Accuracy of four‐node standard finite element

Abstract In this note the accuracy of the elastic standard 4‐node plane‐strain finite element is investigated by comparing numerically calculated eigenvalues of the element stiffness matrix to those according to higher‐order algebraic approximations. From this study it may be concluded that the ‘hourglass’ eigenmodes are the only inaccurate ones. For selective reduced numerical integration the hourglass eigenvalues may be expected to be of the order of 1/2 to 2/3 of the analytical values.