An efficient six-node plate bending hybrid mixed element based on mindlin/reissner plate theory

A new efficient hybrid/mixed thin similar to moderately thick plate bending element with B-node (HM6-14) is formulated based on the Reissner-Mindlin plate bending theory. The convergence of this element is proved by error estimate theories and verified by patch test respectively. Numerical studies on such an element as HM6-14 demonstrate that it has remarkable convergence, invariability to geometric distorted mesh situations, to axial rotations, and to node positions, and no \'\'locking\'\' phenomenon in thin plate limit. The present element is suitable to many kinds of shape and thin similar to moderately thick plate bending problems. Further, in comparison with original hybrid/mixed plate bending element HP4, the present element yields an improvement of solutions. Therefore, it is an efficient element and suitable for the development of adaptive multi-field finite element method (FEM).