The explicit stiffness matrix of the 15-noded cubic strain triangle

Abstract

This paper presents the explicit stiffness matrix of the 15-noded cubic strain triangle, for a cross-anisotropic medium, which was evolved through the use of area coordinates. This stiffness matrix would be very useful in finite-element analysis of geomechanics problems such as collapse, vibration and consolidation because it will drastically reduce computer run-time through a faster assembly of the global stiffness matrix.

Editorial

“…The second paper, by Anyaegbunam and Ojiako (2011), presents a stiffness matrix for 15-noded cubic strain triangles based on area coordinates. Cubic strain triangles have been previously applied in finite-element models to predict foundation-bearing capacity, assuming the bed material is incompressible.…”