Transverse impact problems by higher order beam finite element

A higher order beam finite element is derived and shown to be very efficient in solving the transient dynamic problem. The finite element thus developed is then applied to impact problems concerning the response of beams to striking elastic masses. Due to the local indentation the motion of the beam is nonlinearly coupled with the motion of the mass. An efficient iterative procedure is proposed in this paper to integrate the time variable. Both elastic impact and impact with permanent indentations are considered. The finite element solutions are found in good agreement with some existing solutions.