MRESS Solid-Shell Element
A high-performance MRESS 3D solid-shell finite element API fine-tuned for plate and shell analysis.
Designed for automation, solver integration, and custom FEA workflows.
Developed in C++ for Linux and Windows operating systems.
Key Capabilities:
Stiffness, geometric stiffness, strains and stresses, and internal force computation
Supports linear and nonlinear analysis pipelines
Suitable for custom solvers, optimization, and research tools
Includes different techniques to alleviate/remove Poisson's locking, volumetric locking, transverse shear locking and membrane locking
Enhanced Assumed Strain formulation for improved bending behavior
Hourglass stabilization
Perfect for thin-walled plate/shell analysis blended with 3D constitutive laws
Fit for contact analysis
Suitable for sheet metal forming simulations
Full 3D constitutive laws
Can be used with a wide range of materials, including composite materials


Get to know the MRESS Solid-Shell Element Class
Description of the element's Class; Constructors and Public Methods.
Mesh Convergence Results
Twisted Strip Benchmark: A rigorous convergence test with mesh refinement, comparing Abaqus C3D8 and C3D8i elements with the MRESS API and the Hexa8 API.
Designed to push the limits of element performance under extreme warping, transverse shear, and bending loads.
The MRESS solid-shell API achieves significantly faster convergence compared to Abaqus C3D8 and C3D8I elements as well as the Hexa8 API element. It clearly shows the effect of the EAS on improving MRESS API behaviour under bending.
Explore the gallery for an in-depth analysis of the mesh convergence results.










Pinched Cylinder Benchmark: A renowned test for validating elements in thin-walled structures under bending and transverse shear.
The MRESS solid-shell API achieves significantly faster convergence compared to Abaqus C3D8 and C3D8i elements.
Explore the gallery for an in-depth analysis of the results.










Check gallery below for the MRESS-API post-processed results on our GUI








Check gallery below for an Aircraft wing (Skin + C-Spar) with a tip loading example fully modeled with the MRESS-API














Results generated using the Shell MRESS API integrated into a custom solver.
Results generated using the Shell MRESS API integrated into a custom solver.
Constituents of the API package
Stiffness Matrix
Stiffness matrix for the MRESS solid-shell element. Required for linear and nonlinear analysis.
Geometric Stiffness Matrix
Geometric (Initial Stresses) Stiffness matrix for the MRESS element. It is required for nonlinear analysis with implicit time integration scheme.
Internal Forces
Internal Force Vector for the MRESS solid-shell element. Critical for nonlinear analysis with implicit time integration schemes.
Strain Tensor
Calculates the deformation tensor at the Gauss Points (GP) of the MRESS solid-shell element.
Rotation of local axes at the Gauss Points. Important for nonlinear co-rotational analysis, e.g. rotation of planar plastic anisotropic axes, rotation of composites ply axes at the GPs.
Axes Rotation at the GPs
API Subscription
Full Support. Seamless Integration. Free Updates.
When you subscribe to our APIs, you’re not just getting cutting-edge tools - you’re gaining a dedicated partner committed to your success. Subscription includes:
Comprehensive Documentation – Easy-to-follow, regularly updated, and project-focused.
Personalized Training (Premium)– Get up to speed quickly with tailored guidance.
Direct Expert Support (Standard & Premium) – One-on-one help to solve issues fast and effectively.
Guaranteed Compatibility – We’ll work with you to ensure the APIs run smoothly on your system.
Free Updates (Standard & Premium) – All improvements and new features are yours at no extra cost for the duration of your subscription.
Your workflow matters. We’ll make sure everything runs reliably, so you can focus on results - not troubleshooting.
We offer three Tiers - Basic, Standard, Premium - with different features each.
Multi-License Discounts
We offer increasing discounts for additional licenses purchased under the same subscription.
Discount formula:
D % = (1 – 1 / √N) × 100
Examples:
• 1 additional license → ~29%
• 2 additional licenses → ~42%
• 3+ additional licenses → 50% (maximum)
Request Additional Licenses
For additional subscriptions, please complete the form below and specify the number of extra licenses required.
We will apply the appropriate discount and send a payment link by email.
License & Activation
Each subscription is licensed to a single machine using a unique Machine ID.
This ensures reliable activation, predictable performance, and clear compliance for both individual users and organizations.
How it works
One subscription = one Machine ID
The license is node-locked to the machine where the API is installed
No online activation or background services are required after setup
Licenses are valid for the full duration of the subscription period
System compatibility
We actively support you during setup to ensure the API runs smoothly and reliably on your system.
If you encounter environment-specific issues (compiler, OS, hardware, or toolchain), our team will work with you to resolve them.
Hardware changes
If you need to migrate your license due to hardware replacement or system upgrades, simply contact us.
We will reissue the license for the new Machine ID in line with fair-use and subscription terms.
Multi-license environments
For teams or organizations requiring multiple installations:
Each machine requires its own subscription
Discounted pricing is available for additional licenses purchased together
See the Multi-License Discounts section below for details
Our licensing approach is designed to be robust, transparent, and hassle-free, so you can focus on engineering results—not license management.
Implementation Success Guarantee
We stand behind the reliability and usability of our APIs.
If you make a genuine effort to integrate the API and are unable to achieve a working setup, we offer a win-your-money-back guarantee under the conditions below.
How the guarantee works
If, within 30 days of purchase:
You actively attempt to integrate the API into your workflow
You follow the provided documentation
You engage with our support team to resolve issues
You provide honest technical feedback describing your experience and any blocking issues
And the API still cannot be made to function correctly on your system
Then we will refund 100% of your subscription fee.
What qualifies as a valid attempt
To ensure fairness for both sides, a valid attempt includes:
Installation and build on a supported platform
Reasonable troubleshooting steps
At least one documented support interaction
A brief description of the blocking issue
Feedback & review requirement
As part of the guarantee process, we ask that you:
Submit a brief written review or technical summary of your experience
The feedback may be positive, neutral, or critical
Reviews may be used internally for product improvement and, with your consent, publicly as testimonials
The purpose of this requirement is to ensure continuous improvement and transparency - not to influence the content of your review.
Scope and limitations
Applies to first-time subscriptions only
One Machine ID per subscription
Does not apply to misuse, unsupported environments, or intentional violation of license terms
Refunds are processed after verification of the integration attempt
Our goal is simple:
Either the API works for you — or you don’t pay.
If we can’t get it running, you don’t pay — and we’ll tell you why.
Terms & Conditions for Academic Software License
1-year: £99.9
3-years: £199.9
Academic/Individual Subscription
Standard
Simulations from the input file and from the GUI
API Class
Linear Elastic template in C++
Integration with the GUI for Linear Elastic Analysis
GUI post-processing for Linear Elastic Analysis
API Documentation & Installation
API Support
Free API updates
Basic
Simulations from the input file
API Class
Linear Elastic template in C++
API Documentation & Installation
1-year: £75.0
3-years: £175.0
Premium
Simulations from the input file and from the GUI
API Class
Linear Elastic template in C++
GUI included for pre- and post-processing
Integration with the GUI for:
Linear Elastic Analysis
Buckling Analysis
Composite Materials
the Arc-Length method
Implicit Non-Linear Analysis
Multi-Point Constraints (MPC)
Documentation & Installation
API and GUI Support
Free Training
Free API and GUI updates
1-year: £199.9
3-years: £399.9
Request API Access
To activate your Shell MITC4 API license, please complete the form below.
After submission, our team will:
Generate a machine-specific license
Provide installation instructions
Assist with initial setup if required
Acceptance of the Terms & Conditions is required for license activation.
Terms & Conditions for Industry Software License
Small Business subscription
(revenue less or equal than $1,000,000.0 USD/year)
1-year: £199.9
3-years: £399.9
1-year: £349.9
3-years: £699.9
Business Subscription
Standard
Simulations from the input file and from the GUI
API Class
Linear Elastic template in C++
Integration with the GUI for Linear Elastic Analysis
GUI post-processing for Linear Elastic Analysis
API Documentation & Installation
API Support
Free API updates
Premium
Simulations from the input file and from the GUI
API Class
Linear Elastic template in C++
GUI included for pre- and post-processing
Integration with the GUI for:
Linear Elastic Analysis
Buckling Analysis
Composite Materials
the Arc-Length method
Implicit Non-Linear Analysis
Multi-Point Constraints (MPC)
Documentation & Installation
API and GUI Support
Free Training
Free API and GUI updates
1-year: £250.0
3-years: £499.9
Large Business subscription
(revenue greater than $1,000,000.0 USD/year)
1-year: £450.0
3-years: £875.0
Request API Access
To activate your Shell MITC4 API license, please complete the form below.
After submission, our team will:
Generate a machine-specific license
Provide installation instructions
Assist with initial setup if required
Acceptance of the Terms & Conditions is required for license activation.
Standard
Simulations from the input file and from the GUI
API Class
Linear Elastic template in C++
Integration with the GUI for Linear Elastic Analysis
GUI post-processing for Linear Elastic Analysis
API Documentation & Installation
API Support
Free API updates
Premium
Simulations from the input file and from the GUI
API Class
Linear Elastic template in C++
GUI included for pre- and post-processing
Integration with the GUI for:
Linear Elastic Analysis
Buckling Analysis
Composite Materials
the Arc-Length method
Implicit Non-Linear Analysis
Multi-Point Constraints (MPC)
Documentation & Installation
API and GUI Support
Free Training
Free API and GUI updates
This API is developed and validated as part of MECHINMOTION's finite element research and engineering tools.
Get in touch
Technical Support: support@mechinmotion.com
Sales: sales@mechinmotion.com