Large deflection analysis of cantilever beams of symmetrical cross-section subjected to a rotational distributed loading including the effect of material nonlinearity

Abstract Combined effects of geometrical and material non-linearities on a cantilever beam having symmetrical cross-section about its central axis with a rotational distributed loading are studied. It is assumed that the stress-strain relation in compression is identical to that in tension. Due to this, the neutral axis coincides with the central axis of the beam. The problem is formulated by means of an integral equation which is suitably converted to a system of nonlinear ordinary differential equations which are solved using a simple and accurate numerical method. Details of the load deflection characteristics for an I-beam and for a beam of rectangular cross-section are presented.