Implementation of a non-conforming finite element in abaqus for dynamic thin plate analyses

This study presents the successful implementation of the renowned nonconforming finite element, ACM, characterized by three essential external degrees of freedom at each of the four corner nodes, into the commercial finite element software ABAQUS. where it had not been previously implemented.This achievement was accomplished using the UEL (User Element) subroutine, with the primary objective of analyzing the free vibration behavior of isotropic thin plates, including those with and without openings. To validate the efficiency of this implementation, some case studies are presented, demonstrating its robustness in practical applications.The choice of implementing the ACM element in ABAQUS is justified by the software’s extensive capabilities, which enhance its ability to handle complex structural dynamics problems. Despite ABAQUS’s built-in shell elements offering more degrees of freedom per node, the ACM element outperforms them in terms of accuracy and computational efficiency in vibration analysis. This result highlights the ACM element's superior ability to model thin plate structures with fewer computational resources, providing a valuable alternative for structural engineers. Moreover, this implementation demonstrates the significant potential for advancing the analysis of free vibrations in plate structures, paving the way for more refined and accurate modeling techniques.