Force method revisited

Restoration of the `Force Method' has been my dream since I began to study the Finite Element Method about 40 years ago. First of all, the Force Method was originally developed in structural frame analysis by the introduction of the concept of redundant forces. But it is only successful in analysis of simple frames. Furthermore in two- and three-dimensional problems concept of `redundancy' loses its meaning, and consequently development of the Force Method should be made on a different point of view. In this paper revival of the traditional `Force Method' is attempted based on the Hu-Washizu principle and using the stress function approach. Verification study is made solving the well-known in-plane bending problem of a cantilever rectangular plate due to vertical shearing force acting along the tip edge.