.7
7.8
7.9
7.10
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The Plate problem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Meshes used in plate problem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The displacement results for hinged plate test with = 0.0 . . .
The displacement results for hinged plate test with = 0.3 . . .
The displacement results for clamped plate test with = 0.0 . .
The displacement results for clamped plate test with = 0.3 . .
The influence of EAS parameters for the hinged plate problem .
The influence of EAS parameters for the clamped plate problem
Comparison of xz values for EAS29 and EAS33 . . . . . . . . .
Mesh distortion sensitivity of EAS elements at thin limit . . . . .
vi
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7
12
13
13
14
28
29
29
30
30
31
32
32
33
. 34
. 35
37
37
38
38
39
39
42
42
44
44
List of Figures
7.11
7.12
7.13
7.14
7.15
7.16
7.17
7.18
7.19
Parasitic stresses in EAS elements for trapezoidal shaped elements . . .

Comparison of normal stresses for regular and trapezoidal shaped mesh
Problem set up of the pinched ring problem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The displacement results for the pinched ring test with = 0.0 . . . . .
The displacement results for the pinched ring test with = 0.3 . . . . .
The problem setup for the tube problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The displacement results for the tube problem . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The displacement results for the stiffened tube problem . . . . . . . . .
The influence of EAS parameters for the tube problems . . . . . . . . .
vii
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45
46
48
49
49
52
53
54
56
List of Tables
3.1
Remedies of locking problem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
6.1
The modes, parasitic stresses and associated EAS parameters . . . . . . . 31
7.1
7.2
7.3
7.4
7.5
7.6
7.7
7.8
Deviation from the reference result for the hinged plate problem . . . . .
Deviation from the reference result for the clamped plate problem . . . .
Effect of mesh distortion for the hinged plate problem . . . . . . . . . . .
Effect of mesh distortion for the clamped plate problem . . . . . . . . . .
Deviation from the reference result for the pinched ring problem . . . . .
Effect of mesh distortion for the pinched ring problem . . . . . . . . . . .
Deviation from the reference result for the cantilever tube problem . . . .
Deviation from the reference result for the stiffened cantilever tube problem
viii
40
40
41
41
50
50
55
55
Chapter 1
Introduction
This thesis work is done in Institute of Structural Mechanics, University of Stuttgart
under supervision of Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Manfred Bischoff as a part of curriculum of
the international masters course Computational mechanics of materials and structures
- COMMAS.
1.1
Motivation
The composite materials are used extensively now-a-days for its low weight and high
strength. That is why simulating the composite structures is now an important aspect
of research in computational mechanics. For long time, the shell elements have been
used for simulating structures because of their low computational expense and better
locking behaviour. Thus it is obvious that it will be preferred in this case also.
The current practise of composite simulation is to homogenise the layers through the
thickness to have the material parameters needed in the analysis. After solutions the
strains and the stresses are distributed back to the layers. Thus simulating composites
using shell elements cannot actually provide us the accurate interlaminar stresses. The
transverse shear stresses are not so exact on the layer level. These stresses might be
important for predicting composite damages.
On approach would be to employ continuum elements to model the composite layers.
The first difficulty that come across is the locking phenomena in the continuum elements.
Moreover, in thin limits it becomes severe. Thus before employing the continuum element in such case, we need make it locking free aforehand.
Among different methods of avoiding locking, the Enhanced Assumed Strain method
is notable one. A part from the eliminating several locking problem, it provides us
1
Chapter 1. Introduction
nice stress results. Moreover this method is suitable for implementation of complex
constitutive models like plasticity, damage, etc. In this way, the motivation to employ
the EAS elements to model composite structures is found. Before that, it is necessary
to investigate the performance of EAS elements in thin limit.
1.2
Scope and objective
The first objective of this thesis was to implement a 3D continuum element in the institutes research code CCARAT. Then it was extended with EAS method. Element
level tests are performed and the element performance is compared with available comparable commercial elements by some numerical examples. An additional investigation
was carried out to find out the influence of EAS parameters in the example case. The
consequence of mesh distortion was part of the investigation.
The next step is to implement higher order EAS shape functions to have a better stress
distribution across the thickness. Both quadratic and cubic shape functions are considered. The previous examples are evaluated using these later versions to have a comparative idea about their performance.
1.3
Outline
The chapters 2, 3 and 4 focused the theoretical basics of this element development. The
implementation procedure is discussed in chapter 5. The various tests were performed
are covered in chapter 6 and 7. Chapter 8 summarizes the whole work in brief.
Chapter 2
Finite Element Formulation

Numerical simulation is an important tool for structural analysis. Alike most physical
phenomena, the problems in structural mechanics can be represented using a system of
partial differential equations, which at the end, can be solved by numerical methods.
The finite element method is already established as an standard numerical approach for
this type of problem. With the advancement of computing technology, this method is
now-a-days a commonplace from scientific research to industrial application assisting or
in some cases substituting the analytical procedures, tables and charts. This technology
also allows us to analyse complicated geometries as well as to simulate complicated load
cases which are impossible to create in experiments.
2.1
Basics of finite element method
Most finite elements are based on displacement formulation (others can be force or mixed
formulation) where the nodal degrees of freedom are considered as primary variable and
thus approximated. All the other quantities like strains and stresses are computed
using kinematic and material laws applying on displacement. A good starting point to
understand the finite element formulation can be the Principle of Virtual Work (PVW).
According to PVW, a system in equilibrium the sum of the work done by external and
internal forces in an arbitrary small virtual displacement is zero.
= int ext = 0
or
int = ext
(2.1)
For three-dimensional elasticity problem the PVW have the form

Z
T d =
uT bd +
uT td
(2.2)
Chapter 2. Finite Element Formulation
T d is the strain energy due to arbitrary displacement u which is the

R
R
internal energy of the system. uT bd and uT td are the work done by the
Here
body force b in domain and by applied traction t in boundary respectively.
Let us define the quantities before proceeding further. The strain tensor is obtained
form displacement vector u applying kinematic relation
ux
=Lu
with displacement vector, u =

u
y
uz
0
differential operator, L =

y

z
0
(2.3)
and strain tensor (in Voigt-notation), =
2xy
2xz
2yz
The stress tensor (also in Voigt-notation), =
can be obtained applying material law
=C
2xy
2xz
2yz
(2.4)
where C is the material matrix that reads for three-dimensional isotropic linear elasticity
C=
(1 + )(1 2)
12
2
12
2
12
2
(2.5)
Now, introduction of (2.3) and (2.4) in (2.2) yields

Z
(uT LT ) C (L u)d =
uT bd +
uT td
(2.6)
Now let us introduce the finite elements to approximate the solution of the problem. We
divide the domain into nE subdomains of finite size -the finite elements. The right
hand side of (2.6) looks like
Z
(u L ) C (L u)d =
nE Z
X
e=1 e
(uT LT ) C (L.u)de
(2.7)
Now the displacement field u is approximated as a sum of trial functions that are
expressed as product of so-called shape functions Ni and nodal parameters di . For an
element with n-nodes the approximation looks like
N1 0
0 N2 0
0 . . . Nn 0
u uh = N d =
0 N2 0 . . . 0 Nn
0 N1 0
0
0 N1 0
0 N2 . . . 0
0
Nn
u1x
u1y
u1z
u2x
2
uy
(2.8)
2
uz
..
.
unx
uny
n
uz
The strain should also be approximated to h as the displacement u is approximated

to uh . Thus the kinematic equation becomes
h = L uh = L N d
(2.9)
The product L N is known as the strain displacement matrix B that relates the
displacements to the strain.
B =LN
(2.10)
The virtual displacements and the strains are approximated with the shape functions
that results in
u uh = N d
h = B d
and
(2.11)
Thus (2.6) for any arbitrary element reads

Z
dT B T C B dd =
dT N T bd +
dT N T td
(2.12)
the strain displacement matrix B and the shape function matrix N contain functions
that depend on the spatial coordinates. The material matrix C and the prescribed loads
t and b may also depend on the spatial coordinates. The vectors d and d contain nodal
parameters for the displacements and thus allows us to take it out of the integral. The
virtual work principle has to hold for arbitrary from, i.e. it should satisfy (2.12) for any
arbitrary displacement d, which leads us to a system of linear, algebraic equations
Z
B C Bd d =
Considering k =
in brief
N bd +
R
N T bd + N T td, (2.13) can be written
B T C Bd and f =
N T td
(2.13)
kd=f
which is the well-known master equation of finite element method.
(2.14)
2.2
Three-dimensional continuum element formulation
Alike most of the finite elements, the eight-noded three-dimensional solid element is
based on isoparametric concept where the geometry and the displacements are approximated
by same shape functions. Any position vector of a point within the element,
x

x= y
is approximated as the sum of the product of the nodal (global) coordinates
z
with their corresponding shape functions, i.e.,
N1 0
0 N2 0
0

y = x xh = 0 N1 0
0 N2 0

z
0
0 N1 0
0 N2
x
N8
N8
N8
x1
y1
z1
x2
y2
z2
..
.
x8
y8
z8
(2.15)
A local coordinates system within the element (, , ) is defined with the property
, , = [1, 1] instead of the global (x, y, z). The shape functions are defined in terms
of this local coordinate.
NK = f (, , )
The shape functions are
1
7
N1 = 81 (1 )(1 )(1 + )
3
N3 = 81 (1 + )(1 )(1 + )
N4 = 18 (1 + )(1 )(1 )
N5 = 81 (1 + )(1 + )(1 + )
N2 = 18 (1 )(1 )(1 )
N6 = 81 (1 + )(1 + )(1 )
N7 = 81 (1 )(1 + )(1 + )
N8 = 81 (1 )(1 + )(1 )
Figure 2.1: The eight-noded brick element and the shape functions
(2.16)
The relation between the global to local coordinates are expressed using the Jacobian
where
J =
P8
K=1 NK,
The inverse relation is
xK ,
P8
K=1 NK,
J 1 =
(2.17)
xK , x
=
P8
K=1 NK,
xK and so on.
(2.18)
For transformation of any infinitesimal volume element, the relation reads

d = dx dydz = |J |ddd
(2.19)
And any integral over the domain can be transformed to

Z
( )d =
Z1 Z1 Z1
111
( )|J |ddd
(2.20)
Now recalling the relation for computation of the stiffness matrix and changing the
integral to local coordinate
k=
B C Bd =
Z1 Z1 Z1
111
B T C B|J |ddd
(2.21)
Here the C matrix is same as (2.5). But the strain displacement matrix B is formulated
differently so that the element can be extended for non-linear analysis. The straindisplacement relation for non-linear analysis reads
= Bd
The strain is defined as
and thus
x
,
i
(2.22)
1
= (gi gj Gi Gj )
2
with
gi =
B=
Gi =
X
,
i
(2.23)
x = X + u and =
y
z
(2.24)
here x is the position vector of a point in current configuration, X is the position vector
of that point in the reference configuration and u is the displacement of that point due
to deformation. Now
X + u
u
x
=
= Gi +
i
i
i
P
and recalling (2.8), where u is approximated as 8K=1 N K uK . Thus
P8
K
K=1 N K,i u which leads us to
(2.25)
gi =
gi = Gi +
8
X
K=1
u
i
results in
N K,i uK
(2.26)
The strain-displacement relation thus reads

B=
gj
1 gi
= (
gj + gi
)
d
2 d
d
(2.27)
with
gi
=
gix
d
giy
d
giz
d
N1,i
N2,i
N1,i
N2,i
N1,i
N2,i
N8,i
N8,i
N8,i
(2.28)
which ultimately leads us to the non-linear strain displacement relation
xx
yy

zz
xy
xz

yz
NK,x g1x
NK,x g1y
NK,x g1z
NK,y g2x
NK,y g2y
NK,y g2z
NK,z g3x
NK,z g3y
NK,z g3z
=
NK,x g2x + NK,y g1x NK,x g2y + NK,y g1y NK,x g2z + NK,y g1z
NK,x g3x + NK,z g1x NK,x g3y + NK,z g1y NK,x g3z + NK,z g1z
NK,y g3x + NK,z g2x NK,y g3y + NK,z g2y NK,y g3z + NK,z g2z
uK
x
uK
y
uK
z
..
.
(2.29)
The term N1,x is computed using the following relation
N1 N1 N1
N1 1
N1 1
N1 1
N1
=
+
+
=
J
+
J
+
J
11
12
13
x
x x x
(2.30)
Back to calculating the stiffness matrix, what is left to integrate the analytical integration
numerically. We take the help of Gauss quadrature in this case. Recalling from (2.21)
k=
Z1 Z1 Z1
111
B T CB|J |ddd =
Z1 Z1 Z1
nGP nGP nGP
f (, , )ddd
111
XXX
i=1 j=1 k=1
f (i , j , k )i j k
(2.31)
The element stiffness matrix k is computed using (2.31).

After solving the system of equations, the displacement vector d is found. In the postprocessing step, we need to compute the element stresses and strains. Element strains
10
are computed from the nodal displacement vector d by multiplying with B matrix.
Stress vector is computed from the product of material matrix C and strain vector .
=Bd
(2.32)
=C
(2.33)
It is to be noted that the strains and thus the stresses are not always constant within
the element. Their values may vary linearly or bi-linearly. The strain is a function of
B and d and the components of B contains the derivatives of shape functions that are
functions of , and . So the B should be evaluated in particular points. Normally the
strains and so do the stresses are evaluated in the Gauss points. During visualization,
these values are interpolated (and also extrapolated) through out the element.
The nodal forces can be computed using the relation
f e = ke d
(2.34)
Another approach can be used utilizing the stresses that have already been computed.
k =
Z1 Z1 Z1
111
and
B T C B|J |ddd
(2.35)
=C =C Bd
Thus
e
f = k d =
Z1 Z1 Z1
111
B C B|J |ddd d =
Z1 Z1 Z1
111
B T C B de |J |ddd (2.36)
Replacing C B d = we find
e
f =
Z1 Z1 Z1
111
B T |J |ddd
(2.37)
Chapter 3
Locking
In finite element method the mathematical model is approximated and solved numerically. Thus it always deviates from the theoretical value. Although very fine discretization provides result very close to the theoretical one. From the user point of view it is
expected to have a sufficient accurate result investing reasonable amount of computation
effort. In some cases the finite element method, specially elements formulated on virtual
work principle, fails to be accurate and efficient at the same time, the reason of which
lies deep inside the element formulation. This type of phenomena is termed as Locking.
Locking is important in this context as the continuum element exhibits different types
of locking behaviour which is more pronounced for the thin elements.
3.1
Definition of locking
The word Locking is more or less self-explanatory. In context of structural mechanics,

locking is identified when the structure behaves too stiff, i.e. it seems to lock itself
against deformation. Due to locking, the displacements seems to be significantly less,
non-physical stresses appear, and the convergence to the analytical result becomes slow.
A definition of locking can be stated from [1] as
Locking means the phenomenon of a reduced rate of convergence for coarse meshes in
dependence of a critical parameter.
The critical parameter is problem specific and can be different physical quantity. Such
as, in the case of in-plane shear locking this parameter is the aspect ratio of the element
whereas in volumetric locking it is the bulk modulus of elasticity. Another aspect of
locking is, its effect almost vanishes if the mesh is finer than a certain limit, which may
not be in the range of available computing resource. The continuum elements suffers
11
Chapter 3. Locking
12
from a couple of locking effects which is going to be addressed in the following sections
only in the mechanical point of view.
3.2
In-plane shear locking
The shear locking can occur in 2D and 3D linear solid elements and also in shell elements.
This effect is significant when the element is under loading that corresponds to the inplane bending modes. As the linear elements can not model the curvature properly,
the imaginary lines within the element perpendicular to the loading can not remain
perpendicular to the except for the center of the element. Thus it seems that some
shear forces acting on the element which results in the shear stress that varies linearly
and changes its sign at the center of the element. The figure demonstrates the described
effect.
This shear stress is not physical and so do the strain energy. Thus a part of the total
xy
F
F
xx
y
x
Figure 3.1: In-plane shear locking
applied energy is used up here leaving less energy for the actual deformation. Thus the
displacements seem to be less and the element behaves stiffer.
3.3
Volumetric locking
Unlike other locking phenomena, the volumetric locking is caused by neither kinematic
nor geometric reasons. The critical parameter in this case is the Poissons raio, and
ultimately the bulk modulus of elasticity, . The bulk modulus of elasticity is defined
as =
E
36 .
Thus, as o.5, , which means the material behaves as if it is
incompressible. The next figure demonstrates the volumetric locking in a physical point
of view. In the undeformed element, the material and the element mid-plane coincide
on each other. But in the deformed element, the upper portion of the element tries to
contract due to Poissons effect and the lower portion of the element tries to expand.
This demands the shift of the mid-plane of the element. But as all the points inside
Chapter 3. Locking
13
F
F
F
Material
mid-plane
y
Element and the
material mid-plane
yy
F
Element
mid-plane
Figure 3.2: Volumetric locking
the element are linearly interpolated, the element mid-plane can not move and forced
to be in the original position. Thus there evolves a normal strain without any normal
force acting on the element. The upper part of the element experiences tensile and the
lower part of experiences compressive stress. This parasitic stress uses up a portion of
strain energy that leads to volumetric locking. When the 0.0 no volumetric locking
is observed.
3.4
The transverse shear locking can happen for the plate and shell elements with ReissnerMindlin kinematic where it is assumed that the straight lines which are perpendicular
to the mid-surface of the element before deformation, remain straight after deformation.
It is also observed for the solid elements when they are used for modelling thin plates or
beams. The solid linear elements can not represent bending mode under pure bending
without transverse shear stresses (though there is no particular transverse direction for
solid elements, the transverse direction of the beam/plate that is modelled is meant
here). Despite of presence of any shear force, the transverse shear stresses is considered
as parasitic.
xz
y
x
Figure 3.3: Transverse shear locking
Chapter 3. Locking
14
The critical parameter is in this case is slenderness of the element. The linear solid
elements shows better performance in terms of transverse shear locking when the mesh
is refined. Actually mesh refinement reduces the aspect ration of the element. For the
same mesh size the displacement value approaches zero as the thickness approaches to
zero (i.e. as the aspect ratio tends to infinity).
3.5
Trapezoidal locking
Trapezoidal locking takes place when the solid elements are used to model the curved
structures, for example a curved beam, under bending. Due to the geometry of the
model, the trapezoidal shaped elements appear for a regular mesh. The following figure
demonstrates such case. Due to the element geometry and the loading, the element
F
f
f
t
f
t
f
Figure 3.4: Transverse shear locking
deforms in such a way that the thickness (the thickness direction of the model to be
precise) of the element should reduce. This thickness change causes parasitic normal
stress along the thickness direction of the element. Physically we do not expect the
thickness of the curved beam should change. Thus this stress is non-physical and causes
locking. The critical parameter for trapezoidal locking is the slenderness of the element.
What is presented here upto now, the explanations are rather mechanically motivated.
The mathematical explanation of the locking problem is beyond the scope of this thesis.
One can find them in KOSCHNICK[5] as well as other literatures.
3.6
Remedies
The locking phenomena is known almost from the beginning of finite element method. A
bunch of approaches have been adopted to avoid locking. Each of them has advantages
and limitations. Most of the locking phenomena relate to the lower order elements. In the
higher order elements it is less pronounced. But still lower order elements are popular as
they are numerically inexpensive. This makes the researchers develop methods to avoid
locking for the lower order elements.
Chapter 3. Locking
15
The popular solutions available for avoiding locking are as follows:

Assumed Natural Strain (ANS) method
Discrete Stain Gap (DSG) method
Reduced Integration (RI)
Selective Reduced Integration (SRI)
Method of incompatible mode
Enhanced Assumed Strain (EAS) method
Hybrid Stress method
Higher order elements (p-elements)
Which method can be used to alleviate what type locking is presented here as summary
from DAOUD[7].
Type of locking
Remedy
ANS, DSG
RI, SRI, EAS,
p-elements
EAS, RI, SRI
Hybrid stress
p-elements
DSG, RI, SRI
p-elements
EAS, RI, SRI
Hybrid stress
p-elements
In-plane shear locking
Trapezoidal locking
Volumetric locking
Table 3.1: Remedies of locking problem
In this work, we will be focusing on the EAS method only. There are two reasons for
choosing EAS method for this work. The EAS elements provide better stresses compared
to most others. Another reason is that, with some additional effort, the continuum
elements can be extended with EAS feature.
Chapter 4
The EAS formulation

The Enhanced Assumed Strain method introduced by Simo and Refai is now-a-days
an established method for avoiding locking. The basic idea of EAS formulation is to
introduce the enhanced strain to counteract with the parasitic strains and thus get
rid of the parasitic stresses. EAS elements are successfully implemented for geometric
and materially non-linear cases. The constitutive models can be directly implemented
as they use the strain energy function directly. The elements perform well in bending
and as well as in incompressible cases still using the lower order elements. The EAS
elements have become one of most popular choices for 2D and 3D solids.
4.1
EAS formulation
The EAS formulation is based on the variational principle of Hu-Washizu.

HW (u, , ) =

uT LT uT p T ( L u) T ( C ) d
T
u Pd
)d = 0
T nT (u u
(4.1)
The strain field is splitted into compatible and enhanced fields and same for their variations
= u + = L u +
= u + = L u +
16
(4.2)
Chapter 4. The EAS formulation
17
An additional orthogonality condition is imposed between and which states that the
integral over the element of the scalar product of and should be zero.
Z
d = 0
and also
d =
T d = 0
(4.3)
The discretization in EAS method takes place in the displacement fields and in the
enhanced strain field. The discretiztion looks like
Here, M =
|J | 1
|J| T M
u uh = N d,
u uh = N d
h = M ,
h = M
(4.4)
with M is matrix containing the trial functions for the enhanced
strains in local coordinate.
M=
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
(4.5)
The transformation matrix T
J 211
J 221
J 231
2J 11 J 21
2J 11 J 31
2J 21 J 31
J 12 J 13
J 22 J 23
J 32 J 33
J 12 J 23 + J 22 J 13
J 12 J 33 + J 32 J 13
J 22 J 33 + J 32 J 23
2J 12 J 22
2J 12 J 32
2J 22 J 32
J 222
J 232
J 212
2
2
2
J 13
J 23
J 33
2J 13 J 23
2J 13 J 33
2J 23 J 33
J J
11 12 J 21 J 22 J 31 J 32 J 11 J 22 + J 21 J 12 J 11 J 32 + J 31 J 12 J 21 J 32 + J 31 J 22
J 11 J 13 J 21 J 23 J 31 J 33 J 11 J 23 + J 21 J 13 J 11 J 33 + J 31 J 13 J 21 J 33 + J 31 J 23
(4.6)
18
Introduction of the strain split, the enforcement of orthogonal condition and lastly the
discretization results (4.1) into
Z
Z

BT C B d d +
BT C M d
dT
e
Z
Z
Z
Z
T

T
M C B d d +
M C M d = dT NT pd +
+T
NT Pd
e
(4.7)
which can be abbreviated and written as system of equations, as (4.7) is satisfied for
any arbitrary d and
K :=
B C Bd,
Z
D := MT C Md,
"
K LT
L
L :=
R :=
# "
"
R
0
MT C Bd
T
N pd +
#
NT Pd
(4.8)
Eliminating the internal parameters by static condensation, and the element stiffness matrix keeas can be computed by
= D1 L d
(4.9)
keeas = K LT D1 L
(4.10)
The computation of stresses and the nodal forces is same as the continuum element
except for the computation of the strains. The internal parameter is computed by (4.9)
and the enhanced strain via (4.4) and added to the compatible strain.
4.2
19
Improving transverse shear stress distribution
The motivation for improving the transverse shear distribution in continuum elements
comes from the beam theory. For a beam with rectangular cross section, at any arbitrary
point y from the neutral axis, the transverse shear stress xy is given by
b
xy
at y
y
h
Shear stress distribution
Figure 4.1: The transverse shear stress distribution in beam theory
xy
12Vx
=
bh3
h2 y 2
8
2
(4.11)
If the linear four noded continuum elements are used to model the beam, they can represent bending using the shear mode where the transverse shear stress distribution is
constant over the thickness. Both of the above mentioned phenomena can be observed
xy
x
y
Figure 4.2: Constant transverse shear stress in continuum element
when a beam is modelled using multiple elements in the thickness direction. The following figure demonstrates a magnified view of the transverse shear stress in such case.
Figure 4.3: Modelling beam with multiple layer of solid element
20
The parabolic stress distribution through the thickness is apparent from the figure although on the element level only a constant value is available. Obtaining a physical and
accurate shear stress distribution may be essential in some cases especially for the analysis of composites when the whole laminate is modelled as a single element. Fortunately,
the EAS method provides us the facility to tune the strains using the trial functions.
This could be a way to replace the constant shear stress distribution by a parabolic one.
The procedure to find out the associated trial function is described as follows.
For simplicity, a 2D four noded quadrilateral element is considered. A new strain parameter is introduced along with a trial function in the M matrix. As we are trying to
influence only the , the trial function that we are looking for should be in the third
row of the matrix.
= 0
0 0 1
2
0 0
3

4
= 0
0 0
0 0
X
1
2
3
4
5
The amount of strain, the shaded area should be the same. More over we need to
multiply a shear correction factor of
X = +
5
6
to have the same strain energy. So
5 3
(1 2 ) =
(1 5 2 )
6 2
4
(4.12)
Thus we find the trial function X = 1 5 2 . The new M looks like
0 0
M=
0 0
0 0 15
(4.13)
A further attempt to improve the shear distribution accuracy would be to consider the
shear stress developed due to thickness change. The associated mode is shown in the
next figure.
From Kintematics
From linear EAS

trial function
From cubic EAS

trial function
21
The shear strain developed in this mode is linear to the thickness direction. Thus at
the topmost and at the lower most point of the element it has the maximum values,
which is non-physical. This strain is thus considered as parasitic and we avoid it by
employing a trial function (in this case, it is at the third row of the M matrix) for
the shear stress. But in a physical point of view, there should be some shear stress
developed. One attempt to take it into account would be to have a cubic distribution
over the thickness where the shear stress equals to zero at the two extreme points and
somewhere in between as the shear stress value needs to switch its sign.
To implement the idea, we have to replace the associated trial function with a new one.
The computation is done by similar procedure as before. In this case the shear correction
factor equals to
7
10 .
X = 1 +
1
7 5
1 ( 3 ) =
(3 7 3 )
10 2
4
(4.14)
The M now takes the shape
0 0
M=
0 0
0 0 1 5 2 3 7 3
(4.15)
It is to be noted that the computation of shear correction factors for these two cases are
not presented here. The values are taken directly from BISCHOFF[4] where they are
computed balancing the strain energies.
To implement the same idea for three dimensional setup, we consider z -direction as thickness direction, although continuum elements do not have a particular one. The attempt
would be to improve xz and yz stress using similar functions like two-dimensional case.
For the deformation modes1 like c6
and c9
we would expect xz
and yz distribution to be constant through the element. But for mode c15
the strain distribution will vary linearly inside the element. We need functions that
are quadratic in the thickness direction and linear in other one. Thus we multiply the
quadratic one with a linear function so that it can represent such strain. At the end to
represent the quadratic shear stress distribution through the thickness direction, we end
up with eight new trial functions (one for constant distribution 1 52 , with two linear
1
All the eigen-modes for this element are discussed in chapter 6
22
(1 52 ), (1 52 ) and a bilinear (1 52 )term multiplied with it for each of the

transverse shear stresses) in addition to the former twenty one. Now with a total of 29
EAS parameters, the element EAS29 has the following M matrix.
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1 5 2
(1 5 2 )
(1 5 2 )
(1 5 2 )
5 2
(1
5 2 )
(1
5 2 )
(1 5 2 )
(4.16)
Alike the quadratic trial functions, eight more functions need to be added to the M
matrix. But four of existing functions are replaced by the cubic ones which limits the
number
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
of functions to 33. The EAS33 has the following trial functions

0 0 0
0 0 0 0
0 0 0
0 0 0
0 0 0 3
0 0 0 0
7 3
3 7 3
0
(3
0
7 3 )
(3 7 3 )
5 2
0
1 5 2
(1
0
5 2 )
0
(1 5 2 )
23
0
(1
5 2 )
0
(1 5 2 )
(1
0
5 2 )
0
(1 5 2 )
(3
0
7 3 )
0
(3 7 3 )
0
(3
0
0
7 3 )
0
(3 7 3 )
(4.17)
Chapter 5
Implementation
In this chapter the procedure of the implementation will be addressed. All the code
were implemented in the institutes research code CCARAT using Eclipse IDE in C
programming language. The scope of the work was limited to the element level. No
major modification was done in other parts of CCARAT. The developed element is
referred as brick2 and all the related codes can be found in folder of the same name.
All the functions developed for the element start with b2 prefix and can be found in the
.c file corresponding to their names. All the function prototypes are defined in brick2.h
and brick2 prototypes.h. Comments are used thoroughly and some pre-developed error
tracing utility functions are used for ease of debugging. Additional comments were used
describing functionality and input/output arguments for documentation.
5.1
The element main function
In FEM code, the element functions are called via element main function. In this case it
is the brick2() function. All the related information needed to perform on the element
level is supplied via its argument from the control layer of the total program.Depending
on the argument action it calls mainly three major routines.
The first one init() initializes and allocates memory for the variable used in the element
level. The other two functions that are called are b2static ke() computes the stiffness
matrix and b2static linstr() computes the stresses and nodal forces in post-processing
stage when the nodal displacements are already available. To limit the size of coded
functions to a reasonable size and to reuse code as much as possible, a good number
of functions are called from these two functions. The working principle of these two
functions will be discussed briefly in the following subsections. The data flow in the
brick2() is as follows:
24
Chapter 5. Implementation
25
Figure 5.1: The flow chart for the element main function
5.2
Computation of Stiffness matrix
The function b2static ke()calculates the element stiffness matrix. The main step to
calculate the element stiffness matrix is to compute the matrix product B T C B
and integrate it over the element domain numerically. Here the material matrix C is
constant for a material in this case. But the B matrix contains functions of , and
coordinates. Thus the B should be evaluated on a particular point, in this case this
would be the Gauss points. Three loops are employed to loop over the Gauss points for
three coordinate directions. The computation of B is placed inside the inner most loop.
To compute B we need to evaluate the derivatives of shape functions, the jacobian,
the inverse jacobian and the covariant basis vectors (cf. 2.29) of the point. Once B is
computed, B T C B is evaluated and multiplied by the Gauss integration weights and
the determinant of J and added to the element stiffness matrix to finish the integration.
26
If EAS method is activated in the input file, addition to the above mentioned procedures,
the M matrix is evaluated and the L and D matrices were computed by integrating inside
loop. The element stiffness matrix keeas is computed after the loop. The following flow
chart demonstrates the procedure of the computation.
Figure 5.2: The flow chart for element stiffness matrix computation
5.3
Stress and nodal force computation
For computing the stresses we again need to loop on the Gauss points to evaluate
stresses. At first the strains are computed from the basis vectors in current and reference
configuration and then it is linearised. If EAS method is activated, the enhanced strains
are computed. For this the M matrix is computed inside the loop. The other matrices
L, D and the vector is computed aforehand. The stresses are calculated by matrix
multiplication between the material and the strain matrix. For computing the nodal
27
force, the B matrix is computed and multiplied with the stress matrix. These procedures
are summerized into the following flowchart.
Figure 5.3: The flow chart for element stress and nodal force computation
Chapter 6
Element tests
A number of tests have been conducted on the different stages of the development, i.e.
the pure displacement based brick element, the EAS21, EAS29 and EAS33. At first,
a single element is tested for 24 independent deformation modes, the eigenmodes. The
stresses were cross-checked for the conformity with the underlying theory. These tests
are followed by patch tests with regular and distorted meshes with single and multiple
element layers.
6.1
Single element test
Test setup
The single element test was performed at first. A cube with dimension 222 consisting
one element was subjected to displacement boundary condition. After the solution, the
stresses were cross-checked against that of the underlying theory. For the displacements
in each spatial direction, i.e., u, v and w prescribed displacements are constant, linear,
bilinear, and trilinear functions in x, y and z direction. For constant values of u, v and
w, we find the modes c1 , c2 and c3 which are actually rigid body translation.
(a) Mode: c1
(b) Mode: c2
(c) Mode: c3
Figure 6.1: Rigid body translation modes resulting from constant displacements
28
Chapter 6. Element tests
29
For displacements linear to the spatial coordinates, we end up with nine modes from c4 to
c12 with three constant stretching modes: c4 , c8 and c12 , where the applied displacement
is function of its own direction, i.e., when u = x.
(a) Mode: c4
(b) Mode: c8
(c) Mode: c12
Figure 6.2: Constant streching modes from displacements linear in spatial directions
All the other modes from linear displacements that are not along to their own direction
results into constant shear modes.
(a) Mode: c5
(d) Mode: c9
(b) Mode: c6
(e) Mode: c10
(c) Mode: c7
(f) Mode: c11
Figure 6.3: Constant shear modes from displacements linear in spatial directions
The modes representing bending and torsion develop when the applied displacements
are bilinear. When the displacement function includes its own direction, the uniform
bending modes are observed, such as u = xy or v = xy. The torsional mode appears
in the opposite cases like w = xy. In total six uniform bending modes are possible in a
three-dimensional setup.
30
The six uniform bending modes are as follows:
(a) Mode: c13
(b) Mode: c14
(d) Mode: c18
(e) Mode: c20
(c) Mode: c16
(f) Mode: c21
Figure 6.4: Uniform bending modes from bilinear displacement functions
The three torsional modes look like:
(a) Mode: c15
(b) Mode: c17
(c) Mode: c19
Figure 6.5: Torsional modes from bilinear displacement functions
Three double (antisymmetric) modes bending result if the displacements are trilinear
functions of the coordinate directions. The modes c22 , c23 and c24 are such type of
modes.
(a) Mode: c22
31
(b) Mode: c23
(c) Mode: c24
Figure 6.6: Double bending modes from trilinear displacement functions
At the end we end up with 24 deformation modes in a three-dimensional setup. The

developed element was subjected to these modes to investigate their stress behaviour.
A displacement of 0.1 unit was prescribed and material properties used were E = 1 and
= 0.2.
Before proceeding to the test results, it would be relevant to have a brief look at the
modes, their associated locking and the EAS parameters involved to avoid locking. The
following table presents such summery extracted from SCHRAMMEL[4].
Mode
c1 - c12
c13
c14
c15
c16
c17
c18
c19
c20
c21
c22
c23
c24
Parasitic stresses
none
yy , xy
xx , xy
none
zz ,xz
none
xx ,xz
none
zz ,yz
yy ,yz
yy ,zz ,xy ,xz
xx ,zz ,xy ,yz
xx ,yy ,xz ,yz
Associated EAS parameter

none
2,1
4,3
none
6,5
none
4,7
none
6,8
2,9
12,13,10,11
16,17,14,15
20,21,18,19
Table 6.1: The modes, parasitic stresses and associated EAS parameters
Result
For the stretching and shear modes, the brick element shows no locking behaviour until
the bending modes come into play. Both volumetric and shear locking are noticed in
bending modes like c16 . The parasitic stresses were found in subsequent modes.An
attempt to avoid the parasitic stresses was to implement the EAS method. With all 21
EAS parameters implemented, the same example c16 is found to have no zz and xz ;
the parasitic stresses for this mode. This is demonstrated in figure (6.7).
The next step was to improve the shear stresses in thickness direction. At first attempt
the quadratic EAS shape functions were implemented. Thus it is expected to have a
32
(a) Volumetric-locking in Brick
(c) Volumetric-locking free EAS21
(b) Shear-locking in Brick
(d) Shear-locking free EAS21
Figure 6.7: Overcoming locking in continuum element by EAS method
parabolic shear stress distribution in the modes like c6 and c9 . While with 21 parameters
the shear stress distribution in mode c6 results in a constant distribution, it improves to
a parabolic one in case of EAS29. xz values for mode c6 and c15 was found parabolic
to the thickness direction with no stresses at the top and bottom edges and linear in
y-direction.
(a)
(b)
Figure 6.8: xz in mode c6 (a) and c15 (b) in EAS29
Again we would like to cubic distribution of xz and yz for the modes like c18 , c21 and
c24 which forced to be zero in both EAS21 and EAS29 elements. With additional cubic
EAS shape function, EAS33 allows us to have a cubic distribution of shear stresses
33
in thickness direction for these modes. In the next figure shows the xz distribution
resulting from EAS33 element for mode c18 and c24 .
(a)
(b)
Figure 6.9: xz in mode c18 (a) and c24 (b) in EAS33
All the other modes that are not discussed here were also found in accord to their
corresponding formulation which verifies the correctness of implementation.
6.2
34
The patch test
The patch test is needed to be performed on a newly developed element to ensure its
convergence and to verify if the theory is correctly implemented. A conforming element
should pass the patch test for any arbitrary mesh.
Test setup
The linear elastic test is setup such that it should provide a constant stress distribution
in x -direction. At first a rectangular patch with regular mesh is considered. When the
element had passed the test with regular mesh it was tested with the center element
rotated and after that with distorted mesh. The last attempt was to check if the the
element passes the test when it suffers mesh distortion in all three directions. For that
two layers of elements were arranged and the two center elements were distorted in
all three directions. Passing all these patch tests verifies its accuracy and satisfies the
converging criteria. The test meshes are shown in the following figure.
(a)
(b)
(d)
(c)
(e)
Figure 6.10: Meshes used in patch test: single layered with (a) regular, (b) rotated
and (c) distorted element and multiple layered with (d) regular element and with (e)
element distorted in all directions
35
Result
All the elements, the brick, EAS21, EAS29 and EAS33 pass the patch test. The result
is demonstrated as follows. The uniform xx distribution is well visible throughout the
Figure 6.11: The result of patch test
patch. Hence the elements pass the test.
Chapter 7
Numerical examples
More complex tests are carried out to evaluate and compare the element performance
with commercially available ones. The results are compared with ABAQUS elements.
Fully integrated four noded shell element S4, eight noded continuum shell element with
reduced integration and hour glass control SC3DI and eight noded 3D stress element
with incompatible modes C3D8I element. The test examples were:
Plate in bending
Pinched ring test
Tube in cantilever loading
At the same time the influence of mesh distortion and also the of influence of the EAS
parameters on displacements was studied.
7.1
Plate test
Problem setup
In this example a square plate under uniform pressure is considered. The size of the plate
actual problem was 10m10m. Utilizing the symmetry of the problem, only quarter of
it was modelled. Different thicknesses of the plate like 1m, 0.1m, 0.01m and 0.001m
was used to investigate how the elements behave as the aspect ratio is going high. The
material parameter used was E=1GPa and = 0.0 and 0.3. Both hinged and clamped
boundary conditions were investigated and the magnitude of the pressure was varied
such that, for all thickness values, we end up to a comparable displacement. The figure
7.1 shows the problem setup.
The model was evaluated with the three ABAQUS element S4, SC3DI and C3D8R along
with EAS21, EAS29 and EAS33. At the beginning the regular mesh was used. Then
the mesh was intentionally distorted to understand the effect of mesh distortion. The
meshes used for the problem is shown in figure 7.2.
36
Chapter 7. Numerical examples
37
line of symmetry
Uniform pressure in negative z -direction

y
z
Boundary condition, clamped or hinged

x
Figure 7.1: The Plate problem
(a) Regular mesh
(b) Regularly distorted in 2D
(c) Randomly distorted

in 2D
(d) Regularly distorted in 3D
Figure 7.2: Meshes used in plate problem
38
Results
The results for the plate problem with hinged boundary condition are demonstrated for
different element, thickness and Poissons ratio.
0.6
Displacement (m)
0.5
Reference
S4
C3D8R
SC3DI
EAS21
EAS29
EAS33
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0
1.0
0.1
0.01
0.001
Thickness (m)
Figure 7.3: The displacement results for hinged plate test with = 0.0
0.6
Displacement (m)
0.5
Reference
S4
C3D8R
SC3DI
EAS21
EAS29
EAS33
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0
1.0
0.1
0.01
0.001
Thickness (m)
Figure 7.4: The displacement results for hinged plate test with = 0.3
39
Same procedure was followed for the clamped boundary condition. The results obtained
are also quite similar.
Displacement (m)
0.2
Reference
S4
C3D8R
SC3DI
EAS21
EAS29
EAS33
0.1
0
1.0
0.1
0.01
0.001
Thickness (m)
Figure 7.5: The displacement results for clamped plate test with = 0.0
Displacement (m)
0.2
Reference
S4
C3D8R
SC3DI
EAS21
EAS29
EAS33
0.1
0
1.0
0.1
0.01
0.001
Thickness (m)
Figure 7.6: The displacement results for clamped plate test with = 0.3
It can be noted that all the elements except C3D8R show similar results and even
coincide with reference one. As the thickness of the elements fall under certain thickness
between 0.01 and 0.001, the EAS elements deviates significantly from the other elements
as well as reference solution.
40
The analytical result for the displacement of the mid-point of the plate is dhinged =
0.487m when Poissons ratio, = 0.0 is considered. The analytical solution for the
displacement of the mid-point of the clamped plate is dclamped = 0.152m which is the
reference solution for = 0.0. For = 0.3 the result from shell element with fine
mesh considered as a reference solution for simplicity. The formula used to calculate the
relative error from the reference solution is
error =
dRef. delement
dRef.
100%
Thus the negative values indicates the displacements are more than the reference one.
The following table summarizes the deviation of displacement values from the reference
solution
Element
S4
C3D8I
SC3DR
EAS21
EAS29
EAS33
S4
C3D8I
SC3DR
EAS21
EAS29
EAS33
Thickness
= 0.0
= 0.3
1
-14.71%
-10.65%
-15.27%
-10.90%
-12.66%
-12.66%
1.06%
3.70%
0.64%
3.62%
2.20%
2.20%
0.1
0.00%
16.99%
-0.56%
-0.06%
-0.08%
-0.08%
0.91%
13.24%
0.40%
0.85%
0.82%
0.82%
0.01
0.29%
95.37%
-0.28%
0.08%
0.08%
0.08%
0.34%
93.53%
-0.18%
0.16%
0.16%
0.16%
0.001
0.29%
99.95%
-0.28%
95.10%
19.28%
18.66%
0.32%
99.93%
-0.08%
17.05%
15.12%
15.72%
Table 7.1: Deviation from the reference result for the hinged plate problem
Element
S4
C3D8I
SC3DI
EAS21
EAS29
EAS33
S4
C3D8I
SC3DI
EAS21
EAS29
EAS33
Thickness
= 0.0
= 0.3
1
-12.43%
-10.00%
-13.63%
-10.49%
-12.65%
-12.65%
0.52%
3.15%
-0.25%
2.99%
0.43%
0.43%
0.1
0.82%
28.61%
-0.25%
0.46%
0.44%
0.44%
0.73%
21.87%
-0.25%
0.43%
0.40%
0.40%
0.01
0.96%
97.52%
-0.11%
0.57%
0.57%
0.57%
0.73%
96.49%
-0.25%
0.39%
0.39%
0.39%
0.001
0.96%
99.97%
-0.12%
84.30%
44.49%
44.32%
0.73%
99.96%
-0.22%
41.25%
37.97%
38.30%
Table 7.2: Deviation from the reference result for the clamped plate problem
One point can be noted from these tables that the higher order EAS elements behave
softer than the one with twenty one parameters in thick limit. But in the thin limit they
perform almost the same.
41
The aberration due to distorted mesh is presented in the following tables. The results of
samples thinner than 0.1m are omitted as they either show a huge deviation or produce
non-physical results.
Mesh
Regularly
distorted
in 2D
Randomly
distorted
in 2D
Regularly
distorted
in 3D
Thickness
EAS21
EAS29
EAS33
EAS21
EAS29
EAS33
EAS21
EAS29
EAS33
=0.0
1
14.21%
10.12%
10.12%
8.83%
5.37%
5.37%
8.21%
9.99%
14.05%
0.1
91.69%
90.58%
90.58%
63.00%
80.13%
80.13%
99.89%
99.89%
99.89%
= 0.3
1
20.25%
17.16%
17.16%
24.71%
13.90%
13.90%
15.87%
17.74%
20.19%
0.1
89.24%
87.84%
87.84%
59.86%
78.35%
78.35%
99.89%
99.89%
99.89%
Table 7.3: Effect of mesh distortion for the hinged plate problem
Mesh
Regualarly
distorted
in 2D
Randomly
distorted
in 2D
Regualarly
distorted
in 3D
Thickness
EAS21
EAS29
EAS33
EAS21
EAS29
EAS33
EAS21
EAS29
EAS33
=0.0
1
8.54%
4.41%
4.41%
16.28%
11.36%
11.36%
8.21%
69.05%
70.41%
0.1
92.77%
91.51%
91.51%
89.91%
88.68%
88.68%
99.89%
99.90%
99.90%
= 0.3
1
15.39%
11.73%
11.73%
20.74%
16.14%
16.14%
10.82%
10.80%
13.28%
0.1
92.06%
88.46%
88.46%
87.32%
85.85%
85.85%
99.66%
99.66%
99.66%
Table 7.4: Effect of mesh distortion for the clamped plate problem
It is obvious that any type of mesh distortion causes significant deviation from the
result. The thinner the element the larger gets the error. A particular trapezoidal
shaped distortion is found to be more or at least similar error-prone to the randomly
distorted ones.
Another investigation was carried out to find the most influencing EAS parameter for this
particular problem. The following plots show the deviation of results as some particular
EAS parameters are omitted. Here six cases are presented for the three thickness values
where the solution is close to that of the other elements.
The cases are as follows:
case:1 With only first 9 parameters
case:2 With 15 parameters, all except 7th, 9th and 18-21st.
case:3 With 13 parameters, all from case 2 except 10th and 14th
42
The 7th, 9th and 18-21st parameters influence the bending modes that are responsible
for the thickness change. It was intuitive to select those and test for this particular
problem if they have a small influence as the problem is not dominated by this kind of
modes. The other pairs are chosen such that they influence similar stress values. For
example the 10th parameters is needed to avoid parasitic xy in mode c22 and the 14th
parameters does the same for the c23 mode.
100
90
80
deviation (%)
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0.01
0
1
0.1 thickness
3
case
1
5
Figure 7.7: The influence of EAS parameters for the hinged plate problem
100
90
80
deviation (%)
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0.01
0
1
0.1 thickness
3
case
1
5
Figure 7.8: The influence of EAS parameters for the clamped plate problem
43
From the figures, it is obvious that only nine parameters are enough for the thick elements. But as the element gets thinner the necessity and the influence of the later
parameters become more prominent. For this particular problem, it is obvious that the
case 4 corresponding to the 11th and the 14th parameter plays a big role.
Discussion
From the results what we found upto now a number of points can be noted. The
observation from the results are going to be addressed here.
Element performance at thin limit

The performance of the element drops suddenly somewhere in between thickness t =
0.01 to t = 0.001. This happens because the aspect ratio of the element is already as
high as 1000 for t = 0.001. The element suffers from ill conditioning and associated
numerical errors. For a higher aspect ratio like 2500, the displacement value found to
be more than that of one with 1000 but still with enough deviation from the reference
one. This fact also points towards the numerical errors and instability.
Performance comparison between the EAS versions

It can be easily noticed that EAS29 and EAS33, both behave a little bit softer than
EAS21. This is because of the fact that the quadratic distribution in EAS29 and EAS33
results in a little bit higher strain energy. For the same amount of strain, the strain
6 int
energy in a parabolic distribution int
par. = 5 const. . This effect can be explained using a
cantilever beam example where the total internal energy int is the same as the external
energy supplied, F t.
F
t
As for the EAS29 and EAS33, where the internal energy is slightly higher due to the
parabolic and cubic distribution of the stresses, for the same F , the displacement t
should be higher which is observed here in the result.
It is also clear that the EAS29 and EAS33 shows similar results. This is due to the
fact that, the modes corresponding to the additional shape functions of EAS33 do not
actually show up. More over from the study of the influence of EAS shape functions, the
functions corresponding the modes that are responsible for transverse thickness change
are of least influential. Which means those modes are almost absent in this example.
Thus it is not also logical to use more shape functions when they results in the same
displacement.
It can be argued to keep the the additional functions in EAS33 as they may improve
the stress quality. The following figure demonstrates that the improvement done by the
44
5 106 x3 + 1.9426 x2 9.713 x + 6.1663
1.947 x2 9.7349 x + 6.1802
Figure 7.9: Comparison of xz values for EAS29 and EAS33
cubic functions is actually very less. We see that the coefficient of x3 is very small. The
cubic shape functions improves the stress values little enough to be employed in this
example.
Effect of mesh distortion

It is already evident that the element is very sensitive to the mesh distortion. This
limitation of EAS elements are known for a while. One of the reasons is the use of T
instead of exact T which is needed to enforce the orthogonality condition for constant
stress and strain states. This is necessary to pass the patch test. But at the same time
it makes it more sensitive to the mesh distortion.
Another point can be noticed that, with the same distorted mesh, the element becomes
stiffer as the thickness decreases. It is due to the fact that, the thinner the plate, the
more its behaviour dominated by shear stress. But as the EAS method can not function
properly, the more dominated parasitic shear makes the structure behave stiffer. That
is why in this example, the thinner the samples with distorted meshes, the stiffer they
behave.
The following figure demonstrates the effect of the mesh distortion in EAS elements in
thin limit. Interestingly the finer mesh perform worse than the coarse mesh because of
(a)
total
225
d=0.052178m
elements,
(b)
total
144
d=0.1385230m
elements,
Figure 7.10: Mesh distortion sensitivity of EAS elements at thin limit
a few distorted element
45
Effect of mesh with trapezoidal shaped elements

So far we have observed the sinister effect of mesh distortion. Moreover for the second
mesh sample, we come to know that a certain trapezoidal shaped element gives even
worse result than very randomly distorted mesh. Some interesting facts are revealed from
a bit different investigation. This time only one edge of the plate (along the x -axis) is
clamped so that it can be thought of a half model of a clamped simple beam.
This sample is put into test for a regular and a trapezoidal shaped mesh. The displacement results shows that the trapezoidal elements behave stiffer as usual. The stress
values on the other hand reveal the reason. The following figure shows the result of the
two samples. It is to be noted that, we would not expect any stress except yy and yz.
The results with the regular mesh also shows similar result. But in the distorted mesh,
the stresses xx , xz and xy appears which is totally not physical. The magnitudes of
the these non-physical stresses are pretty high, more than half of yy for regular mesh.
Moreover, it can be noted that the stress are oscillatory for xx and xz.
Nevertheless, beyond doubt, these stresses are responsible for the stiffening of the structure. This case, the xx and xz is not expected. But for the plate bending, where
they are expected, this type of mesh should induce some extra stress superposed on the
original one. This can be an explanation of the stiff behaviour due this type of mesh.
(a) xz
(b) xy
Figure 7.11: Parasitic stresses in EAS elements for trapezoidal shaped elements
46
(a) yy
(b) xx
Figure 7.12: Comparison of normal stresses for regular and trapezoidal shaped mesh
Effect of 3D mesh distortion

The effect of mesh distortion in all three direction is the most severe. Results are
found either too stiff or showing non-physical deformation. Previously the effect of
the trapezoidal shaped distortion is discussed. Now for the fourth mesh three different
problems come into play together. First of all elements are distorted, then again they
are trapezoidal shaped and the element edges across the thickness is skewed which
additionally induce the trapezoidal locking. Another attempt was taken to study the
effect of random mesh distortion in all three directions. The results are too erroneous
to present here.
Influence on EAS parameters

From the figures (7.7) and (7.8), we can have an idea about the most influencing EAS
parameters for this problem. It is evident that only the first nine parameters are sufficient
for the thick limit. But in the thin limit only using them causes significant deviation
in the displacement. In our study, it came up that out 12 extra parameters, only the
11th and the 15th influence the result most as we see their absence causes significant
deviation in displacement values.
Again it is due to the fact that the thinner the plate is, the more dominant its transverse
shear stresses. These two parameters correspond to the trial functions that are responsible to eliminate parasitic transverse shear stresses in case of double bending modes,
c22
and c23
47
. This type of double bending mode occurs in plate
structures like this example. It is not the intention here to say that the other parameters
are not necessary. Of course they help us to get realistic stress values.
7.2
48
Pinched ring test
The pinched ring test enables us to evaluate the element performance when it is used
to model curved beam. In this type of problem, elements, in particular the continuum
elements are susceptible trapezoidal locking. A ring subjected to the point load in the
vertical direction is considered.
Test setup
A quarter of the ring was modelled utilizing the symmetry of the problem. The thickness
is varied from 1.0m to 0.001m. The magnitude of applied force was selected such that
all different samples with different thicknesses result into the same displacement. The
quarter model was coarsely meshed with four elements. A regular and distorted mesh
put to the test to observe the effect of mesh quality. The material parameter used
was E=1GPa and was investigated for Poissons ratio = 0.0 and 0.3. Alike the other
investigations S4, SC3DI, C3D8R, EAS21, EAS29 and EAS33 was used for performance
comparison. The analytical result was taken as reference when Poissons ratio, = 0.0
is considered. For = 0.3 the results were compared with the one using shell elements
with fine mesh.
The following figure describes the problem setup in brief.
F
F
2
10 m
thickness
t= 1.0, 0.1, 0.01, 0.001
line of symmetry
(a) The pinched ring problem
(c) Regular mesh
(b) The quarter model
(d) Distorted mesh
Figure 7.13: Problem set up of the pinched ring problem
49
Result
The comparative displacements obtained from the elements is presented in the next two
figures.
1
0.9
0.8
Displacement (m)
0.7
Refernce
S4
C3D8R
SC3DI
EAS21
EAS29
EAS33
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0
1.0
0.1
0.01
0.001
Thickness (m)
Figure 7.14: The displacement results for the pinched ring test with = 0.0
1
0.9
0.8
Displacement (m)
0.7
Reference
S4
C3D8R
SC3DI
EAS21
EAS29
EAS33
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0
1.0
0.1
0.01
0.001
Thickness (m)
Figure 7.15: The displacement results for the pinched ring test with = 0.3
From the plots it is obvious that the element performance is very poor. The results
deviate rapidly and for thickness 0.001m, the displacement is literary zero. Although
50
the performance for the EAS elements are better than the C3D8I, still no useful result
can be obtain out of it. The shell element performs well, the continuum shell also
perform well but fail to converge to a result for thickness 0.001m. To have a better idea
about the element performances, the relative error is presented in the following table.
The relative error due to mesh distortion is displayed at the next.
Element
Thickness
0.1
0.01
0.001
S4
C3D8I
SC3DI
EAS21
EAS29
EAS33
S4
C3D8I
SC3DI
EAS21
EAS29
EAS33
= 0.0
8.64%
19.29%
3.23%
14.36%
14.30%
15.46%
12.21%
22.42%
5.35%
13.03%
12.95%
15.84%
9.71%
92.09%
4.30%
24.38%
24.37%
25.11%
12.64%
92.67%
5.46%
22.79%
22.77%
24.99%
9.72%
99.91%
4.35%
86.67%
86.64%
86.67%
12.64%
99.92%
5.42%
85.44%
85.41%
85.49%
9.72%
100.00%
= 0.3
99.84%
99.84%
99.84%
12.64%
100.00%
99.82%
99.82%
99.82%
Table 7.5: Deviation from the reference result for the pinched ring problem
=0.0
= 0.3
Thickness
EAS21
EAS29
EAS33
EAS21
EAS29
EAS33
Undistorted mesh
1
14.36%
14.30%
15.46%
13.03%
12.95%
15.84%
0.1
24.38%
24.37%
25.11%
22.79%
22.77%
24.99%
Distorted mesh
1
50.02%
47.45%
47.91%
45.31%
42.60%
44.03%
0.1
97.43%
97.22%
97.25%
97.11%
96.86%
96.89%
Table 7.6: Effect of mesh distortion for the pinched ring problem
Discussion
The following points can be noted from the presented data.
Trapezoidal locking
The first point that is noticed in this example is the huge deviation from the reference
solution. The EAS elements always showed deviation over 10% even in the thick case.
This aberration occurred due to the trapezoidal locking. The displacement elements
suffer from this type of problem and EAS enhancement can not solve this. Moreover
EAS elements can perform well if the element edges are not skewed. But here we can
not avoid it due to the model geometry.
51
Effect of mesh distortion

This case the elements fail to come up with a good result even with a regular mesh. So,
obviously the mesh distortion worsen the result. As we saw earlier, the EAS elements
inherently sensitive to it. Here the trapezoidal locking along with distorted mesh provide
no useful result.
Effect of thickness change

The critical parameter for the trapezoidal locking is the aspect ratio of the element. Thus
as thickness decreases, the locking is more dominant and thus the structure behaves more
stiff.
7.3
52
Tube in cantilever loading
In this test a cantilever beam is considered. Two different cross sections are put into
test. One is circular cross section with concentric circular void, i.e. the tube and the
other one is same tube with additional four rectangular stiffeners.
Test setup
The length of the tubes are 20m and the mean diameter is 1m. The thickness value used
1.0 (only for the tube),0.1,0.01,0.001m. The material parameters used is E = 1 Gpa and
the test is carried out for = 0.0 and 0.3. The clamped boundary condition is prescribed
on the fixed end and on the free surface traction force is applied. The loads for different
calculation is computed such that they end up with a comparable displacement. The
geometry and the test setup is illustrated in the following figure.
Clamped B. C.
0.5 m
t = 1.0,0.1,
0.01,0.001 m
20 m
(a) The tube problem setup
Clamped B. C.
(b)
The
mesh
0.5 m
t = 1.0, 0.1, 0.01m
20 m
(c) The stiffened tube problem setup
(d) The mesh
Figure 7.16: The problem setup for the tube problems
53
Result
The comparative displacements for the different element is presented in the following
figures.
1.2
1.1
1
Displacement (m)
0.9
Reference
S4
C3D8R
SC3DI
EAS21
EAS29
EAS33
0.8
0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0
1.0
0.1
0.01
0.001
Thickness (m)
(a) for = 0.0
1.2
1.1
1
Displacement (m)
0.9
Reference
S4
C3D8R
SC3DI
EAS21
EAS29
EAS33
0.8
0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0
1.0
0.1
0.01
0.001
Thickness (m)
(b) for = 0.3
Figure 7.17: The displacement results for the tube problem
54
As we see, a sufficiently accurate result is produced by all types of elements. The

comparative results for the tube with stiffeners is presented in the following figure.
Displacement (m)
Reference
S4
C3D8R
SC3DI
EAS21
EAS29
EAS33
0.9
0.8
1.0
0.1
0.01
0.001
Thickness (m)
(a) for = 0.0
Displacement (m)
Reference
S4
C3D8R
SC3DI
EAS21
EAS29
EAS33
0.9
0.8
1.0
0.1
0.01
0.001
Thickness (m)
(b) for = 0.3
Figure 7.18: The displacement results for the stiffened tube problem
55
The deviation from the reference solution for the example is demonstrated on the following tables.
Element
Thickness
0.1
0.01
0.001
S4
C3D8I
SC3DI
EAS21
EAS29
EAS33
S4
C3D8I
SC3DI
EAS21
EAS29
EAS33
= 0.0
-27.15%
-9.44%
-16.14%
-8.61%
-8.63%
-8.73%
-9.03%
7.21%
-6.97%
8.15%
8.25%
8.42%
-11.88%
-12.21%
-1.47%
-12.28%
-12.29%
-12.29%
-10.03%
-8.96%
-8.69%
-8.97%
-9.07%
-9.07%
-11.79%
-12.22%
-1.74%
-12.23%
-12.24%
-12.24%
-9.69%
-8.66%
-8.95%
-8.76%
-8.78%
-8.78%
-11.79%
-12.22%
-1.83%
-12.22%
-12.23%
-12.23%
-9.40%
-8.36%
-8.80%
-8.46%
-8.48%
-8.48%
= 0.3
Table 7.7: Deviation from the reference result for the cantilever tube problem
Element
Thickness
0.1
0.01
S4
C3D8I
SC3DI
EAS21
EAS29
EAS33
S4
C3D8I
SC3DI
EAS21
EAS29
EAS33
= 0.0%
0.58%
-6.79%
-0.87%
-6.79%
-6.81%
-6.81%
2.57%
-3.50%
-3.88%
-3.52%
-3.54%
-3.53%
0.61%
-4.94%
-1.20%
-4.94%
-4.96%
-4.96%
2.65%
-1.65%
-3.02%
-1.71%
-1.73%
-1.73%
0.61%
-4.76%
-1.35%
-4.77%
-4.79%
-4.78%
2.72%
-1.43%
-2.99%
-1.50%
-1.52%
-1.51%
= 0.3%
Table 7.8: Deviation from the reference result for the stiffened cantilever tube problem
The influence of the EAS parameters for this problem is illustrated in the following
figures. There is an additional case, case 7 where no EAS parameters are used. The
element works as a pure displacement element in this case.
56
8
7
deviation (%)
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
1
3
case
0.01
0.1
thi ck ness
(a) The tube problem
7
6
deviation (%)
5
4
3
2
1
0
1
3
case
1
6
0.01
0.1
thi ck ness
(b) The stiffened tube problem
Figure 7.19: The influence of EAS parameters for the tube problems
57
Discussion
In this example all the elements have shown good performance. The reason can be
understood from the figure (7.19). There we see that almost no EAS parameter has
significant influence on the displacement. Which means the elements are not subjected
to the bending or torsional modes. There is no locking observed for stretching and shear
modes in continuum elements. In this example, most of the elements deformed in such a
way that only shear and stretching modes are dominated. Still a small influence can be
observed when switching off all the EAS parameters. The displacement deviates around
7% in this case.
In case of the tube with stiffeners, around one third of the stiffness comes from the
vertical stiffeners which are mostly under shear and stretching mode, not in bending.
Only the transverse stiffeners are subjected to bending on the element level. Thus a few
EAS parameters are enough in this case to avoid locking.
Chapter 8
Conclusion
In this thesis the eight-noded three-dimensional brick element is implemented with all
twenty one EAS parameters that needed to make it fully locking free. Further implementation includes the introduction of higher order EAS shape functions to achieve realistic
transverse shear stress distribution. At the end we end up with a brick element (if number of EAS parameters are zero) and EAS elements with twenty one, twenty nine and
thirty three parameters. All these variants had undergone the single element test, the
patch test and numerical examples like plate in bending, the pinched ring test and tube
in cantilever loading test. The performance of the element at thin limit, the influence of
the EAS parameters and the effect of mesh distortion was investigated in the numerical
examples.
8.1
Summary
Based on the results, the following conclusions can be drawn as summary.

The element shows comparable performance to the shell and continuum shell elements and very good results compared to the continuum element with incompatible
modes even at at a high aspect ratio, i.e. when the element is thin.
The performance of the element falls when the aspect ratio is too much.
The EAS elements are vulnerable to the mesh distortion showing significant deviation in displacement values. This effect is higher as the element get thinner. The
result is worsen if the mesh is distorted in a regular trapezoidal shape where the
oscillating stresses are observed. The worst result is produced by elements with
anti-symmetric trapezoidal shapes. Trapezoidal locking takes place if the curved
structure is subjected to bending.
The influence of the higher EAS parameters (after the first nine)is not significant
as long as the element gets thinner. For the thin element in plate bending problem,
the 11th and the 15th EAS parameter has a significant influence as they are essential to avoid transverse shear locking in this problem. Thus for the analysis where
computing displacements is the main goal, a significant amount of computation
cost can be saved if the other EAS parameters are switched off. But for stress
analysis, all twenty one are needed to obtain a better stress value.
58
Chapter 8. Conclusion
59
More-over the use of additional four parameters in EAS29 is recommended to

have better transverse shear stresses across the thickness specially in bending. It
is worth to have better stress results accepting the additional costs. The additional
parameters in EAS33 helps to have even better result in stress resultant as they
take the thickness change into account. But the improvement in stress results may
not fully pay off the computation effort involved. It is to be noted that the more
the EAS parameters are, the higher the order of the matrix is to be operated,
including the matrix inversion.
In cases like tube in bending, where the elements are mostly in the stretching and
shear modes instead of bending modes, an acceptable result can be achieved even
with seven (the first nine excluding the seventh and the ninth) EAS parameters.
8.2
Future work
In the whole work no anisotropy, geometric and material non-linearity was considered.
A possible extension of the work would be to extend the element routines for nonlinear analysis. The element response in case of non-isotropic material, in particular for
composite materials could be a possible topic of investigation. The element is found to
produce nice results even in course mesh and thin limit provided that the mesh is not
distorted. A significant improvement in the element technology can be achieved if the
distortion sensitivity can be reduced without compromising the existing features as well
as if the the oscillating stresses in particular mesh distortion can be stabilized .
Reference
[1] M. Bischoff, E. Ramm, A. Sorg. Lecture notes: Computational Mechanics of Structures. 2008.
[2] M. Bischoff, E. Ramm, A. Sorg. Lecture notes: Advanced Computational Structural
Mechanics. 2009.
[3] M. Bischoff. Theorie und Numerik einer dreidimensionalen Schalenformulierung,
PhD thesis, Institute of Structural Mechanics, University of Stuttgart, 1999.
[4] S. Schrammel. Untersuchung zur Verwendung von Schalenelementen f
ur Strukturen im Flugzeugbau, Diploma thesis, Institute of Structural Mechanics, University
of Stuttgart, 2010.
[5] F. Koschnick. Geometrische Locking-Effekte bei Finiten Elementen und ein allgemeines Konzept zu ihrer Vermeidung. PhD thesis, Technical University of Munich,
2004.
[6] U. Andelfinger, E. Ramm, EAS-elements for two-dimensional, three-dimensional,
plate and shell structures and their equivalence to HR-elements. International Journal
for Numerical Methods in Engineering, 36: 1311:1337, 1993
[7] F. Daoud. Formoptimierung von Freiformschalen. PhD thesis, Technical University
of Munich, 2005.
[8] N.D. Quy, A. Matzenmiller A Solid-Shell Element with Enhanced Assumed Strains
for Higher Order Shear Deformations in Laminates., 2007.
60

Thesis On Shear Locking in FEM

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Universitt Stuttgart

Baustatik und Baudynamik

Mohammad Tanvir Rahman

Institut fr Baustatik und Baudynamik

Baustatik und Baudynamik

In particular, the following steps have to be performed:

Implementing an 8-node brick element into the research code CCARAT.

Performing numerical experiments to compare the developed element with elements

Mohammad Tanvir Rahman

At first I would like to express my utmost gratitude to my supervisors Prof. Dr.-Ing.

2 Finite Element Formulation

4 The EAS formulation

The eight-noded brick element and the shape functions . . . . . . . . . . .

In-plane shear locking .

The transverse shear stress distribution in beam theory . . . . . . . . . . 19

The flow chart for the element main function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Rigid body translation modes resulting from constant displacements . .

The Plate problem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Parasitic stresses in EAS elements for trapezoidal shaped elements . . .

Remedies of locking problem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

The modes, parasitic stresses and associated EAS parameters . . . . . . . 31

Scope and objective

Finite Element Formulation

Basics of finite element method

For three-dimensional elasticity problem the PVW have the form

Chapter 2. Finite Element Formulation

T d is the strain energy due to arbitrary displacement u which is the

body force b in domain and by applied traction t in boundary respectively.

with displacement vector, u =

and strain tensor (in Voigt-notation), =

The stress tensor (also in Voigt-notation), =

can be obtained applying material law

Chapter 2. Finite Element Formulation

Now, introduction of (2.3) and (2.4) in (2.2) yields

The strain should also be approximated to h as the displacement u is approximated

Chapter 2. Finite Element Formulation

Thus (2.6) for any arbitrary element reads

Chapter 2. Finite Element Formulation

Three-dimensional continuum element formulation

Chapter 2. Finite Element Formulation

The inverse relation is

For transformation of any infinitesimal volume element, the relation reads

And any integral over the domain can be transformed to

Chapter 2. Finite Element Formulation

The strain-displacement relation thus reads

which ultimately leads us to the non-linear strain displacement relation

The term N1,x is computed using the following relation

nGP nGP nGP

The element stiffness matrix k is computed using (2.31).

Chapter 2. Finite Element Formulation

The word Locking is more or less self-explanatory. In context of structural mechanics,

In-plane shear locking

Thus, as o.5, , which means the material behaves as if it is

Figure 3.2: Volumetric locking

Transverse shear locking

Figure 3.4: Transverse shear locking

The popular solutions available for avoiding locking are as follows:

Transverse shear locking

In-plane shear locking

Table 3.1: Remedies of locking problem

The EAS formulation

The EAS formulation is based on the variational principle of Hu-Washizu.

Chapter 4. The EAS formulation