Abstract: The equivalent continuum properties of a structure composed of repeated patterns of discrete elements with both displacement and rotation coordinates are determined. These nodal coordinates are transformed to rigid body ...

Abstract: A rational procedure for evaluating the performance of two and three dimensional finite elements is developed. This procedure compares the strain energy content and the strain distribution of the finite element model to ...

Abstract: A finite element is developed that accurately models the strain states it is designed to represent regardless of its initial configuration. In other words, the interpolation polynomials are unchanged hy element distortion. ...

Abstract: Many rectangular isoparametric finite elements contain a modeling error known as parasitic shear. Parasitic shear can be removed by applying the correct reduced-order Gauss quardrature integration rule. When the