Correction of the strain field of linear tetrahedral finite element using strain smoothing method

Abstract

The purpose of this paper was analyzing the performance of the linear tetrahedral finite element. As 4-node tetrahedrons are low-order elements that have a very stiff behavior with a constant strain field in bending problem analysis, this paper presents the Strain Smoothed Element Method, which gives considerably better performances of the linear elements comparing to standard formulation, without introducing significant changes in FEM. Taking constant strains of the adjacent elements into consideration, using this method the linear strain field is created in the observed element, which achieves greater precision and hence lowering the discontinuity of the stress on the borders between elements.