Application of P1-Nonconforming Element for Shell Structure of Incompressible Materiel

This research focused on solving volumetric locking problem of shell structure of incompressible material. Degenerated solid-shell elements are widely applied on curved structure. But, volumetric locking will take place when the structure is made of incompressible material, such as rubber. Due to Poisson’s locking free property of P1-nonconforming element, it is employed to solve volumetric locking problem of shell structure. Furthermore, the study on shell structure is extended to topology optimization design. To verify the volumetric locking free of P1-nonconforming element on shell structure of incompressible material, some structures are studied by different elements. Comparing with the utilization of high order elements to solve volumetric locking problems, P1-nonconforming elements can save calculation time and reduce the numerical cost.