Triangular based prismatic finite element for the analysis of orthotropic laminated beams, plates and shells

In this paper, we revisit the FEM solution of laminated plates and shells that nowadays are mostly done by low order solid or shell finite elements enriched by stress or strain fields, or by specific kinematics dedicated to the analysis of such structures. We introduce a triangular based prismatic finite element of any approximation order capable of solving from very thin to very thick laminated plates and shells, with the following properties: (i) locking-free behavior; (ii) good stress distribution even for complex materials; (iii) geometrically exact description of large displacements; and (iv) geometry dedicated to evaluate plates and shells (laminated or not) free of problems due to distorted meshes or ill-conditioned systems as thickness decreases. This triangular based prismatic finite element can also be employed in laminated beams, holding the same properties. The proposed element uses total Lagrangian description based on positions, and its performance regarding the claimed properties is demonstrated in several examples.