Circular Beam Finite Elements, Problems and Solutions

Abstract

While it is a fairly easy task to develop straight beam finite elements for the case of kinematic linearity, curved beam elements present much more severe problems. There are two causes for the difficulties. One has to do with the strain definitions where certain terms may not match and create internal incompatibilities in the element, see below. This effect is known as locking—a term that to my opinion is a misnomer—and should rather be called internal mismatch or something similar.