A geometrical nonlinear eccentric 3D-beam element with arbitrary cross-sections

In this paper a finite element formulation of eccentric space curved beams with arbitrary cross-sections is derived. Based on a Timoshenko beam kinematic, the strain measures are derived by exploitation of the Green-Lagrangean strain tensor. Thus, the formulation is conformed with existing nonlinear shell theories. Finite rotations are described by orthogonal transformations of the basis systems from the initial to the current configuration. Since for arbitrary cross-sections the centroid and shear center do not coincide, torsion bending coupling occurs in the linear as well as in the finite deformation case. The linearization of the boundary value formulation leads to a symmetric bilinear form for conservative loads. The resulting finite element model is characterized by 6 degrees of freedom at the nodes and therefore is fully compatible with existing shell elements. Since the reference curve lies arbitrarily to the line of centroids, the element can be used to model eccentric stiffener of shells with arbitrary cross-sections. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.