Strain and stress analysis of a curved tapered beam model

Abstract The strain and stress resultant expressions for a tapered curved beam model are derived. The model is a one-dimensional version of the finite element based shell theory model of Irons and it may be considered as a generalization of the well-known Timoshenko beam model. To gain insight into the properties of the model, the expressions needed are developed analytically without use of finite elements. An effort is made to clarify a statement given previously, which is needed in the application of the theory and apt to lead to some confusion in its interpretation. Small displacement theory is applied. The stress resultant expressions are derived using the principle of virtual work and in addition directly from the stresses acting on the beam cross-section. The stresses obtained by the model in the isotropic elastic case are compared in two simple example problems with those by the Timoshenko model and with the exact values.