Rotation free isogeometric thin shell analysis using PHT-splines

This paper presents a novel approach for isogeometric analysis of thin shells using polynomial splines over hierarchical T-meshes (PHT-splines). The method exploits the flexibility of T-meshes for local refinement. The main advantage of the PHT-splines in the context of thin shell theory is that it achieves C1 continuity, so the Kirchhoff–Love theory can be used in pristine form. No rotational degrees of freedom are needed. Numerical results show the excellent performance of the present method.

► An isogeometric shell element based on the thin shell theory is proposed.
► The PHT-spline tremendously facilitates local refinement and possess C1 continuity.
► The thin shell analysis based on Kirchhoff–Love theory avoids the use of rotational degrees of freedom.