A linear theory for bending stress-strain analysis of a beam with an edge crack

In this paper, a new linear theory for bending stress-strain analysis of a cracked beam has been developed. A displacement field has been suggested for the beam strain and stress calculations. The bending differential equation for the beam has been written using equilibrium equations. The required constant for this model is also obtained from fracture mechanics. The bending equation has been solved for a simply supported beam with rectangular cross-section and the results are compared with finite element and empirical results. There is an excellent agreement between theoretical results and those obtained by numerical and empirical methods. The model developed in this research is a simple and precise approximation of the behavior of the cracked beams in bending.     

reduction of equilibrium,compatibility and flexibility matrices,in the force method

This paper develops analytical expressions and numerical for reducing the structural matrices which are used in the Force Method of structural analysis. Two simple examples illustrate the calculations for pin-jointed trusses. Two advanced applications, a beam cross consisting of two coplanar beams which are linked by a shear connector, and an equilibrium linear-stress finite element, are also presented.     

Finite element methods for the analysis of softening plastic hinges in beams and frames

This paper presents new finite element methods for the analysis of localized failures in plastic beams and frames in the form of plastic hinges. The hinges are modeled as discontinuities of the generalized displacements of the underlying Timoshenko beam/rod theory. Hinges accounting for a discontinuity in the transversal and longitudinal displacements and the rotation field are developed in this context. A multi-scale framework is considered in the incorporation of the dissipative effects of these discontinuities in the large-scale problem of a beam and a general frame. A localized softening cohesive law relating these generalized displacements with the stress resultants acting at the level of the cross section is effectively introduced in the frame response. The resulting models, referred to as localized models, are then able to capture the localized dissipation observed in the localized failures of these structural members, avoiding altogether the inconsistencies observed for classical models in the stress resultants with strain softening. The constructive approach followed in the development of these models leads naturally to the formulation of enhanced strain finite elements for their numerical approximation. In this context, we develop new finite elements incorporating the singular strains associated to the plastic hinges at the element level. A careful analysis is presented so the resulting finite elements avoid the phenomenon of stress locking, that is, an overstiff response in the softening of the hinge, not allowing for the full release of the stress. The accurate approximation of the kinematics of the hinges requires a strain enhancement linking the jumps in the deflection and the rotation fields, given the coupled definition of the transverse shear strain in these two fields. Different enhanced strain elements, involving different base finite elements and different enhancement strategies, are considered and analyzed in detail. Their performance are then compared in several representative numerical simulations. These analyses identify optimally enhanced finite elements for the accurate modeling the localized failures observed in common framed structures.Financial support for this research has been provided by the ONR under grant no. N00014-00-1-0306 with UC Berkeley. This support is gratefully acknowledged.     

An accurate laminated element for piezoelectric smart beams including peel stress

This paper presents a laminated element for piezoelectric (PZT) smart beams in taking into account peel stresses. In the finite element analysis (FEA) formulation, a coupled electrical and mechanical beam element is used to model PZT patches, and a conventional structural element is used to model a host beam. A continuous adhesive element with shear and peel stiffness is derived to form a PZT laminated element. For a smart beam with a partially bonded PZT patch or distributed PZTs, the laminated element is applied to an area of the host beam with PZTs and the conventional element is used in the host beam where no PZT is bonded. A novel PZT laminated element is firstly derived based on the Timoshenko beam theory, in which the FEA formulation based on the Euler-Bernoulli beam theory can be considered as its special case. FEA numerical results of static and dynamic analyses based on the Euler-Bernoulli beam theory are compared with the exact static and dynamic solutions to validate the present FEA formulation. The present FEA framework based on the Timoshenko beam theory is then used to investigate the effects of PZT debondings on static behaviors and dynamic responses, and an original and effective procedure for detecting debondings in PZT actuators or sensors is proposed.The authors are grateful to the support of the Australian Research Council through a Large Grant Scheme (Grant No. A10009074).     

Formulation of reference surface element and its applications in dynamic analysis of delaminated composite beams

This paper presents a new finite element formulation, referred to as reference surface element (RSE) model, for numerical prediction of dynamic behaviour of delaminated composite beams and plates using the finite element method. The RSE formulation can be readily incorporated into all elements based on the Timoshenko beam theory and the Reissner–Mindlin plate theory taking into account the transverse shear deformations. The ‘free model' and ‘constrained model' for dynamic analysis of delaminated composite beams and/or plates have been unified in this RSE formulation. The RSE formulation has been applied to an existing 2-node Timoshenko beam element taking into account the transverse shear deformations and the bending–extension coupling. Frequencies and vibration mode shapes are determined through solving an eigenvalue problem. Numerical results show that the present RSE model is reliable and practical when used to predict frequencies and mode shapes of delaminated composite beams. The RSE formulation has also been used to investigate the effects of the number, size and interfacial loci of delaminations on frequencies and mode shapes of composite beams.     

An intrinsic beam model based on a helicoidal approximation—Part II: Linearization and finite element implementation

The helicoidal beam model developed in the first part of this work is applied here to the development of a mixed finite element for space-curved and twisted beams undergoing large displacements and finite rotations. Starting from the governing weak form expressed by the principle of virtual work, a consistent linearization is obtained in the following and a novel updated Lagrangian finite element implementation is thoroughly discussed. The unique features and the distinguishing properties previously claimed for the helicoidal model are shown here to imply remarkable numerical consequences. For this purpose, meaningful example problems regarding the non-linear static response of beams are addressed in the following and the results are compared with those available from the literature. Furthermore, a finite element in time for the rigid body dynamic problem is developed within the framework of the helicoidal geometry. The underlying philosophy of this novel finite element for dynamics is the realization of the helicoidal decomposition of the rigid body motion within a time step.     

Contribution to the understanding of the mechanical behaviour of CFRP-strengthened RC beams subjected to fire: Experimental and numerical assessment

Recent experimental tests and numerical simulations about the fire resistance behaviour of CFRP-strengthened RC beams proved that CFRP strengthening systems are able to attain considerable fire endurance, provided that adequate fire protection systems are used. In a fire event, even though a CFRP laminate may rapidly debond from the central part of the beam in which it is installed, if sufficiently thick insulation is applied in the anchorage zones, the laminate transforms into a “cable” fixed at the extremities, thus maintaining a considerable contribution to the mechanical response of the strengthened beam. This paper presents experimental and numerical investigations on CFRP-strengthened RC beams with the objective of understanding in further depth their fire resistance behaviour, namely the influence of the above mentioned “cable” mechanism on the mechanical response of the beams. The experimental campaign, performed at ambient temperature, comprised 4-point bending tests on RC beams strengthened with CFRP laminates according to either the EBR or the NSM techniques, in both cases fully or partially (only at the anchorages, thus simulating the cable mechanism) bonded to the soffit of the beams. For the test conditions used in this study, for both types of strengthening systems, partially bonding the CFRP laminates did not affect the stiffness of the beams and caused only a slight reduction of their strength (6–15%). The numerical study comprised the simulation of the structural response of all beams tested. Non-linear finite element models were developed in Atena commercial package, in which a smeared cracked model was adopted to simulate concrete and appropriate bond-slip constitutive relations were defined for the CFRP-concrete interfaces. A very good agreement was obtained between experimental data and numerical results, providing further validation to the “cable” mechanism and the possibility of taking it into account when designing fire protection systems for CFRP-strengthened RC beams.     

Finite element of slender beams in finite transformations: a geometrically exact approach

This article is devoted to the modelling of thin beams undergoing finite deformations essentially due to bending and torsion and to their numerical resolution by the finite element method. The solution proposed here differs from the approaches usually implemented to treat thin beams, as it can be qualified as ‘geometrically exact’. Two numerical models are proposed. The first one is a non‐linear Euler–Bernoulli model while the second one is a non‐linear Rayleigh model. The finite element method is tested on several numerical examples in statics and dynamics, and validated through comparison with analytical solutions, experimental observations and the geometrically exact approach of the Reissner beam theory initiated by Simo. The numerical result shows that this approach is a good alternative to the modelling of non‐linear beams, especially in statics. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Non-linear pre-buckling behavior of shear deformable thin-walled composite beams with open cross-section

A kinematic model is presented for thin-walled composite beams able to account for axial force, bending, torsion and warping. Shear deformations on the mid-surface are considered and modeled by means of a polynomial approximation. For this scope appropriate shape functions on the curvilinear abscissa along the cross-section mid-line are introduced.Small strains and moderate rotations are considered over the pre-buckling range.The model allows to predict the static non-linear behavior and the critical loads of composite pultruded beams.A finite element approximation is derived from a variational approach. Some numerical results are also presented revealing the importance of the shear terms on the mechanical response and their effect on the stability of pultruded composite members.     

A Cosserat point element (CPE) for the numerical solution of transient large planar motions of elastic–plastic and elastic–viscoplastic beams

The objective of this paper is to develop constitutive equations of a Cosserat point element (CPE) for the numerical solution of transient large planar motions of elastic–plastic and elastic–viscoplastic beams with rigid cross-sections. Specifically, attention is limited to response of a material with constant yield strength. A yield function is proposed which couples the inelastic responses of tension and shear. Another yield function is proposed for bending which depends on a hardening variable that models motion of the elastic–plastic boundary in the beam’s cross-section. Evolution equations are proposed for elastic strains and the hardening variable and an overstress-type formulation is used for elastic–viscoplastic response. In contrast, with standard finite element approaches the CPE model needs no integration through the element region. Also, an implicit scheme is developed to integrate the evolution equations without iteration. Examples of transient large motions of beams, which are impulsively loaded, indicate that the CPE produces reasonably accurate response relative results in the literature and full three-dimensional calculations using ABAQUS.     

A conforming unified finite element formulation for the vibration of thick beams and frames

Beams and frames are common features in many engineering structures and in this paper an approach is given to model their dynamic behaviour adequately. Whilst the eigen‐frequencies of continuous systems comprising of slender beams can be identified, in most cases of practical interest, by means of Euler or Timoshenko beam theory, for structures comprising of thick beam models this is not necessarily true since such idealizations constrain the cross‐sections to remain planar. This paper suggests an alternative approach by means of a unified fully conforming plane stress rectangular finite element which is believed to allow for more realistic representation of the shear effects and hence the strain field around the joints of such structures. The usefulness and functionality of this improved numerical approach is explored via comparison against a non‐conforming two‐dimensional plate as well as one‐dimensional Euler–Bernoulli and Timoshenko finite element formulations corresponding to a variety of beam aspect ratios representing the structures of a rotor and a portal frame. The idealization is shown to be particularly advantageous for simulating the effects of shear distortion where beams join at right angles and the transverse forces in one member interact with the extensional forces of the adjoining structure. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Three-dimensional solid-to-beam transition elements for structural dynamics analysis

Complex structural components such as those encountered in many industrial applications may generally be considered as being composed of shell- or beam-like portions linked to three-dimensional solid continua. When discretized into finite elements, these structures present geometrical and mathematical difficulties at the connections between the different element types since the nodal degrees of freedom allocated to the solid, shell and beam elements are incompatible with each other. The development of specific and reliable transition finite elements is, thus, of outstanding practical importance. This paper presents efficient C⁰ compatible transition elements with a variable number of nodes for modelling solid to beam junctions. Based upon the standard isoparametric solid and beam formulations, the current approach includes the properties of both solids and beams, verifies the basic continuity, smoothness and completeness criteria inherent in the finite element convergence requirements, and avoids the shear locking phenomenon typical of C⁰ elements by using a strain-projection method. Several numerical examples which compare this formulation to analytical and experimental solutions are provided in order to show the applicability and efficiency of this approach.     

Constrained torsional analysis of multi-cell composite tapered beams

The structural performance of multi-cell composite tapered beams when subjected to constrained torsional loading is examined in this paper. A simplified analytical procedure for determining the constrained torsional response of a specific class of multi-cell composite tapered beams is outlined in some detail. The constrained condition analyzed is that of the cantilevered multi-cell beam with torque applied at the free end of the beam. In order to avoid the elastic couplings in the beams between bending, torsion and axial effects, laminates are symmetrically layed-up about their own mid-planes in such a manner that they possess in-plane orthotropy. The analysis approach essentially makes use of the existing theories of torsion appropriate to isotropic constructions, which are suitably modified to account for the non-isotropic nature of composite material. The details of the finite element analysis are also included in the paper. The comparisons between the theory and finite element results are shown to give close agreement.     

功能梯度梁静力与动力分析的格林函数法

功能梯度梁静动态响应的数值分析方法一般局限于有限元法,存在有限元法的固有缺点,有必要发展新的数值求解方法。将功能梯度梁静力分析的控制微分方程转化为与匀质材料梁静力分析控制微分方程相一致的形式,并利用匀质材料梁静力问题的格林函数,开展功能梯度梁的静力分析。在此基础上,进一步推导获得功能梯度梁的柔度矩阵,据此建立功能梯度梁的运动方程,开展功能梯度梁的动力特性分析和动力响应分析。数值算例表明,采用格林函数法可以高效准确地分析功能梯度梁的静力响应与动力行为,验证了方法的计算精度与效率。     

粘贴钢板加固钢筋混凝土梁的分离式有限元模型

提出了外粘钢板加固受弯钢筋混凝土梁的非线性有限元模型。该模型中采用了一种特殊的、具有剥离破坏功能的界面单元来模拟混凝土梁和外粘钢板之间的粘结层,这种剥离破坏主要发生在粘贴钢板端部区域和弯曲、剪切裂缝附近。影响这种剥离破坏的主要因素有两个:一是粘贴钢板的端部与加固梁支座距离;二是粘贴钢板的厚度。传统的梁理论不能描述这种加固梁破坏模式,采用有限元方法能全方位地描述这种加固梁的各种性状和破坏模式。数值计算结果与粘贴不同厚度钢板加固梁的试验结果相吻合。     

Geometrically nonlinear composite beam structures: design sensitivity analysis

The purpose of this paper is to develop a finite element model for optimal design of composite laminated thin-walled beam structures, with geometrically nonlinear behavior, including post-critical behavior. A continuation paper will be presented with design optimization applications of this model. The structural deformation is described by an updated Lagrangean formulation. The structural response is determined by a displacement controlled continuation method. A two-node Hermitean beam element is used. The beams are made from an assembly of flat-layered laminated composite panels. Beam cross-section mass and stiffness property matrices are presented.

Design sensitivities are imbedded into the finite element modeling and assembled in order to perform the structural design sensitivity analysis. The adjoint structure method is used. The lamina orientation and the laminate thickness are selected as the design variables. Displacement, failure index, critical load and natural frequency are considered as performance measures. The critical load constraint calculated as the limit point of the nonlinear response is also considered, but a new method is proposed, replacing it by a displacement constraint.     

In-plane and out-of-plane dynamics and buckling of functionally graded circular curved beams

In this paper the dynamic and buckling features of slender structures with curved axis are addressed. A survey on the literature concerning mechanics of beams constructed with non-homogeneous materials or with functionally graded materials reveals only a few papers devoted to the dynamics and buckling of curved beams constructed with such materials. This problem was tackled mainly through 2D or 3D numerical formulations, but comprehensive beam theories on the matter are scarce. In the present paper a model of non-homogeneous and/or FGM curved beams is developed. The model is deduced by adopting a consistent displacement field which incorporates second order rotational terms based on the semi-tangential rule. The model also incorporates the shear flexibility due to bending and warping due to twisting effects. Arbitrary initial stresses and initial off-axis loads are taken into account in the linearized principle of virtual works. The finite element method is employed to discretize the motion equations with the objective to solve problems of dynamics, statics and buckling. The model contains, as particular cases, several straight beam theories as well as curved beam theories. Some comparisons with the available experimental data of the open literature are performed in order to illustrate the predictive features of the model, and comparisons with 2D and 3D finite element approaches are also performed.     

Optimal gains for active vibration control by the beam analogy

A numerical approach to determine optimal gains for active optimal vibration control of continuous structures by the finite element method is presented. The approach uses an analogy between the optimality equations for control in the time domain and the governing equations for a set of static beams in the spatial domain. The finite element model of control is generated and analyzed in a fictitious spatial domain. The results are then transferred to the time domain to describe the optimal dynamic response of the system. The analogy (referred to as the beam analogy) allows for an efficient application of the finite element method to solve two-point-boundary-value problems for the finite time control cases. Here it is applied to the infinite time control cases. An algorithm for a direct calculation of optimal gains for closed loop control of time-invariant problems without using Riccatis equation is discussed in detail.     

Generalized Timoshenko modelling of composite beam structures: sensitivity analysis and optimal design

This article describes a new approach to design the cross-section layer orientations of composite laminated beam structures. The beams are modelled with realistic cross-sectional geometry and material properties instead of a simplified model. The VABS (the variational asymptotic beam section analysis) methodology is used to compute the cross-sectional model for a generalized Timoshenko model, which was embedded in the finite element solver FEAP. Optimal design is performed with respect to the layers’ orientation. The design sensitivity analysis is analytically formulated and implemented. The direct differentiation method is used to evaluate the response sensitivities with respect to the design variables. Thus, the design sensitivities of the Timoshenko stiffness computed by VABS methodology are imbedded into the modified VABS program and linked to the beam finite element solver. The modified method of feasible directions and sequential quadratic programming algorithms are used to seek the optimal continuous solution of a set of numerical examples. The buckling load associated with the twist–bend instability of cantilever composite beams, which may have several cross-section geometries, is improved in the optimization procedure.