Abstract

Paper deals with finite element buckling analysis of shear deformable beam-type structures. Displacements and rotations are allowed to be large but strains are assumed to be small. The corresponding equilibrium equations are formulated in the framework of co- rotational description, using the virtual work principle. Displacements and rotations are allowed to be large while strains are assumed to be small. Linear shape functions are used for the axial displacement, while cubic shape functions are employed for transverse displacements and angle of twist. The algorithm is validated on test examples.