Reduced Bezier element quadrature rules for quadratic and cubic splines in isogeometric analysis

We explore the use of various element-based reduced quadrature strategies for bivariate and trivariate quadratic and cubic spline elements used in isogeometric analysis. The rules studied encompass tensor-product Gauss and Gauss-Lobatto rules, and certain so-called monomial rules that do no possess a tensor-product structure. The objective of the study is to determine quadrature strategies, which enjoy the same accuracy and stability behavior as full Gauss quadrature, but with significantly fewer quadrature points. Several cases emerge that satisfy this objective and also demonstrate superior efficiency compared with standard C-0-continuous finite elements of the same order. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.