An axisymmetric nodal averaged finite element

Abstract A nodal averaging technique which was earlier used for plane strain and three-dimensional problems is extended to include the axisymmetric one. Based on the virtual work principle, an expression for nodal force is found. In turn, a nodal force variation yields a stiffness matrix that proves to be non-symmetrical. But, cumbersome non-symmetrical terms can be rejected without the loss of Newton-Raphson iterations convergence. An approximate formula of volume for a ring of triangular profile is exploited in order to simplify program codes and also to accelerate calculations. The propose...