Abstract
A formulation of two-dimensional geometrical non-linear finite element with drilling degrees of freedom is presented and some analyses using the proposed element are conducted. The formulation is based on a rate form of the virtual work principle and obtained by a simple extension of standard FEM. A convergence of analysis solution and robustness for element distortion are investigated and the results are compared with those of standard displacement based first and second order elements. The proposed element provides a good solution convergence as well as second order standard elements although number of D.O.F. of the element is less. Additionally, it is shown that high-precision solution is given when the mesh is strongly distorted.
