Finite element formulation for shear deformable thin-walled beams

Abstract

Starting with the principle of stationary potential energy, this paper develops the governing differential equations of equilibrium and boundary conditions for shear deformable thin-walled beams with open cross-section. Unlike conventional solutions, the formulation is based on a non-orthogonal coordinate system, in which the selected origin is generally offset from the section centroid. The exact solution of the resulting coupled differential equations of equilibrium is derived and used to develop exact shape functions. A finite element based on the exact shape functions is then formulated. Through a series of examples, the adoption of non-orthogonal coordinates is shown to enable the seamless modelling of structural members with eccentric boundary conditions and (or) stepwise cross-sectional variations.