View source for Constant strain triangle element

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In [[numerical mathematics]], the '''constant strain triangle element''', also known as the '''CST element''' or '''T3 element''', is a type of element used in [[finite element analysis]] which is used to provide an approximate solution in a 2D domain to the exact solution of a given [[differential equation]].

The name of this element reflects how the [[partial derivative]]s of this element's shape function are [[linear function]]s.  When applied to [[plane stress]] and [[plane strain]] problems, this means that the approximate solution obtained for the stress and strain fields are constant throughout the element's domain.

The element provides an approximation for the exact solution of a partial differential equation which is parametrized [[barycentric coordinate system (mathematics)]]

[[Category:FEM elements]]


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