Some Aspects of Coupling Structural Models and p-Version Finite Element Methods

This paper addresses some questions arising from an integration of coupling structural models and p-version finite element methods. After a brief introduction to the p-version for Reissner-Mindlin plate problems we will consider the modelling of loads or elastic foundations acting only on parts of elements. Furthermore we will address the question of a posteriori control of the accuracy of the approximation being important for reliable computations. The last part of the paper compares the computational efficiency of the p-version to low order approximations. Finally, it will be motivated why the use of the p-version is expected to be superior in parallel efficiency compared to standard h-version codes.