A C1 beam element based on overhauser interpolation

Abstract

A new C1 element is proposed to model Euler-Bernoulli beams in one and two-dimensional problems. The proposed formulation assures C1 continuity requirement without the use of rotational degrees of freedom, used in traditional elements, through the use of an Overhauser interpolation scheme for bending displacements. The principle of virtual displacements is used to determine the equilibrium equations and boundary conditions for one and two-dimensional Euler-Bernoulli beams. The Overhauser interpolation is introduced and the new bending interpolation functions are defined. Finally, beam and frame problems are solved with the new formulation and the results are compared to the traditional Euler-Bernoulli element and exact solutions.