Analysis of 3D frame problems by DQEM using EDQ

The differential quadrature element method (DQEM) and extended differential quadrature (EDQ) have been proposed by the author. The development of a differential quadrature element analysis model of three-dimensional shear-undeformable frame problems adopting the EDQ is carried out. The element can be a nonprismatic beam. The EDQ technique is used to discretize the element-based governing differential equations, the transition conditions at joints and the boundary conditions on domain boundaries. An overall algebraic system can be obtained by assembling all of the discretized equations. A numerically rigorous solution can be obtained by solving the overall algebraic system. Mathematical formulations for the EDQ-based DQEM frame analysis are carried out. By using this DQEM model, accurate results of frame problems can efficiently be obtained. Numerical results demonstrate this DQEM model. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.