• Computational Structural Engineering
• /
• v.8 no.4
• /
• pp.87-97
• /
• 1995

For the same configuration of two-dimensional finite element models, 6-node element exhibits stiffer bending stiffness than 8-node element. This is true in the relation between 16-node element and 20-node element for three-dimensional model. This stiffening phenomenon comes from the elimination of several mid nodes from full-node elements. Therefore, this may be called 'relative stiffness stiffening phenomenon'. It seems that there are a couple of ways to correct the stiffening effect, however, we could find only one effective method-the method of modification of Gauss sampling points-which passes the patch test and does not alter other kinds of stiffness, such as extensional stiffness. The quantity of modification is a function of Poisson's ratios of the constituent materials. We could obtain two modification equations, one for plane stress case and the other for plane strain case. This method can be extended to 3-dimensional solid elements. Except the exact plane strain cases, most 3-dimensional plates could be modeled successfully with 16-node element modified by the equation for the plane stress case. The effectiveness of the modification method is checked by applying it to several examples with excellent improvements. In numerical examples, beams with various boundary conditions are subjected to static and time-dependent loads. Free and forced motion analyses of beams and plates are also tested. The beam and plate may be composed of isotropic multilayers as well as a single layer.