Mixed MITC and interface shell element formulation for complex viscoelastic shell structures

Abstract

This study presents a novel approach for constitutive modeling of complex shell structures using a mixture of MITC3 and MITC4 and interface shell element formulation. It focuses on accurate viscoelastic analysis, considering time-dependent behavior such as creep and relaxation. By combining the advantages of MITC3 and MITC4 elements, along with interface shell elements, this approach provides a comprehensive representation of complex shell structures with nonmatching interfaces. These methods also provide better resistance to shear and membrane locking, which can be problematic when modeling thin shell structures. Moreover, the use of the Laplace transform simplifies the integral-form constitutive equation, enabling efficient and accurate viscoelastic analysis. This research contributes to improving the design and performance of shell structures in various engineering fields. © 2024 by Sy-Ngoc Nguyen, Jaehun Lee, Thuan N.-T. Ho.