A node-based smoothed finite element method with stabilized discrete shear gap technique for analysis of Reissner-Mindlin plates

In this paper, a node-based smoothed finite element method (NS-FEM) using 3-node triangular elements is formulated for static, free vibration and buckling analyses of Reissner-Mindlin plates. The discrete weak form of the NS-FEM is obtained based on the strain smoothing technique over smoothing domains associated with the nodes of the elements. The discrete shear gap (DSG) method together with a stabilization technique is incorporated into the NS-FEM to eliminate transverse shear locking and to maintain stability of the present formulation. A so-called node-based smoothed stabilized discrete shear gap method (NS-DSG) is then proposed. Several numerical examples are used to illustrate the accuracy and effectiveness of the present method.