A finite element formulation for shell of arbitrary geometry

he finite element formulation of a general curved shell element based on Mindlin-Reissner's theory is presented. Only C0-continuity is required for the interpolation functions. The element is obtained by defining two radii of curvature whose ratio to the element characteristic dimension may be up to one (so also allowing the study of structures having large curvature, i.e. deep shells) and by using a three-dimensional curvilinear coordinate system to which the shell's behaviour may be referred. Three classical shell-like structures' formulations are derived as particular cases to that presented in this paper, so demonstrating its validity and generality.