1. Discretization

1.1. Degrees of freedom

For the three shell models, the degrees of freedom of discretization are, at each node of the support mesh, the three displacement components (two translations and one rotation). The knots are assumed to belong to the average surface of the shell.

Finite element

Degrees of freedom (at each vertex node)

MECXSE3

DX

DY

DRZ

1.2. Stiffness matrix support mesh

Finite element support meshes, in displacement formulation, are segments with three nodes:

Modeling

Mesh

Finished Element

Remarks

COQUE_AXIS

SEG3

MECXSE3

1.3. Cargo support mesh

All the loads applicable on the average surface of the shell elements are treated by direct discretization on the support mesh of the element in displacement formulation.

No load support mesh is therefore necessary for the faces of the shell elements.

For imposed movements, the support meshes are meshes reduced to one point.