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K. BEN AMARA*
SUMMARY: An energy based method is used for the construction of geometrically non linear finite element.
A parabolic finite element is constructed as an example to approach continuous arches, mixed structures and
semi-circle continuous arches. These examples show the advantage of geometrically non linear elements in
terms of reducing the number of finite elements for structural analysis.
Key Words: Non linear finite element.
INTRODUCTION
The displacement method or commonly called
Finite Element method is one of the most widely used
AU=F (1)
array.
The approximation of curved beams in the finite element method is made by the Discrete Element Model
(4), where the beam is divided into a series of linear
elements (Figure 1). The accuracy of this methods
depends on the number of elements adopted, which
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where W0 is a constant.
The (n,n) matrix defined by:
1- Notations
This paragraph presents the condensed notations
used in this paper for the formulation of the force method
is a displacement array.
F X = or X = F-1
(7)
(8)
Figure 2
(13)
(14)
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(18)
matrix F.
While the compliance matrix is now defined by (5), the
matrix K is not. A way to determine this mat-rix is to use its
definition and find one by one the arrays ; by assuming
certain values of Ui. It is clear that this procedure is long.
Remarking that (14) and (7) give:
f = K t F-1 = K t X
(16)
The matrix K may be determined by writing the equilibrium equations of the beam when it is subjected to the
redundant forces X.
sion becomes:
(19)
(20)
Figure 3
M0, Q0 and V0 being the redundant forces, the internal forces in the arch are:
N(x) = Q0 cos + V0 Sin
T(X) = -Q0 Sin + V0 cos
(17)
and
(21)
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arch. This matrix is the same as for a bar (Y=0) with the
=0
Q0 + 01
=0
v0 + v1
=0
M1
= M0 + V0 L
Q1
=- Q0
V1
=-v0
(22)
This transformation of axis is helpful for the integration of the stiffness matrix of symmetric arches.
The flexibility matrix for the above arch is:
3-Application
3-a-Some comments on the flexibility matrix of a
parabolic arch
In this paragraph, the model developed above is
implemented in a finite element module (7). Some
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Theory
Classic 6
elements
Parabolic 3
elements
36.55
36.33
36.55
Moment at right
support kNm
needed.
4-Conclusion:
ments.
cost of analyses.
Acknowledgement
precious advices.
method.
Appendix.0
c-Mixed structure
Symbols
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x: x coordinate.
Y(x): The representative function of the arch.
Appendix.1
Parabolic arch:
Figure A.1.1
Table A.1
Method
Theory
Number of elements
Element
Model
Displacement
4.26
4.26
0.001
2.8
3.63
3.96
Accuracy %
100
100
2.3
65
85
92
-0.26
-0.26
-0.21
-0.24
-0.26
100
100
80
92
99
Rotation
Accuracy %
Appendix.2
Figure A.2.1
Continuous arch
Theory
We consider the two span continuous arch defined
by the Figure A.2.1 and subjected to a couple at the
right end M=100kNm
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Span length = 60 m
Cross section area = 0.08 m2
Moment of Inertia = 0.001 m4
uated to 0.388 m.
Table A2.1
Theory
Arch Model
Number of elements
M 104 kNm
Model
1.66
1.66
-2.5
0.71
1.25
1.42
100
100
42
75
85
0.416
0.416
0.427
0.425
0.423
100
100
97
98
98.5
-0.388
-0.333
-0.263
-0.310
-0.326
100
86
67
79
84
Accuracy %
Displacement m
Element
Accuracy %
Q 104 N
Discrete
Accuracy %
Appendix.3
Semi-circular arch
Radius R =100mm
Cross section area =200mm 2.
Moment of Inertia =1660mm4
Theory
We consider the semi-circle arch defined by the
Figure A.3.1 and subjected to a horizontal force
F=4000N
Number of
Elements
Figure A.3.1
Journal of Islamic Academy of Sciences 10:3, 85-92-1997
Classic (DEM)
0%
71%
93%
96%
91%
Arch Element
80%
95%
89%
88%
91%
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Correspondence:
K. Ben Amara
Faculty of Technology,
University of Qatar,
Po. box 2713,
Doha, QATAR.