Hi
Shells can be used for thin structure (fuselage skin, hull, etc.,) and capture beniding and membrane type of stress.
So if the structure acts as a shell, you can use shell element.
In order for users of the forum to advice you would need to give some more info on the support/boundary conditions of the plate (e.g., is it fixed say along the perimeter, etc.).
Show if you can with a picture to show loads and bondary conditions.
All the best
Erik
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