This paper on "Some Experience with Testing Shell Finite Elements" was presented at the International Conference on Quality Assurance and Standards in Finite Element Analysis - 13-15 May 1987, The Grand Hotel, Brighton.

Summary

The paper presents the authors' experiences with a suite of tests employed to determine the correctness, accuracy, and robustness of shell finite elements for linear elastic and geometric nonlinear problems. Particular emphasis is placed on testing element sensitivity to distortions, validation of spurious zero-energy mode stabilization procedures, and use of linear elastic tests for selection of ''good" nonlinear elements.