A modified four-node rectangular element

Abstract

The sensitized principle of virtual work is applied to modify the stiffness matrix of the ordinary four-node rectangular element by sensitizing terms. The sensitizing parameter values are determined by the single-element strain energy test. The reference solutions used are of bending mode types and their application removes the so-called parasitic shear behavior. A stiffness matrix of good quality is obtained corresponding exactly to an earlier formulation using incompatible modes.