We present a 3 node triangular shell element with only three translational degrees of freedom per node, in which the out of plane displacement is the only d.o.f. considered for bending. The bending stiffness matrix of the element is derived by assuming constant curvature normal to the boundary with adjacent elements. The method is illustrated for a plate element and then for a triangular shell element. Results are presented for a variety of linear and non-linear problems to illustrate its accuracy compared with three other well-known triangular shell elements we have also implemented.NOTATIONB Gradient matrixC Matrix of mid-side rotations--normal deflectionsD Matrix of elastic constantsF External load vectorh k Height of triangle opposite node kH Matrix of normal strains--mid-side rotationsK b Bending stiffness matrixQ Internal force vectorR Matrix of x, y strain components--normal strainsU Displacement vectorw k Normal deflection node kα k Mid-side out of plane rotation opposite node kδ o k Initial or previous discontinuity angle n k Mid-side normal strain opposite node kθ k Mid-side rotation of normal opposite node kσ Plane-stress vector