where these

Element name Dimension # DOFs per node when these elements are used Lengend
elements are found
2D elements
Solid ( 2D elastic applications involving fully elastic
found in most
continuum --pl. 2D 2 (x and y translation) everywhere domains in only two spatial
commercial
stress,strain, axisymmetry) dimensions
code.
3D elements
Solid (2D elastic Applications involving fully elastic found in most
3D 3 (x,y,z translations) everywhere
continuum) domains commercial
code
Thin structural members under
3 (1 transverse deflection textbooks and
Plates/Shells 2D Canonical transvers load or moments with two
and 2 in-plane rotations) specialized code
distinct principle curvatures
6 (x, y, z translations and thin structural members with two
x,y,z rotations.Extension distinct principle curvatures, but
Plates/Shells 3D general commercial code
and torsion added to also extension and surface-normal
canonical) torsion
long-hand calculations involving
2 (1 transverse translation textbooks and structural bending problems of thin
Beams 1D canonical
and 1 rotation) specialized code members (transverse loads and
moments only)
3 (x,y translations and 1
hand calcs and commercial
rotation. Usually, textbooks and
Beams 2D general applications involving structrual
extension is added to commercial code
bending problems of thin structures
canonical behavior)
6 (x, y, z translations and
commercial applications involving
x,y,z rotations. Extension
Beams 3D general commercial code thin members subjected to bending,
and Torsion added to
extension, and torsion
canonical)

textbooks and hand calcs involving structural

Springs/bars/trusses 1D canonical 1 (axial translation)
specialized code members with extension only

2 (x and y translation. hand calcs and commercial

textbooks and
Springs/bars/trusses 2D general Same behavior as applications involving extension in
commercial code
canonical) multiple directions

3 (x ,y, z translations.
Springs/bars/trusses 3D general Same behavior as
canonical)
commercial applications involving
commercial code
extension in multiple directions