Next: Three-node shell element (S3) Up: Element Types Previous: Six-node wedge element (C3D6 Contents

### Fifteen-node wedge element (C3D15)

The C3D15 element is a general purpose wedge element (9 integration points). The shape functions can be found in [1]. The node numbering follows the convention of Figure 57.

Figure 57: 15-node wedge element

The element behaves very well and is a good general purpose element, although the C3D20R element yields still better results for the same number of degrees of freedom. The wedge element is often used as fill element in ``automatic'' hexahedral meshers.