• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
• /
• v.36 no.12
• /
• pp.27-34
• /
• 2020

Use of axisymmetric shell element for the structure increases the efficiency and accuracy in finite element analysis of the interaction between the ground and the structure. This paper derived the force balance equation and the moment balance equation for an axisymmetric shell element based on Kirchhoff's theory. The governing equation for the axial deformation used the isoparametric shape function in the Galerkin formulation, and the governing equation for the shell bending used the higher-order shape function. The developed axisymmetric shell element was combined with Geo-COUS, a geotechnical finite element program for the coupled analysis with the ground. The accuracy of the developed element was confirmed through the example analyses of the circular plate and the liquid storage tank. And the energy balance equation for the axisymmetric shell element is presented.