In this paper a continuum based 3D-shell element for the nonlinear analysis of laminated shell structures is derived. The basis of the present finite element formulation is the standard 8-node brick element with tri-linear shape functions. Especially for thin structures under certain loading cases the displacement based element is too stiff and tends to lock. Therefore we use assumed natural strain and enhanced assumed strain methods to improve the relative poor element behaviour. The anisotropic material behaviour of layered shells is modeled using a linear elastic orthotropic material law in each layer. Furthermore, a physical noulinear material law for finite strain J2-plasticity is implemented. It is based on a multiplicative split of the deformation gradient in an elastic and plastic part. Preserving the special interpolations of shear and thickness strains of the Green-Lagrangean strain tensor, a Lagrangean formulation of the flow rule and the elastoplastic tangent modul is introduced. Linear and nonlinear examples show the applicability and effectivity of the element formulation.

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