Solid vs. shell element in ABAQUS

[hrtuwair]

Dear All,

I modeled a sandwich panel in ABAQUS. The pane thickness is 4.15 inch and the facing's thickness is 0.09 in. I modeled the core and facings using solid elements (C3DR) and results were in good agreement with experimental results.
However, I am wondering is there a good arrgument to support my assumption that solid elements can be used to model the facing instead of using shell elements. I know that solid elements would require longer time to run as lots of elements are needed to maintain the aspect ratio in 3D direction. But since the work is already done and don't want to redo it to my client, your input would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[corus]

It's always useful to verify your model by using another approach if there's a question mark over the assumptions used in your analysis. Verification by comparing to experimental results is often the best way but it does happen that the agreement with experimental results is purely coincidental where you've used more than one assumption. In these cases the Homer Simpson theory that 'two wrongs do make a right' is proved. If you have doubts about using shell elements then use a simple model of similar geometry to your main model that compares results between solid and shell elements to show that the difference in results is negligible.