Numerical Model for a Geometrically Nonlinear Analysis of Beams with Composite Cross-Sections

This paper presents a beam model for a geometrically nonlinear stability analysis of the composite beam-type structures. Each wall of the cross-section can be modeled with a different material. The nonlinear incremental procedure is based on an updated Lagrangian formulation where in each increment, the equilibrium equations are derived from the virtual work principle. The beam model accounts for the restrained warping and large rotation effects by including the nonlinear displacement field of the composite cross-section. First-order shear deformation theories for torsion and bending are included in the model through Timoshenko’s bending theory and a modified Vlasov’s torsion theory. The shear deformation coupling effects are included in the model using the six shear correction factors. The accuracy and reliability of the proposed numerical model are verified through a comparison of the shear-rigid and shear-deformable beam models in buckling problems. The obtained results indicated the importance of including the shear deformation effects at shorter beams and columns in which the difference that occurs is more than 10 percent.