Abstract
Solid finite elements of low order could be used for the framed analysis, but shear locking phenomenon appears at the slender beam analysis and it is difficult to accurately express a simple stress situation. Then, in this case many elements are needed to obtain a solution of the same accuracy as the solution by beam elements. In this paper, a new solid finite element which can describe simple stress situations and avoid shear locking phenomenon is proposed. This element gives the same result as Timoshenko beam element using reduced integration technique at the same number as beam element. Moreover, the solutions corresponding to the solid mechanics theory are obtained when fine mesh division is used. Therefore, this element has both the advantages of beam and solid elements, and it excludes zero energy modes and also volumetric locking phenomenon that occurs when Poisson's ratio is equal to 1/2.
