Numerical-Computational Model for Nonlinear Analysis of Frames with Semirigid Connection

A numerical-computational model for static analysis of plane frames with semirigid connections and geometric nonlinear behavior is presented. The set of nonlinear equations governing the structural system is solved by the Potra–Pták method in an incremental procedure, with order of cubic convergence, combined with the linear arc-length path-following technique. The algorithm pseudo-code is presented, and the finite element corotational method is used for the discretization of the structures. The equilibrium paths with load and displacement limit points are obtained. The semirigidity is simulated by a linear connection element of null length, which considers the axial, tangential, and rotational stiffness. Nonlinear analyses of 2D frame structures are carried out with the free Scilab program. The results show that the Potra–Pták procedure can decrease the number of iterations and the computing time in comparison with the standard and modified Newton–Raphson iterative schemes. Also, the simulations show that the connection flexibility has a strong influence on the nonlinear behavior and stability of the structural systems.