Comparison of three-dimensional flexible beam elements for dynamic analysis: Finite element method and absolute nodal coordinate formulation

Three formulations for a flexible spatial beam element for dynamic analysis are compared: a finite element method (FEM) formulation, an absolute nodal coordinate (ANC) formulation with a continuum mechanics approach and an ANC formulation with an elastic line concept where the shear locking of the asymmetric bending mode is suppressed by the application of the Hellinger-Reissner principle. The comparison is made by means of an eigenfrequency analysis on two stylized problems. It is shown that the ANC continuum approach yields too large torsional and flexural rigidity and that shear locking suppresses the asymmetric bending mode. The presented ANC formulation with the elastic line concept resolves most of these problems.