Finite element approximation of piezoelectric plates

A Reissner–Mindlin‐type modellization of piezoelectric plates is here considered in a suitable variational framework. Both the membranal and the bending behaviour are studied as the thickness of the structure tends to zero. A finite element scheme able to approximate the solution is then proposed and theoretically analysed. Some numerical results showing the performances of the scheme under consideration are discussed. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.