The Nonlinear Behavior of Elastic Slender Straight Beams Undergoing Small Strains and Moderate Rotations

Abstract

The nonlinear behavior of slender and initially straight beams is investigated. A set of equilibrium equations for a beam undergoing moderate rotations and small strains is derived. The derivation includes several assumptions which are clearly stated and explained. These equations are used to investigate the deformations of a cantilevered beam which is loaded by a concentrated transverse load at the free end. The numerical results are in very good agreement with the experimental results.