A simple finite element for beams on elastic foundations |
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Authors: | S Tanvir Wasti Ender Senkaya |
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Affiliation: | Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey;Turkish Armed Forces. |
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Abstract: | A simple "routine" beam on elastic foundation finite element using a polynomial displacement function has been developed which yields acceptably accurate deflection, shear and bending moment values for prismatic or non-prismatic beams of elastic material resting on foundations with varying or nonlinear subgrade reactions. Limited extension of the formulation to an "exact" finite element using the exact displacement function of a beam on elastic foundation has also been carried out. The subgrade is represented by a non-homogeneous solid medium to include nonlinear parameters if required. The iterative solution is extended to cases where the beam may uplift because the foundation is a no tension material. The model is also suitable for calculating the elastic deflections, membrane. and bending stress resultants for axisymmetrically loaded variable thickness shells of revolution. A computer program called FEBEF finite element: beam on elastic foundation] incorporating the routine finite element has been prepared for the solution of beams on elastic foundations and axi symmetrically loaded shells of revolution. |
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Keywords: | Finite element beam elastic foundation shells of revolution computer analysis |
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