Basis functions for axisymmetric shell elements which satisfy rigid-body requirements

Shell elements are formulated using basis functions which are determined from the condition that the basis functions must reproduce all six rigid-body motions as a minimal requirement. As such the basis functions will in general not be polynomials; therefore the question of numerical integration schemes for the elements is also addressed. In order to demonstrate this capbility, examples are presented for a wide range of axisymmetric shells. For these problems, the appropriate basis functions are developed and the formulation is verified by tests that include eigenvalue, prescribed rigid-body motion, and load-deflection results.

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