SUMMARYA general theoretical framework is presented for the fully non-linear analysis of shells by the finite element method. The governing equations are derived exclusively in terms of resulting quantities through a logical and straightforward descent from three-dimensional continuum mechanics without appealing to simplifying assumptions (hence the name genuinely resultant). As a result, the underlying theory is statically and geometrically exact, and it naturally includes small strain and finite strain problems of thin as well as thick shells. The underlying mathematical structure and the variational formulation of the theory are examined. This appears to be crucial for the development of computational procedures employing the Newton-Kantorovich linearization process and the Galerkin type discretization method. The treatment of finite rotations through an arbitrary parametrization of the rotation group and the interpolation procedure of SO(3)-valued functions underlying the construction of finite element basis are other issues studied in this paper. A numerical analysis is presented in order to assess the effectiveness of the proposed formulation. Small strain problems as well as finite strain deformation of rubber-like shells undergoing finite rotations are considered. Special attention is devoted to the assessment of the relevance of the drilling degree-of-freedom and highly non-uniform through-the-thickness deformation in the case of shells made of incompressible material.

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