• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.39-53
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• 2012

This paper presents an alternative way to derive the exact element stiffness matrix for a beam on Winkler foundation and the fixed-end force vector due to a linearly distributed load. The element flexibility matrix is derived first and forms the core of the exact element stiffness matrix. The governing differential compatibility of the problem is derived using the virtual force principle and solved to obtain the exact moment interpolation functions. The matrix virtual force equation is employed to obtain the exact element flexibility matrix using the exact moment interpolation functions. The so-called "natural" element stiffness matrix is obtained by inverting the exact element flexibility matrix. Two numerical examples are used to verify the accuracy and the efficiency of the natural beam element on Winkler foundation.

• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
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• 2006.04a
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• pp.589-596
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• 2006

An improved numerical method to obtain the exact element stiffness matrix is newly proposed to perform the spatially coupled elastic and stability analyses of non-symmetric thin-walled beam-columns with two-types of elastic foundation. This method overcomes drawbacks of the previous method to evaluate the exact stiffness matrix for the spatially coupled stability analysis of thin-walled beam-column. This numerical technique is firstly accomplished via a generalized eigenproblem associated with 14 displacement parameters by transforming equilibrium equations to a set of first order simultaneous ordinary differential equations. Then exact displacement functions are constructed by combining eigensolutions and polynomial solutions corresponding to non-zero and zero eigenvalues, respectively. Consequently an exact stiffness matrix is evaluated by applying the member force-deformation relationships to these displacement functions.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.259-276
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• 1999

An analytical solution for the shape functions of a beam segment supported on a generalized two-parameter elastic foundation is derived. The solution is general, and is not restricted to a particular range of magnitudes of the foundation parameters. The exact shape functions can be utilized to derive exact analytic expressions for the coefficients of the element stiffness matrix, work equivalent nodal forces for arbitrary transverse loads and coefficients of the consistent mass and geometrical stiffness matrices. As illustration, each distinct coefficient of the element stiffness matrix is compared with its conventional counterpart for a beam segment supported by no foundation at all for the entire range of foundation parameters.

• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
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• 2001.10a
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• pp.345-352
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• 2001

Derivation procedures of exact static element stiffness matrix of shear deformable thin-walled straight beams are rigorously presented for the spatial buckling analysis. An exact static element stiffness matrix is established from governing equations for a uniform beam element with nonsymmetric thin-walled cross section. First this numerical technique is accomplished via a generalized linear eigenvalue problem by introducing 14 displacement parameters and a system of linear algebraic equations with complex matrices. Thus, the displacement functions of dispalcement parameters are exactly derived and finally exact stiffness matrices are determined using member force-displacement relationships. The buckling loads are evaluated and compared with analytic solutions or results of the analysis using ABAQUS' shell elements for the thin-walled straight beam structure in order to demonstrate the validity of this study.

• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
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• 2001.10a
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• pp.435-442
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• 2001

Derivation procedures of exact dynamic element stiffness matrix of shear deformable nonsymmetric thin-walled straight beams are rigorously presented for the spatial free vibration analysis. An exact dynamic element stiffness matrix is established from governing equations for a uniform beam element with nonsymmetric thin-walled cross section. First this numerical technique is accomplished via a generalized linear eigenvalue problem by introducing 14 displacement parameters and a system of linear algebraic equations with complex matrices. Thus, the displacement functions of dispalcement parameters are exactly derived and finally exact stiffness matrices are determined using member force-displacement relationships. The natural frequencies are evaluated and compared with analytic solutions or results of the analysis using ABAQUS' shell elements for the thin-walled straight beam structure in order to demonstrate the validity of this study.

• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
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• 2002.04a
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• pp.385-392
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• 2002

Derivation procedures of exact elastic element stiffness matrix of thin-walled curved beams are rigorously presented for the static analysis. An exact elastic element stiffness matrix is established from governing equations for a uniform curved beam element with nonsymmetric thin-walled cross section. First this numerical technique is accomplished via a generalized linear eigenvalue problem by introducing 14 displacement parameters and a system of linear algebraic equations with complex matrices. Thus, the displacement functions of displacement parameters are exactly derived and finally exact stiffness matrices are determined using member force-displacement relationships. The displacement and normal stress of the section are evaluated and compared with thin-walled straight and curved beam element or results of the analysis using shell elements for the thin-walled curved beam structure in order to demonstrate the validity of this study.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.73-96
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• 2005

For the spatially coupled free vibration analysis of shear deformable thin-walled non-symmetric curved beam subjected to initial axial force, an exact dynamic element stiffness matrix of curved beam is evaluated. Firstly equations of motion and force-deformation relations are rigorously derived from the total potential energy for a curved beam element. Next a system of linear algebraic equations are constructed by introducing 14 displacement parameters and transforming the second order simultaneous differential equations into the first order simultaneous differential equations. And then explicit expressions for displacement parameters are numerically evaluated via eigensolutions and the exact $14{\times}14$ dynamic element stiffness matrix is determined using force-deformation relations. To demonstrate the accuracy and the reliability of this study, the spatially coupled natural frequencies of shear deformable thin-walled non-symmetric curved beams subjected to initial axial forces are evaluated and compared with analytical and FE solutions using isoparametric and Hermitian curved beam elements and results by ABAQUS's shell elements.

• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
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• 2000.10a
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• pp.369-376
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• 2000

For the general loading condition and boundary condition, it is very difficult to obtain closed-form solutions for buckling loads and natural frequencies of thin-walled structures because its behaviour is very complex due to the coupling effect of bending and torsional behaviour. Consequently most of previous finite element formulations introduced approximate displacement fields using shape functions as Hermitian polynomials, isoparametric interpoation function, and so on. The purpose of this study is to calculate the exact displacement field of a thin-walled straight beam element with the non-symmetric cross section and present a consistent derivation of the exact dynamic stiffness matrix. An exact dynamic element stiffness matrix is established from Vlasov's coupled differential equations for a uniform beam element of non-symmetric thin-walled cross section. This numerical technique is accomplished via a generalized linear eigenvalue problem by introducing 14 displacement parameters and a system of linear algebraic equations with complex matrices. The natural frequencies are evaluated for the non-symmetric thin-walled straight beam structure, and the results are compared with available solutions in order to verify validity and accuracy of the proposed procedures.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.195-210
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• 2011

Bernoulli-Euler beam theory is used to develop an exact dynamic stiffness matrix for the flexural-torsional coupled motion of a three-dimensional, axially loaded, thin-walled beam of doubly asymmetric cross-section. This is achieved through solution of the differential equations governing the motion of the beam including warping stiffness. The uniform distribution of mass in the member is also accounted for exactly, thus necessitating the solution of a transcendental eigenvalue problem. This is accomplished using the Wittrick-Williams algorithm. Finally, examples are given to confirm the accuracy of the theory presented, together with an assessment of the effects of axial load and loading eccentricity.

• Proceedings of the KSR Conference
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• 2004.10a
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• pp.906-915
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• 2004

Derivation procedures of exact dynamic stiffness matrices of thin-walled curved beams subjected to axial forces are rigorously presented for the spatial free vibration analysis. An exact dynamic stiffness matrix is established from governing equations for a uniform curved beam element with nonsymmetric thin-walled cross section. Firstly this numerical technique is accomplished via a generalized linear eigenvalue problem by introducing 14 displacement parameters and a system of linear algebraic equations with complex matrices. Thus, displacement functions of dispalcement parameters are exactly derived and finally exact stiffness matrices are determined using clement force-displacement relationships. The natural frequencies of the nonsymmetric thin-walled curved beam are evaluated and compared with analytical solutions or results by ABAQUS's shell elements in order to demonstrate the validity of this study.