• Assumed to be a flat or a curved two-dimensional surface with a small thickness normal to the middle surface compared to other dimensions.
  • Represent the mid-plane (neutral-plane) of the plane.
  • Do not model stretching displacement
  • Assumed to bend in the transverse direction
  • 2 degrees of freedom per node: transverse displacement and in plane rotation
  • Can be modelled as either thin or thick elements


  • As in beam element, to ensure continuity of slope, displacement should be minimum cubic interpolation

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