The paper describes the application of a degenerated isoparametric shell element to large displacement analysis problems including instability phenomena. Total Lagrangian formulation has been adopted in this study using standard incremental and iterative solution procedure. The linear stability analyses usually performed for the initial position can be repeated at several advanced fundamental states on the nonlinear prebuckling path. Thus a current estimate of the final failure load is given. The main solution strategies in nonlinear shell analyses are Newton-Raphson iteration method with incremental load. The numerical examples of a cylindrical panel under uniform load, simply supported plate under axial load, and clamped plate under uniform load are carried out. The examples applying degenerated isoparametric elements to bifurcation buckling and nonlinear collapse problems are also performed.
