Local stiffness matrices for the semi-analytical finite strip method in case of various boundary conditions

Abstract

In this paper the elastic and geometric stiffness matrices of the semi-analytical finite strip method (FSM) are discussed. The stiffness matrices are derived in various options. New derivations are presented for different longitudinal base functions, which corresponds to column/beam member with general boundary conditions. Numerical studies are performed to verify the new stiffness matrices as well as to illustrate the effect of the various options. It is shown that inconsistency is existing in the current implementations of FSM, which inconsistency has negligible effect in most of the practical cases, but might have non-negligible effect in certain specific cases.