Structural analysis of composite laminates using a mixed hybrid shell element

The structural analysis of thin composite structures requires robust and effective shell elements. In this paper the variational formulation is based on a Hu–Washizu functional with independent displacements, stress resultants and shell strains. For the independent shell strains an additional interpolation part is introduced. This yields an improved convergence behaviour especially for laminated shells with coupled membrane and bending stiffness. The developed mixed hybrid shell element possesses the correct rank and fulfills the in–plane and bending patch test. The formulation is tested by several nonlinear examples including bifurcation and post–buckling response. The essential feature of the new element is the robustness in nonlinear computations with large rigid body motions. It allows very large load steps in comparison to standard displacement models.