Model reduction in thin-walled open-section composite beams using Variational Asymptotic Method. Part II: Applications

Abstract

This part of the work describes applications of a comprehensive and reliable tool for analysis of thin-walled, open-section composite beams. The developed comprehensive and reliable tool is used for analysis of commonly used cross sections (I-, C-, Z-, and star) of thin-walled open-section composite beams. Usage of VAM renders a rigorous asymptotically correct reduction of the 3-D nonlinear problem to a much simpler 1-D nonlinear problem, with closed-form solutions contributing to rapid yet accurate analysis. This computational efficiency is demonstrated through a Monte-Carlo-type stochastic analysis.