A kinematically exact space finite strain beam model - finite element formulation by generalized virtual work principle

The present paper presents a novel finite element formulation for static analysis of linear elastic spatial frame structures extending the formulation given by Simo and Vu-Quoc [A geometrically-exact rod model incorporating shear and torsion-warping deformation, Int. J. Solids Structures 27 (3) (1991) 371-3931, along the lines of the work on the planar beam theory presented by Saje [A variational principle for finite planar deformation of straight slender elastic beams, Internat. J. Solids and Structures 26 (1990) 887-9001. We apply exact non-linear kinematic relationships of the space finite-strain beam theory, assuming the Bernoulli hypothesis and neglecting the warping deformations of the cross-section. Finite displacements and rotations as well as finite extensional, shear, torsional and bending strains are accounted for in the formulation. A deformed configuration of the beam is described by the displacement vector of the deformed centroid axis and an orthonormal moving frame, rigidly attached to the cross-section of the beam. The position of the moving frame relative to a fixed reference frame is specified by an orthogonal matrix, parametrized by the rotational vector which rotates the moving frame from an arbitrary position into the deformed configuration in one step. Also, the incremental rotational vector is introduced, which rotates the moving frame from the configuration obtained at the previous iteration step into the current configuration of the beam. Its components relative to the fixed global coordinate system are taken to be the rotational degrees of freedom at nodal points. Because in 3-D space both the axial and the follower moments are non-conservative, not the variational principle but the principle of virtual work has been introduced as a basis for the finite element discretization. Here we have proposed the generalized form of the principle of virtual work by including exact kinematic equations by means of a procedure, similar to that of Lagrangian multipliers. This makes possible the elimination of the displacement vector field from the principle, so that the three components of the incremental rotational vector field remain the only functions to be approximated in the finite element implementation of the principle. Other researchers, on the other hand, employ the three components of the incremental rotational vector field and the three components of the incremental displacement vector field. As a result, more accurate and efficient family of beam finite elements for the non-linear analysis of space frames has been obtained. A one-field formulation results in the fact that in the present finite elements the locking never occurs. Any combination of deformation states is described equally precisely. This is in contrast with the elements developed in literature, where, in order to avoid the locking, a reduced numerical integration has to be applied, which unfortunately, diminishes the accuracy of the solution. Polynomials have been chosen for the approximation of the components of the rotational vector. In this case the order of the numerical integration can rationally be estimated and the computer program can be coded in such a way that the degree of polynomials need not be limited to a particular value. The Newton method is used for the iterative solution of the non-linear equilibrium equations. In an non-equilibrium configuration, the tangent stiffness matrix, obtained by the linearization of governing equations using the directional derivative, is non-symmetric even for conservative loadings. Only upon achieving an equilibrium state, the tangent stiffness matrix becomes symmetric. Thus, obtained tangent stiffness matrix can be symmetrized without affecting the rate of convergence of the Newton method. For non-conservative loadings, however, the tangent stiffness matrix is always non-symmetric. The numerical examples demonstrate capability of the present formulation to determine accurately the non-linear behaviour of space frames. In numerical examples the out-of-plane buckling loads are determined and the whole pre-and post-critical load-displacement paths of a cantilever and a right-angle frame are traced. These, in the analysis of space beams standard verification example problems, show excellent accuracy of the solution even when employing only one element to describe the displacements of the size of the structure itself, the rotations of 2n, and extensional strains much beyond the realistic values of linear elastic material. * Corresponding author. 0045-7825/95/$09.50