Some results for approximate strain and rotation tensor formulations in geometrically non-linear Reissner-Mindlin plate theory

Finite element deflection and stress results are presented for four flat plate configurations and are computed using kinematically approximate (rotation tensor, strain tensor or both) non-linear Reissner-Mindlin plate models. The finite element model is based on a mixed variational principle and has both displacement and force field variables. High order interpolation of the field variables is possible through p-type discretization. Results for some of the higher order approximate models are given for what appears to be the first time. It is found that for the class of example problems examined, exact strain tensor but approximate rotation tensor theories can significantly improve the solution over approximate strain tensor models such as the von Kármán and moderate rotation models when moderate deflections/rotations are present. However, for each of the problems examined (with the exception of a postbuckling problem) the von Kármán and moderate rotation model results compared favorably with the higher order models for deflection magnitudes which could be reasonably expected in typical aeroelastic configurations.