Static analysis of circular beam resting on winkler foundation via displacement-type and mixed finite element

The objective of this thesis is to investigate the behaviour of the static analysis of circular planar beams resting on elastic foundation using both displacement-type and mixed finite element method. A two-noded curved mixed finite element, based on Timoshenko beam theory, has 12 field variables at each node. These variables denote three displacements, three cross-sectional rotations, three forces, two bending moments and a torque, respectively. The results of displacement-type finite element method are obtained using straight finite element of SAP2000 program. The convergence performances of both displacement-type straight element and mixed type curved element are discussed over the static analysis (the displacement, cross-sectional rotations, and support reactions) of circular beams resting on elastic foundation. The convergence analysis is examined for different boundary conditions and central angles in detail.