Optimal $mathcal{L}^2$ error bounds for MITC3 type element

Summary. In this paper, we derive the optimal error bounds for the stabilized MITC3 element [3], the MIN3 type element [7] and the T3BL element [8]. In this way we have solved the problem proposed recently in [5] in a positive manner. Moreover, we estimate the difference between stabilized MITC3 and MIN3 and show it is of order uniform in the plate thickness. Received May 31, 2000 / Revised version received April 2, 2001 / Published online September 19, 2001