A new triangular discrete Kirchhoff plate/shell element

We present a new 6-node triangular bending element (called DKTP) based on a discrete Kirchhoff model. A corresponding new flat-shell element, DLTP, having quadratic variation of in-plane displacement is also presented. This element has 6 degrees-of-freedom (u, v, w, θx, θy, θz) at each corner node and 3 degrees-of-freedom (u, v, w) at each mid-side node. Detailed numerical experimentation is presented to demonstrate the efficiency and reliability of these elements.