On two simple virtual Kirchhoff-Love plate elements for isotropic and anisotropic materials

Abstract The virtual element method allows to revisit the construction of Kirchhoff-Love elements because $$C^1$$ C 1 -continuity condition is much easier handle in VEM framework than traditional Finite Elements methodology. Here we study two most simple suitable for plates as stated Brezzi and Marini (Comput Methods Appl Mech Eng 253:455–462, 2013). formulation contains new ideas different approaches stabilisation needed a element, including classic energy stabilisations. An efficient crucial case -continuous rank deficiency stiffness matrix associated projected part ansatz function larger $$C^0$$ 0 elements. This paper aims at providing engineering inside how construct plate isotropic anisotropic materials comparing possibilities stabilisation. Different examples convergence studies discuss demonstrate accuracy resulting Finally, reduction triangular quadrilateral with 3 4 nodes, respectively, yields finite like It will be shown that these can easily incorporated legacy codes an efficiency higher provided by thin plates.