An Equilibrium Shell Element for Folded Plate Structures

This paper concerns the verification, validation, and performance of a hybrid equilibrium flat shell quadrilateral element for linear elastic analyses. A benchmark plate bending problem and a folded plate problem are modelled using equilibrium and conforming elements for comparison. In models of the latter problem, torsional moments are released along fold lines, and the effects of this assumption are studied by analysing a model composed of solid brick elements. A 1D hybrid equilibrium element is proposed to simplify the modelling of folded or stiffened plates. Key-words — strong equilibrium, flat shell elements, folded plates.