Geometrically nonlinear analysis of elastic framed structures

Abstract

The development of a method for the elastic nonlinear analysis of framed structures is presented. It is capable of providing solutions up to and including any existing limit point. The effects of both member and structure deformations are accounted for. The solution strategy proposed rests on a judicious combination of the well-known Newton-Raphson iterative scheme and a novel modification of the arc-length method within a finite element based partially updated Lagrangian description. The proposed variation of the arc-length technique enables a solution at the limit point to be calculated. Very accurate results can be obtained as demonstrated by three examples, all solved using the computer program developed.