Static performance was compared for the triangular plate elements through some numerical experiments. Four Kirchhoff elements and six Mindlin elements were selected for the comparison. Numerical tests were executed for the problems of rectangular plates with regular and distorted meshes, rhombic plates, circular plates and cantilever plates. Among the Kirchhoff 9 DOF elements, the discrete Kirchhoff theory element was the best. Element distortion and the aspect ratio were shown to have negligible effects on the displacement behaviour. The Specht's element resulted in better results than the Bergan's but it was sensitive to the aspect ratio. The element based on the hybrid stress method also resulted in good results but it assumed to be less reliable. Among the linear Mindlin elements, the discrete shear triangle was the best in view of reliability, accuracy and convergence. Since the thin plate behaviour of it was as good as the DKT element, it can be used effectively in the finite element code regardless of the thickness. As a quadratic Mindlin element, the MITC7 element resulted in best results in almost all cases considered. The results were at least as good as those of doubly refined meshes of linear elements.

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