An Efficient Finite Element For Restrained Torsion Of Thin-Walled Beams Including The Effect Of Warping And Shear Deformation

An efficient torsion element is developed to describe the restrained torsion of thin-walled beams based on the first-order torsion theory. The element has two nodes, each with two degree of freedoms, namely, total rotation and warping function of cross section. The element stiffness matrix is directly obtained on the basis of first-order torsion theory without the assumption of interpolation function and the derivation of classical finite element method, which is more convenient and applicable than the initial parameter method. This element can consider not only the warping deformation but also the shear deformation of cross section due to restrained torsion. Finally, numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the validity and reliability of current torsion element, and the comparison between the results obtained from current method and those from other approaches is also illustrated.