On a systematic development of trilinear three-dimensional solid elements based on Simoʹs enhanced strain formulation

systematic development of eight-node trilinear three-dimensional solid elements based on Simo’s theoretical framework for the enhanced assumed strain formulation is presented for linear elasticity. The starting point is a regular brick followed by parallelepipeds and then arbitrarily distorted elements. The advantages and deficits of various enhanced strain formulations are extensively discussed using the regular brick. For arbitrarily distorted elements a simple modification of the element-stiffness matrix is proposed to achieve a more reliable and very efficient element. On some mtmerical examples the advantages and limits of the family of enhanced strain elements and the improved elements are discussed. Copyright 0 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.