A curved shell finite element for the geometrically non-linear analysis of box-girder beams curved in plan
A four-noded curved shell finite element for the geometrically non-linear analysis of beams curved in plan is introduced. The structure is conceived as a sequence of macro-elements (ME) having the form of transversal segments of identical topology where each slice is formed using a number of the curved shell elements which have 7 degrees of freedom (DOF) per node. A curved box-girder beam example is modelled using various meshes and linear analysis results are compared to the solutions of a well-known computer program SAP2000. Linear and non-linear analyses of the beam under increasing uniformly distributed loads are also carried out. In addition to box-girder beams, the proposed element can also be used in modelling open-section beams with curved or straight axes and circular plates under radial compression. Buckling loads of a circular plate example are obtained for coarse and successively refined meshes and results are compared with each other. The advantage of this element is that curved systems can be realistically modelled and satisfactory results can be obtained even by using coarse meshes.
Experimental Study on Steel Beams Curved in Plan
This paper is concerned with the ultimate load behavior of I-beams curved in plan. Results obtained from experiments on two sets of I-beams (one comprising rolled sections and the other built-up sections) are presented. The test results for deformations and ultimate strength are found to be in good agreement with the corresponding values predicted by using the elastoplastic finite-element analysis. The effects of residual stresses and radius of curvature to span-length ratio ( R /L) on ultimate strength are considered. Each beam was subjected to a concentrated load applied at an intermediate point where the beam was laterally restrained. Test results indicate that the load-carrying capacity decreases with the decrease in the R /L ratio.
A geometrically non-linear theory for laminated anisotropic thin-walled beams
Abstract A non-linear theory of composite thin-walled beams accounting for finite displacements and arbitrarily large twist angles is presented. The theory is valid for beams of arbitrary open and closed cross-sections and accounts for various non-classical effects like anistropy, transverse shear deformation and constrained warping. The present non-linear formulation enables one to study the static and dynamic stability of beams composed of composite materials systematically with due consideration of all non-classical influences. It is shown that certain other technologically important studies can also be carried out using this theory.