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SUMMARYIn this paper a new 3D multilayer element is presented for analysis of thick-walled laminated composites. This element uses two steps to calculate the full stress tensor. In the first step the in-plane stresses are computed from the material law using a displacement approximation, and then the transverse stresses are calculated from the 3D equilibrium equations. Since the 3D equilibrium equations require high-order interpolation functions, a hierarchic interpolation of displacements is used. The new element is compared with existing ones, e.g. from MSC.MARC.