A high precision element with a central circular hole

An eight!node rectangular membrane element with a central circular hole has been developed using complex potentials to de_ne stress and strain functions[ This new element type can be combined with the conventional elements\ e[g[\ isoparametric elements\ with no modi_cations required[ Two numerical examples were employed to illustrate the superiority and versatility of the proposed element type[ The results obtained using the said element type are closer to the theoretical results as compared with those obtained by similar types of elements[