A 30 degree of freedom (DOF) conforming shell element is developed for laminated composite materials. This element is 10-noded and has a triangular shape. Sander's thin shell theory is used. The element is used to perform both static and dynamic analysis on a composite cylindrical shell. Results obtained by the present element are compared with those available in the literature (exact, experimental, and numerical) for simple support and cantilever boundary conditions. These comparisons show that one can get reasonably accurate results with the present element and good convergence characteristics.