GEOMETRICALLY NONLINEAR FINITE ELEMENT MODEL OF SPATIAL THIN-WALLED BEAMS WITH GENERAL OPEN CROSS SECTION

Based on the theory of Timoshenko and thin-walled beams, a new finite element model of spatial thin-walled beams with general open cross sections is presented in the paper, in which several factors are included such as lateral shear deformation, warp generated by nonuni- form torsion and second-order shear stress, coupling of flexure and torsion, and large displacement with small strain. With an additional internal node in the element, the element stiffness matrix is deduced by incremental virtual work in updated Lagrangian （UL） formulation. Numerical examples demonstrate that the presented model well describes the geometrically nonlinear property of spatial thin-walled beams.

Modeling and Free Vibration Behavior of Rotating Composite Thin-walled Closed-section Beams with SMA Fibers

Smart structure with active materials embedded in a rotating composite thin-walled beam is a class of typical structure which is using in study of vibration control of helicopter blades and wind turbine blades. The dynamic behavior investigation of these structures has significance in theory and practice. However, so far dynamic study on the above-mentioned structures is limited only the rotating composite beams with piezoelectric actuation. The free vibration of the rotating composite thin-walled beams with shape memory alloy（SMA） fiber actuation is studied. SMA fiber actuators are embedded into the walls of the composite beam. The equations of motion are derived based on Hamilton＇s principle and the asymptotically correct constitutive relation of single-cell cross-section accounting for SMA fiber actuation. The partial differential equations of motion are reduced to the ordinary differential equations of motion by using the Galerkin＇s method. The formulation for free vibration analysis includes anisotropy, pitch and precone angle, centrifugal force and SMA actuation effect. Numerical results of natural frequency are obtained for two configuration composite beams. It is shown that natural frequencies of the composite thin-walled beam decrease as SMA fiber volume and initial strain increase and the decrease in natural frequency becomes more significant as SMA fiber volume increases. The actuation performance of SMA fibers is found to be closely related to the rotational speeds and ply-angle. In addition, the effect of the pitch angle appears to be more significant for the lower-bending mode ones. Finally, in all cases, the precone angle appears to have marginal effect on free vibration frequencies. The developed model can be capable of describing natural vibration behaviors of rotating composite thin-walled beam with active SMA fiber actuation. The present work extends the previous analysis done for modeling passive rotating composite thin-walled beam.

Nonlinear Free Vibration Analysis of Thin-walled Curved Beam with Non-symmetric Open Cross Section

A finite element formulation was presented for the nonlinear free vibration of thin-walled curved beams with non-symmetric open across section. The kinetic and potential energies were derived by the virtual principle. The energy function includes the effect of fiexural-torsional coupling, the torsion warping and the shear centre location. For finite element analysis, cubic polynomials were utilized as the shape functions of the two nodal thin-walled curved elements. Each node possesses seven degrees freedom including the warping degree of freedom. The nonlinear eigenvalue problem was solved by the direct iteration technique. The results are compared with those for straight beams as available in the literature. The results for nonlinear free vibration analysis of curved beams for various radii and subtended angle are presented.

A new finite element of spatial thin-walled beams

Based on the theories of Timoshenko＇s beams and Vlasov＇s thin-walled members, a new spatial thin-walled beam element with an interior node is developed. By independently interpolating bending angles and warp, factors such as transverse shear deformation, torsional shear deformation and their Coupling, coupling of flexure and torsion, and second shear stress are considered. According to the generalized variational theory of Hellinger-Reissner, the element stiffness matrix is derived. Examples show that the developed model is accurate and can be applied in the finite element analysis of thinwalled structures.

Elastic buckling analysis and optimization of thin-walled bamboo-like pipe beam subjected to pure bending

In this paper,a stiffening design imitating the bamboo node is proposed for weight reduction of the long composite pipe beam subjected to bending load.The distribution of bamboo nodes can efficiently suppress the ovalization of the section,thus significantly improving the bending resistance of the bamboo.Based on this principle,ring stiffeners are proposed to be fixed to the pipe beam,making the long beam equivalent to the combination of a series of short pipes that suffered less section ovalization.A database of the optimal laminate orientations for different normalized lengths is obtained through optimizations,where the discreteness of the ply count is considered.Based on this database,weight optimizations are conducted,and the optimal designs of beams with and without stiffeners are obtained and compared.The comparison results show that the proposed bamboo-like stiffened beam not only regains a near-linear load–displacement relationship,but also reduces the weight by up to 16%under the same buckling load.In addition,it is found that for the pipe beams with radius-to-thickness ratios of more than 18,increasing the radius leads to a decrease in elastic buckling resistance when the weight remains a constant,which is opposite to the design for strength and stiffness.The model and database developed in this paper can provide a reference for weight reduction design and weight estimation for composite pipe beams.

A nonlinear explicit dynamic GBT formulation for modeling impact response of thin-walled steel members

A nonlinear explicit dynamic finite element formulation based on the generalized beam theory(GBT)is proposed and developed to simulate the dynamic responses of prismatic thin-walled steel members under transverse impulsive loads.Considering the rate strengthening and thermal softening effects on member impact behavior,a modified Cowper-Symonds model for constructional steels is utilized.The element displacement field is built upon the superposition of GBT cross-section deformation modes,so arbitrary deformations such as cross-section distortions,local buckling and warping shear can all be involved by the proposed model.The amplitude function of each cross-section deformation mode is approximated by the cubic non-uniform B-spline basis functions.The Kirchhoff s thin-plate assumption is utilized in the construction of the bending related displacements.The Green-Lagrange strain tensor and the second Piola-Kirchhoff(PK2)stress tensor are employed to measure deformations and stresses at any material point,where stresses are assumed to be in plane-stress state.In order to verify the effectiveness of the proposed GBT model,three numerical cases involving impulsive loading of the thin-walled parts are given.The GBT results are compared with those of the Ls-Dyna shell finite element.It is shown that the proposed model and the shell finite element analysis has equivalent accuracy in displacement and stress.Moreover,the proposed model is much more computationally efficient and structurally clearer than the shell finite elements.

Application of stiffness matrix of a beam element considering section distortion effect

According to the stationary principle of potential energy and the generalized coordinate method, a stiffness matrix of a beam element considering distortion effects is derived. Using the stiffness matrix of the beam element, a finite element program for computing thin-walled box steel beams is developed. And the program can take the section distortion and warping effects into account. The influences of diaphragm spacing on the mechanical behavior of thin-walled box beams are analyzed by the program. The numerical analysis shows that setting diaphragms have the greatest influence on the distortion normal stress, while there is very little influence on the bending normal stress. Only when the distance of adjacent diaphragms decreases to a certain value, will the distortion normal stress in the thin-walled box beam obviously reduce under the distortion load. Finally, a distortion-warping coefficient γ is introduced for simplifying the calculation of the longitudinal normal stress of thin-walled box beams. When the ratio of diaphragms adjacent space L to the maximum section dimension H is less than 2, the distortion-warping coefficient γ tends to one, which means that the distortion normal stress of the thin-walled box beam tends to zero, and the effect of the section distortion can be ignored.

Analysis of wave propagation in micro/nanobeam-like structures: A size-dependent model

By incorporating the strain gradient elasticity into the classical Bernoulli-Euler beam and Timoshenko beam models, the size-dependent characteristics of wave propaga- tion in micro/nanobeams is studied. The formulations of dis- persion relation are explicitly derived for both strain gradi- ent beam models, and presented for different material length scale parameters （MLSPs）. For both phenomenological size- dependent beam models, the angular frequency, phase veloc- ity and group velocity increase with increasing wave num- ber. However, the velocity ratios approach different values for different beam models, indicating an interesting behavior of the asymptotic velocity ratio. The present theory is also compared with the nonlocal continuum beam models.

Finite difference modeling of sinking stage curved beam based on revised Vlasov equations

For the static analysis of the sinking stage curved beam, a finite difference model was presented based on the proposed revised Vlasov equations. First, revised Vlasov equations for thin-walled curved beams with closed sections were deduced considering the shear strain on the mid-surface of the cross-section. Then, the finite difference formulation of revised Vlasov equations was implemented with the parabolic interpolation based on Taylor series. At last, the finite difference model was built by substituting geometry and boundary conditions of the sinking stage curved beam into the finite difference formulation. The validity of present work is confirmed by the published literature and ANSYS simulation results. It can be concluded that revised Vlasov equations are more accurate than the original one in the analysis of thin-walled beams with closed sections, and that present finite difference model is applicable in the evaluation of the sinking stage curved beam.

A new beam element for analyzing geometrical and physical nonlinearity

Based on Timoshenko＇s beam theory and Vlasov＇s thin-walled member theory, a new model of spatial thin-walled beam element is developed for analyzing geometrical and physical nonlinearity, which incorporates an interior node and independent interpolations of bending angles and warp and takes diversified factors into consideration, such as traverse shear deformation, torsional shear deformation and their coupling, coupling of flexure and torsion, and the second shear stress. The geometrical nonlinear strain is formulated in updated Lagarange （UL） and the corresponding stiffness matrix is derived. The perfectly plastic model is used to account for physical nonlinearity, and the yield rule of von Mises and incremental relationship of Prandtle-Reuss are adopted. Elastoplastic stiffness matrix is obtained by numerical integration based on the finite segment method, and a finite element program is compiled. Numerical examples manifest that the proposed model is accurate and feasible in the analysis of thin-walled structures.

Shear deformable finite beam elements for composite box beams

The shear deformable thin-walled composite beams with closed cross-sections have been developed for coupled flexural, torsional, and buckling analyses. A theoretical model applicable to the thin-walled laminated composite box beams is presented by taking into account all the structural couplings coming from the material anisotropy and the shear deformation effects. The current composite beam includes the transverse shear and the restrained warping induced shear deformation by using the first-order shear deformation beam theory. Seven governing equations are derived for the coupled axial-flexural-torsional-shearing buckling based on the principle of minimum total potential energy. Based on the present analytical model, three different types of finite composite beam elements, namely, linear, quadratic and cubic elements are developed to analyze the flexural, torsional, and buckling problems. In order to demonstrate the accuracy and superiority of the beam theory and the finite beam elements developed by this study,numerical solutions are presented and compared with the results obtained by other researchers and the detailed threedimensional analysis results using the shell elements of ABAQUS. Especially, the influences of the modulus ratio and the simplified assumptions in stress-strain relations on the deflection, twisting angle, and critical buckling loads of composite box beams are investigated.

Feasibility of developing composite action between concrete and cold-formed steel beam

Cold-formed steel structures are steel structure products constructed from sheets or coils using cold rolling, press brake or bending brake method. These structures are extensively employed in building construction industry due to their light mass, ductility by economic cold forming operations, favorable strength-to-mass ratio and other factors. The utilization of cold formed steel sections with concrete as composite can hugely reduce the construction cost. However, the use of cold formed steel members in composite concrete beams has been very limited. A comprehensive review of developments in composite beam with cold formed steel sections was introduced. It was revealed that employing cold-formed steel channel section to replace reinforcement bars in conventional reinforced concrete beam results in a significant cost reduction without reducing strength capacity. The use of composite beam consisting of cold-formed steel open or close box and filled concrete could also reduce construction cost. Lighter composite girder for bridges with cold-formed steel of U section was introduced. Moreover, types of shear connectors to provide composite action between cold-formed steel beam and concrete slab were presented. However, further studies to investigate the effects of metal decking on the behavior of composite beam with cold-formed steel section and introduction of ductile shear connectors were recommended.

FE Dynamic Analysis Using Moving Support Element on Multi-Span Beams Subjected to Support Motions

In the present study, finite element dynamic analysis or time history analysis of two-span beams subjected to asynchronous multi-support motions is carried out by using the moving support finite element. The elemental equation of the element is based on total displacements and is derived under the concept of the quasi-static displacement decomposition. The use of moving support element shows that the element is very simple and convenient to represent continuous beam moving, deforming and vibrating simultaneously due to support motions. The comparison between the numerical results and analytical solutions indicates that the FE result agrees with the analytical solution.

Analytic solution for size-dependent behaviors of micro-beam under forced vibration

This paper focuses on the size-dependently mechanical behaviors of a micro-beam under forced vibration.Governing equations of a micro-beam under forced vibration are established by using the modified couple stress theory,Bernoulli-Euler beam theory and D’Alembert’s principle together.A simply supported micro-beam under forced vibration is solved according to the established governing equations and the method of separation of variables.The dimensionless deflection,amplitude mode and period mode are defined to investigate the size-dependently mechanical behaviors of a micro-beam under forced vibration.Results show that the performance of a micro-beams under forced vibration is distinctly size-dependent when the ratio of micro-beam height to material length-scale parameter is small enough.Both frequency ratio and loading location are the important factors that determine the sizedependent performance of a micro-beams under forced vibration.

Restrained torsion of open thin-walled beams including shear deformation effects

A first-order torsion theory based on Vlasov theory has been developed to investigate the restrained torsion of open thin-walled beams. The total rotation of the cross section is divided into a free warping rotation and a restrained shear rotation. In first-order torsion theory, St. Venant torque is only related to the free warping rotation and the expression of St. Venant torque is derived by using a semi-inverse method. The relationship between the warping torque and the restrained shear rotation is established by using an energy method. The torsion shear coefficient is then obtained. On the basis of the torsion equilibrium, the governing differential equation of the restrained torsion is derived and the corresponding initial method is given to solve the equation. The relationship between total rotation and flee warping rotation is obtained. A parameter λ, which is associated with the stiffness property of a cross section and the beam length, is introduced to determine the condition, under which the St. Venant constant is negligible. Consequently a simplified theory is derived. Numerical examples are illustrated to validate the current approach and the results of the current theory are compared with those of some other available methods. The results of comparison show that the current theory provides more accurate results, In the example of a channel-shaped cantilever beam, the applicability of the simplified theory is determined by the parameter study of λ.

A geometrical and physical nonlinear finite element model for spatial thin-walled beams with arbitrary section

Based on the theories of Bernoulli-Euler beams and Vlasov's thin-walled members,a new geometrical and physical nonlinear beam element model is developed by applying an interior node in the element and independent interpolations on bending angles and warp,in which factors such as traverse shear deformation,torsional shear deformation and their coupling,coupling of flexure and torsion,and second shear stress are all considered.Thereafter,geometrical nonlinear strain in total Lagarange(TL) and the corresponding stiffness matrix are formulated.Ideal plastic model is applied to physical nonlinearity to comply with the yield rule of Von Mises and incremental relationship of Prandtle-Reuss.Elastoplastic stiffness matrix is derived by numerical integration on the basis of the finite segment method.Examples show that the developed model is feasible in analysis of thin-walled structures with high accuracy.

Unveiling the Mechanism Behind the Asymmetric Bending Compliance of Thin-Walled U-Shaped Strips:A Study Inspired by Plant Leaves

Inspired by the shape of some plant leaves,we find that the thin-walled U-shaped strips exhibit different compliances under bending with opposite orientations.The asymmetric bending compliance is attributed to the buckling of sidewalls of strips caused by the bending-induced compression.Integrating the Euler-Bernoulli beam theory with the Kirchhoff-Love thin plate theory,a theoretical model is derived for the in-depth understanding of the sidewall buckling.For pure bending,the critical moment applied to the strip for the sidewall buckling is found to be insensitive to the height,width and length of strip,which is the result of the compromise between the opposite geometric effects on the buckling behavior of sidewalls and the characteristics of cross sections.Then the critical moment can be approximated as a linear function of flexural rigidity DEt^(3)/12(1-ν^(2)),where t is the wall thickness of strip,E is Young’s modulus,and v is Poisson’s ratio.These predictions by our model agree well with the results obtained by finite element analysis.We also investigate the buckling behavior of sidewalls for bending under transverse loads,considering the loading conditions of concentrated force and distributed force.Our study unveils the mechanism behind the asymmetric bending compliance of thin-walled U-shaped strips.These results would offer convenient guidance for the promising engineering applications related to this structure,such as the design of soft robots with enhanced locomotion performance.

Vibration and flutter of wind turbine blade modeled as anisotropic thin-walled closed-section beam

Based on a variational asymptotic analytical model, vibration and aeroelastic stability of rotor blades modeled as anisotropic thin-walled closed-section beams are systematically addressed. The analysis is applied to a laminated composite construction of the circumferentially asymmetric stiffness (CAS) that produces bending-twist coupling. The vibration characteristics of composite beam are determined by the Extended Galerkin Method. The unsteady aerodynamic loads and centrifugal force are integrated with the classical aerodynamic model to deal with aeroelastic stability analysis. The influence of some related factors, ply angle, rotating velocity, and wind speed, is investigated. The paper gives methods of eigenvalue analysis and aeroelastic response, and gives the approaches to restrain classical flutter.

Microstructure-dependent Band Gaps for Elastic Wave Propagation in a Periodic Microbeam Structure

A new model for producing band gaps for flexural elastic wave propagation in a periodic microbeam structure is developed using an extended transfer matrix method and a non-classical Bernoulli–Euler beam model that incorporates the strain gradient,couple stress and velocity gradient effects.The band gaps predicted by the new model depend on the three microstructure-dependent material parameters of each constituent material,the beam thickness,the unit cell length and the volume fraction.A parametric study is conducted to quantitatively illustrate these factors.The numerical results reveal that the first band gap frequency range increases with the increases of the three microstructure-dependent material parameters,respectively.In addition,the band gap size predicted by the current model is always larger than that predicted by the classical model,and the difference is large for very thin beams.Furthermore,both the unit cell length and volume fraction have significant effects on the band gap.