Previous Issues

ABSTRACT

This paper studies the elastic and inelastic behavior of non-prismatic members subjected to combined eccentric axial and transverse forces. The inelastic material behavior of the member is taken into account using a bi-elastic constitutive relationship of the stress and strains. This is to simulate the elastic and inelastic analysis as well as elastic perfect plastic analysis. This is necessary to carry the model on various materials including metals, concrete and composites. Based on the curvature-deflection relationship, a finite difference technique is implemented to simulate the deflected shape of non-prismatic members. An analytical computer model for the sectional equilibrium of the member is developed. Exact solutions for six cases of strain in the pure elastic, elastic-plastic, and pure plastic modes in both tension and compression are considered. The model relates beam curvature to deflection by analyzing strain distribution at sections of the member for a giver bending moment and axial force. The presented model provides a solution for any non-prismatic beams, but the focus of this investigation is on tapered beams only. Numerical examples are presented and validated against elastic solutions. 

Keywords: Axial and transverse loading; beam-column; computer model; elastic and inelastic, finite difference; non-prismatic.