MITC9 shell elements based on refined theories for the analysis of isotropic cylindrical structures

In this work a nine-nodes shell finite element, formulated in the framework of Carreras Unified Formulation (CUF), is presented. The exact geometry of cylindrical shells is considered. The Mixed Interpolation of Tensorial Components (MITC) technique is applied to the element in order to overcome shear and membrane locking phenomenon. High-order equivalent single layer theories contained in the CUF are used to perform the analysis of shell structures. Benchmark solutions from the open literature are taken to validate the obtained results. The mixed-interpolated shell finite element shows good properties of convergence and robustness by increasing the number of used elements and the order of expansion of displacements in the thickness direction. © 2013 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.