Analysis of warping and distortion transmission in mixed shell–GBT (generalized beam theory) models

Abstract

Warping and distortion are relevant kinematic features of thin-walled beam structures, which have a non-trivial analysis. On this basis, this paper not only evaluates the possible kinematic transmissions involving high-order warping and distortion, but also presents a procedure to analyze structures using mixed models based on shell and Generalized Beam Theory (GBT) elements. In this mixed beam-shell structure, the traditional shell elements are applied at structural detailing points, such as joints, and GBT elements are used to model the beams/columns. Such a modeling technique uses the benefits of both elements. Shell elements can easily simulate different types of geometry conditions and details, such as stiffeners and holes; meanwhile, for the beams and columns, GBT can provide high performance, accuracy, and an easy modeling approach with clear results. The numerical formulation is based on multi-freedom constraint techniques. Special attention is given to the Master–Slave method, which is developed based on GBT kinematic assumptions. Furthermore, there is a discussion concerning the choice of the master degrees of freedom and its implications in numerical performance. An example of a thin-walled hollow circular cross section illustrates the proposed approach and is compared with fully shell element models.