A simple triangular element for thick and thin plate and shell analysis

A new plate triangle based on Reissner–Mindlin plate theory is proposed. The element has a standard linear deflection field and an incompatible linear rotation field expressed in terms of the mid-side rotations. Locking is avoided by introducing an assumed linear shear strain field based on the tangential shear strains at the mid-sides. The element is free of spurious modes, satisfies the patch test and behaves correctly for thick and thin plate and shell situations. The element degenerates in an explicit manner to a simple discrete Kirchhoff form.