New rotation free shell triangle for crash-worthiness analysis in parallel PC networks

Abstract

A new three node shell triangular element with translational degree of freedom as the only modal variables is presented. The element formulation is based on combining a standard linear finite element interpolation with a cell centered finite volume scheme. Details of the implementation of the element in an explicit dynamic code operating in parallel on networks of PC’s are presented. The efficiency and applicability of the new rotation free shell triangle is shown in the solution of some contact/impact and crash-worthiness problem.