ABSTRACT
This chapter begins with the study of structural elements by considering the simplest case, the space truss. It then discusses Euler-Bernoulli beams and Mindlin-Reissner plates. The main assumption in the development of the space truss is that the element can only extend or shorten in the axial direction. It is also assumed that the only nonzero stress in the element is the normal stress acting perpendicular to any given cross section. These assumptions prohibit the element from resisting shear and bending deformation. To complete the derivation of the strain-displacement relationship for the two-node space truss element, we need to differentiate the shape function matrix with respect to r. The normal stress distribution acting on each cross section is assumed to be constant. The chapter presents the framework of small-strain kinematics.
