Analysis and Simulation of Slender Curved Beams

Abstract

Curved beams have a wide variety of applications that include switches, clamps, suspensions, tools and other devices. However, the existing formulas of stress and deflection calculations on beams are commonly for straight beams that undergo small linear deflections. They are not applicable to curved beams. The depth of the cross section of a slender curved beam is small compared with its radius of curvature. It usually has large deformation. The load-deflection relationship of a slender curved beam is often nonlinear. It is much more challenging to analyze the deformation of a nonlinear slender curved beam than a linear straight beam. In this paper, the stress calculation formula is presented for slender curved beams. The nonlinear deformations of slender curved beams are analyzed. The deformations and stresses of slender curved beams are simulated. The results of this paper provide a useful roadmap for analyzing and designing slender curved beams.