Maintain at least 3 elements through the thinnest section
To use shell elements you have to convert the geometry of your part into 2D. The best way I’ve found to do this is in space claim (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZUpyNw6XGI)
Shear Locking = Linear elements can’t capture bending and therefore it can make the body artificially stiffer. To get by this you need to use either Quadratic elements or increase the elements through the wall thickness.
Solid Shell elements will be mentioned in Thin Sweep (see below)
Linear: Think of it like approximating a curve. You can QUICKLY approximate a curve with a single straight line but it won’t be as accurate.
Quadratic: Think of it like approximating a curve. More accurate than linear in approximating a curve BUT will take more computation power
Most important metrics are Element Quality, Aspect Ratio, Skewness, and Tet Collapse