Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-17-1992
Publication Title
Computers & Structures
Abstract
Space structures, such as the Space Station solar arrays, must be extremely light-weight, flexible structures. Accurate prediction of the natural frequencies and mode shapes is essential for determining the structural adequacy of components, and designing a controls system. The tension pre-load in the 'blanket' of photovoltaic solar collectors, and the free/free boundary conditions of a structure in space, causes serious reservations on the use of standard finite element techniques of solution. In particular, a phenomenon known as 'grounding, or false stiffening, of the stiffness matrix occurs during rigid body rotation. The authors have previously shown that the grounding phenomenon is caused by a lack of rigid body rotational capability, and is typical in beam geometric stiffness matrices formulated by others, including those which contain higher order effects. The cause of the problem was identified as the force imbalance inherent in the formulations. In this paper, the authors develop a beam geometric stiffness matrix for a directed force problem, and show that the resultant global stiffness matrix contains complete rigid body mode capabilities, and performs very well in the diagonalization methodology customarily used in dynamic analysis.
Recommended Citation
Bosela P. A., Fertis D. G. and Shaker F. J. (1992) A New Preloaded Beam Geometric Stiffness Matrix with Full Rigid Body Capabilities. Computers & Structures, 45, 1, 155-163. DOI: 10.1016/0045-7949(92)90352-Z
DOI
10.1016/0045-7949(92)90352-Z
Version
Postprint
Publisher's Statement
NOTICE: this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Computers & Structures. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Computers & Structures, 45, 1, (09-17-1992); 10.1016/0045-7949(92)90352-Z
Volume
45
Issue
1
