International Journal of Aerospace and Lightweight Structures

doi: 10.3850/S2010428613000615

An SBFEM Element for Thin-Walled Beams

Jonathan Daniel Junga^a and Wilfried Beckerb^b Fachgebiet Strukturmechanik, Technische Universität Darmstadt Hochschulstraβe 1, 64289 Darmstadt, Germany. ^ajung@fsm.tu-darmstadt.de ^bbecker@fsm.tu-darmstadt.de

ABSTRACT

The scaled boundary finite element method (SBFEM) is a semi-analytical method in which only the boundary is discretized. The results on the boundary are scaled into the domain with respect to a scaling center which must be “visible” from the whole boundary. For beam-like problems the scaling center can be selected at infinity and only the cross-section is discretized.

A new element for thin-walled beams has been developed on the basis of the Reissner- Mindlin plate theory. The beam sections are considered to be multilayered laminate plates with arbitrary layup. The cross-section is discretized with beam elements of Timoshenko type. This leads to a system of differential equations of a gyroscopic type, for which the solution is known.

The element has been tested and compared with a finite element model and it gives good results.

Keywords: SBFEM, Thin-walled beams, Semi-analytical, Reissner-mindlin theory.

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