Thin‐Walled Space Frames. II: Algorithmic Details and Applications

Abstract

In the companion paper, a finite element formulation for analyzing prismatic thin‐walled space‐frame structures with arbitrary cross sections, was developed that maintains rotational continuity and eliminates moment imbalances at the corner nodes of space‐frame structures. This paper focuses on the development of the global stiffness equations consistent with an updated Lagrangian representation of second‐order geometric nonlinearity, solution of the nonlinear equations with a quadratically converging work‐increment‐control technique, updating the element coordinate transformation matrices, nonlinear transformation of element stiffness equations from the shear center to any arbitrary point on the cross section, and the presentation of sample numerical results for an L‐shaped space‐frame structure.