Author(s)

R.A.M. Silveira & P.B. Gonçalves

Abstract

A modal nonlinear solution for structural elements under contact constraints imposed by elastic foundations R.A.M. SilveW & P.B. Oonfalves" ' Civil Engineering Department, School of Mines, University Federal of Ouro Preto, Brazil * Civil Engineering Department, PUC-Rio, Brazil Abstract A nonlinear modal solution methodology capable of solving equilibrium and stability problems of structural systems (beams and arches) with contact constraints is presented in this work. The contact constraints are imposed by elastic foundations of the Winkler type, where special attention is given to the case in which the foundation reacts in compression only, characterizing the contact as unilateral. A Ritz type approach with moveable boundaries is proposed to solve this class of unilateral contact problems. The proposed methodology is illustrated by particular problems involving beam-columns and arches, and the results are compared with available results obtained by finite element and math

Keywords