Finite element modeling of a linear membrane shell problem using tangential differential calculus

We construct a new Galerkin finite element method for the membrane elasticity problem on a meshed surface by using two-dimensional elements extended into three dimensions. The membrane finite element model is established using a tangential differential calculus approach that avoids the use of classical differential geometric methods. The finite element method generalizes the classical flat element shell method where standard plane stress elements are used for membrane problems. This makes our method applicable to a wider range of problems and of surface descriptions, including surfaces defined by distance functions.