Locking free matching of different three dimensional models in structural mechanics

• Published in: ESAIM Mathematical Modelling and Numerical Analysis 2007-01, Vol.41 (1), p.129-145
• Main Authors: Le Tallec, Patrick, Mani Aouadi, Saloua
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 3D coupling; 65N30; 65N55; 74G15; 74K25; 74S05; Approximation; Deformation; delinquent modes; Engineering Sciences; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); incompressible elasticity; inf-sup condition; Kinematics; locking free approximations; Materials and structures in mechanics; Mechanics; Membranes; mixed formulations; mortar elements; Physics; shells; Solid mechanics; Structural and continuum mechanics; Theory and numerical methods
• ISSN: 0764-583X; 1290-3841
• DOI: 10.1051/m2an:2007013

The present paper proposes and analyzes a general locking free mixed strategy for computing the deformation of incompressible three dimensional structures placed inside flexible membranes. The model involves as in Chapelle and Ferent [Math. Models Methods Appl. Sci. 13 (2003) 573–595] a bending dominated shell envelope and a quasi incompressible elastic body. The present work extends an earlier work of Arnold and Brezzi [Math Comp. 66 (1997) 1–14] treating the shell part and proposes a global stable finite element approximation by coupling optimal mixed finite element formulations of the different subproblems by mortar techniques. Examples of adequate finite elements are proposed. Convergence results are derived in two steps. First a global inf-sup condition is proved, deduced from the local conditions to be satisfied by the finite elements used for the external shell problem, the internal incompressible 3D problem, and the mortar coupling, respectively. Second, the analysis of Arnold and Brezzi [Math. Comp. 66 (1997) 1–14] is extended to the present problem and least to convergence results for the full coupled problem, with constants independent of the problem's small parameters.