A mixed finite element formulation for Reissner—Mindlin plate theory: uniform convergence of all higher-order spaces

Abstract A new mixed finite element formulation of Reissner-Mindlin theory is presented which improves upon the stability properties of the Galerkin formulation. General convergence theorems are proved which are uniformly valid for all values of the plate thickness, including the Poisson-Kirchhoff limit. As long as the dependent variables are interpolated with functions of sufficiently high order, the formulation is convergent. No special devices are required.

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