Abstract

In this work a solid finite element based on a Total Lagrangian Formulation using logarithmic strains is combined with a classical assumed strain approach of the transverse strains for thick shells. The target is to use the element for shell simulations without shear locking. The selective mass scaling technique used to avoid that the discretization across the thickness reduce the critical time in codes with explicit integration of the momentum equations is summarized. Several examples are presented showing that the element is shear-locking free, the consequences of the selective mass scaling and the possibilities of the element for the analysis of composites laminates in non-linear material regime.