A simple cubic linear element for static and free vibration analyses of curved beams

The effect of shear deformation on deflection and shear deformation together with rotatory inertia on natural and cross over frequencies of curved beams are obtained using a simple cubic linear beam element having 4 degrees of freedom per node viz u, w, ? and ?. Studies are carried out on beams with all classical boundary conditions. From the results obtained for static and free vibration problems with different curvatures and slenderness ratios, it is seen that this element is suitable to analyse any curved beam problem. Numerical results obtained without including the effect of shear deformation and rotatory inertia are made use of to quantify their effect on the static and free vibration behaviour of curved beams. ? 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.