A simple model is defined: left side fixed, right side fixed displacement.
We should get a uniform stress field, as shown in below Figure with uniform mesh:
The problem is that red nodes on the T-junction are not connected as continuous solid, shown below (magnified displacement X):
This causes a Von Mises stress deviation of approx. +10%/−18%:
Potential solution 1:
RBE2 elements, they reduce this deviation to approx. +3.7%/−10%.
Potential solution 2:
Thanks to Greg Harte's answer to an earlier forum question, RSpline elements were tested as well. They give the best result so far at +2%/−10% percent.
The question:
A 10% deviation still feels large to me. Is this really the best way to do it? Or is there an even better solution (aside from using a triangle/trapezoid) transition mesh? Model is attached.
