| Abstract: | In this paper, we start with a modified generalized laminate stiffness matrix that serves as a remedy to resolve the thickness locking and some abnormalities encountered by solid‐shell elements in laminate analyses. A modified Hellinger–Reissner functional having displacement and a set of generalized stresses as independent fields is devised. Based upon the functional, eight‐node and 18‐node hybrid‐stress solid‐shell elements are proposed. A number of benchmark tests on homogenous and laminated plates/shells are conducted. The accuracy of the elements is promising. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |
