Smoothing Technique Based Beta FEM (βFEM) for Static and Free Vibration Analyses of Reissner–Mindlin Plates

Recently, the edge-based and node-based smoothed finite element method (ES-FEM and NS-FEM) has been proposed for Reissner–Mindlin plate problems. In this work, in order to utilize the numerical advantages of both ES-FEM and NS-FEM for static and vibration analysis, a hybrid smoothing technique based beta FEM ([Formula: see text]FEM) is presented for Reissner–Mindlin plate problems. A tunable parameter [Formula: see text] is introduced to tune the proportion of smoothing domains calculated by ES-FEM or NS-FEM, which controlled the accuracy of the results. Numerical illustrations in both static and free vibration analysis are conducted. The shear locking free property, converge property and dynamic stability are carefully examined via several well-known benchmark examples. Moreover, an experimental test is carefully designed and conducted for validations, in which the mode values and shape of a rectangular steel plate is tested. Numerical examples demonstrate the advantages of [Formula: see text]FEM, in comparison with the standard FEM, ES-FEM and NS-FEM using the same meshes. The numerical and experimental results are in good agreement with each other and the [Formula: see text]FEM achieves the best accuracy among all the methods for the static or free vibration analysis of plates.