Geometrically Non-Linear Analysis for Shallow Arch using the 3-Dimensional Curved Beam

This paper presents a geometrically non-linear formulation for the general curved beam element based on assumed strain fields and Timoshenko's beam theory. This general curved beam element is formulated from constant strain fields. And this element, designed in a local curvilinear coordinate system, is transformed into a global cartesian system in order to analyze effectively the general curved beam structures located arbitrarly in space. Numerical examples are presented to show the accuracy and efficiency of the present formulation. The results obtained from the present formulation are compared with those available in the literature and analysis by ANSYS.