International Journal of Civil and Structural Engineering Research ISSN 2348-7607 (Online)

Vol. 6, Issue 1, pp: (114-123), Month: April - September 2018, Available at: www.researchpublish.com

ANALYSIS OF CURVED BEAMS

Akpo-ezoukumo Excel Douglas
(Tel: +234 7038855240; Email: [email protected])
Department of Civil Engineering, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Amassoma, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.

Abstract: Analysis of curved beam is a vital part of structural analysis as curved beams have found many
applications in civil, mechanical and aerospace engineering. This Dissertation developed a computer aided analysis
of a “curved beam-element” using Stiffness matrix method. A Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet program was
developed and used to analyze the curved beam element. The main assumption is that the curve is made up of
finite straight lines therefore stiffness matrix method of analysis is suitable to analyze the curved beam. Abaqus
software was used to validate the results obtained from the Excel spreadsheet and the % difference were
calculated. The % difference obtained were within acceptable limit so MS Excel program developed can be used to
analyze beams. Almost everyone’s business or personal computer has Excel installed, which makes it a trustworthy
way to transfer information and easy access. For every computer literate that can use the MS Excel Spreadsheet
even if you do not know how to use Abaqus, Ansys, FEM or other engineering software which are not always
available on all computers, can use the MS Excel spreadsheet to analyze curved beams. The straight beam
approximation method is a reliable method to calculate curved beam elements of different section.
Keywords: curved, beam, analysis, Ms excel, stiffness matrix.

1. INTRODUCTION
Curved beams are used in civil, mechanical and aerospace engineering. Beam whose axis is not straight and is curved in
the elevation is said to be a curved beam. If the applied loads are along the y direction and the span of the beam is along
the x direction, the axis of the beam should have a curvature in the xy plane. On the other hand, if the member is curved
on the xz plane with the loading still along the y direction, then it is not a curved beam, as this loading will cause a
bending as well as twisting of the section. Thus, a curved beam does not have a curvature in the plan. Arches are
examples of curved beams.
Curved beams could be analyzed with different softwares like Ansy, Abaqus, FEM, etc but these softwares are not
available on all computers. This dissertation focuses on producing a MS Excel program that could be used to analyze
curved beams of different sections and materials. The spreadsheet produced could be used on all computer systems and
phones that support Microsoft office files.

2. THE FINITE ELEMENT METHOD

The “finite element method” in structural analysis is a method in which an actual continuous structure is replaced by a
mathematical model made up from structural elements of finite size having known material and geometrical properties.
The complete structure is then analyzed as an assemblage of these discrete elements, where every such element is treated
as a continuous structural member. It is a requirement in this method of structural analysis that the displacements be
compatible and the internal forces be in balance at points on the complete structure shared by two or more elements [13].
Such points are called “joints” or “nodes.”
The material and geometric properties of each element relate the displacements to the applied generalized forces at each
point of the structural element. Thus these properties are called the “force displacement properties” [2] and are related to
and depend upon three properties: the stress-strain properties of the material from which the structural element is made,
the geometry and sectional properties of the element and the displacement or forces imposed at the boundaries of the
structural element.

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Vol. 6, Issue 1, pp: (114-123), Month: April - September 2018, Available at: www.researchpublish.com

These force-displacement relationships are usually found either by determining displacements resulting from a known set
of forces in equilibrium or determining a set of forces in equilibrium that are required to produce a prescribed
configuration of the structural element. These two methods of finding the displacement-force or force-displacement
relationships result in two corresponding matrices involving the material and geometric properties of the structural
element. The former method results in what is called the “flexibility matrix” while the result of the latter method is the
“stiffness matrix the two matrices relate forces and displacements in the following manner:
{v} = [a] (f)
(F) = [k] {v}
Where {v} = a generalized displacement vector of n components.
{F} = a generalized force vector of n components.
[a] = an nth order square matrix containing the flexibility Coefficients.
[k] = an nth order square matrix containing the stiffness Coefficients.

3. STIFFNESS METHOD
As one of the methods of structural analysis, the direct stiffness method, also known as the matrix stiffness method, is
particularly suited for computer-automated analysis of complex structures including the statically indeterminate type. It is
a matrix method that makes use of the members' stiffness relations for computing member forces and displacements in
structures. The direct stiffness method is the most common implementation of the finite element method (FEM). In
applying the method, the system must be modeled as a set of simpler, idealized elements interconnected at the nodes. The
material stiffness properties of these elements are then, through matrix mathematics, compiled into a single matrix
equation which governs the behaviour of the entire idealized structure. The structure’s unknown displacements and forces
can then be determined by solving this equation. The direct stiffness method forms the basis for most commercial and free
source finite element software.
The direct stiffness method originated in the field of aerospace. Researchers looked at various approaches for analysis of
complex airplane frames. These included elasticity theory, energy principles in structural mechanics, flexibility method
and matrix stiffness method. It was through analysis of these methods that the direct stiffness method emerged as an
efficient method ideally suited for computer implementation.

4. SIMPLE USE OF THE PRE-WRITTEN PROGRAM

The straight beam approximations (stiffness method)
 Insert the individual properties of each beam element on the member properties table (Table 3.1: Input table).
 Insert the nodal force on the Nodes Table (table 3.2 : Input table for external forces on the Nodes)
 To obtain the displacements on the nodes of the structure, we use the formula:
 D = K-1 * F
 Where:
 D = Displacement
 K = Global Stiffness Matrix
 K-1 = Inverse of the global stiffness matrix
 F = Applied forces

5. EXTRACTED EXAMPLES FROM MY DISSERTATION

Question 1: Find the displacements, reactions and final forces of the frame in Fig. Q1 below.

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Table Q1.1: Properties of all Members in the Frame

MEMBER PROPERTIES
MEMBER L(m) A(m2) I(m4) E (KN/m2) (θ)
AC 3.000 0.053 0.000233 3.0E+04 90
CD 1.000 0.053 0.000233 3.0E+04 67.5
DE 1.000 0.053 0.000233 3.0E+04 45
EF 1.000 0.053 0.000233 3.0E+04 22.5
FG 2.000 0.053 0.000233 3.0E+04 0
GH 1.000 0.053 0.000233 3.0E+04 337.5
HI 1.000 0.053 0.000233 3.0E+04 315
IJ 1.000 0.053 0.000233 3.0E+04 292.5
BJ 3.000 0.053 0.000233 3.0E+04 270

Table Q1.2: Forces on each Node of the frame

NODES (kN)
PAX 0 PFX 0
PAY 0 PFY 5
MA 0 MF 0
PBX 0 PGX 0
PBY 0 PGY 5
MB 0 MG 0
PCX 10 PHX 0
PCY 0 PHY 0
MC 0 MH 0
PDX 0 PIX 0
PDY 0 PIY 0
MD 0 MI 0
PEX 0 PJX 0
PEY 0 PJY 0
ME 0 MJ 0

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USING ABAQUS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM

Fig.Q1.1: Loading and Boundary conditions

Fig.Q1.10: SS1 plot

Fig.Q1.11: Bending Moment Diagram (Full Path)

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The results obtained from the MS Excel Spreadsheet and Abaqus for Question 1 are displayed in table Q1.3 , Q1.4 and
Q1.5 below.
Table Q1.3: Member Displacement Result
MS EXCEL ABAQUS % DIFF
ΔAX 0 5.48E-33
ΔAY 0 3.42E-33
ƟA 0 1.08E+04
ΔCX 4.777 4.69817 1.646081
ΔCY 0.012 1.27E-02 2.592302
ƟC -1.179 1.26E+00 6.452381
ΔCX 4.777 4.64817 2.692807
ΔCY 0.012 1.27E-02 2.592302
ƟC -1.179 -1.26E+00 6.89743
ΔDX 5.191 5.048 2.752894
ΔDY -0.155 -0.1671 7.73694
ƟD 0.211 0.18 14.73235
ΔDX 5.191 5.08 2.136431
ΔDY -0.155 -0.1494 -3.81526
ƟD 0.211 0.22815 7.473154
ΔEX 4.717 5.0128 5.896904
ΔEY 0.322 0.299 7.229289
ƟE 1.012 0.98159 3.014524
ΔEX 4.717 5.043 6.46044
ΔEY 0.322 0.296 8.160099
ƟE 1.012 0.98132 3.041201
ΔFX 4.305 4.60066 6.417775
ΔFY 1.32 1.20E+00 9.278569
ƟF 0.995 1.015 1.970443
ΔFX 4.305 4.460066 3.467796
ΔFY 1.32 1.27E+00 3.637466
ƟF 0.995 1.015 1.970443
ΔGX 4.305 4.59496 6.319097
ΔGY 2.07 1.89E+00 8.730734
ƟG -0.395 -0.37824 4.48393
ΔGX 4.305 4.59496 6.319097
ΔGY 2.07 1.89E+00 8.730734
ƟG -0.395 -0.37824 4.48393
ΔHX 4.009 3.89496 2.837329
ΔHY 1.354 1.267 6.439226
ƟH -1.072 -0.99722 7.47879
ΔHX 4.009 4.18 4.098086
ΔHY 1.354 1.358 0.279823
ƟH -1.072 -1.1599 8.21982
ΔIX 3.147 3.143 0.139798
ΔIY 0.491 0.485 1.262215
ƟI -1.298 -1.395 7.47304
ΔIX 3.147 2.92 7.225011
ΔIY 0.491 0.502 2.151394
ƟI -1.298 -1.1955 8.57382
ΔJX 1.982 2.152196 7.912662
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ΔJY 0.006 5.91E-03 9.04

ƟJ -1.181 -1.20986045 2.42638
ΔBX 0 4.52E-33
ΔBY 0 6.58E-33
ƟB 0 0.000056
ΔJX 1.982 2.152196 7.912662
ΔJY 0.006 5.92E-03 8.861538
ƟJ -1.181 -1.20913 2.36454
Table Q1.4: Reactions on the Nodes of the Frame
MS EXCEL ABAQUS % DIFF
PACX -9.3473 -10.0048 7.03412
PACY -6.5764 -6.6157 0.59759
MAC 16.76733 16.456 1.85659
PCAX 9.347299 9.256 0.976753
PCAY 6.576397 6.496 1.222553
MCA 11.27457 10.946 2.914516
PCDX 0.652701 0.6558 0.472705
PCDY -6.5764 -6.998 6.4108
MCD -11.2746 -11.44 1.46701
PDCX -0.6527 -0.64511 1.17654
PDCY 6.576397 7.01585 6.263674
MDC 8.154872 7.887 3.285141
PDEX 0.652701 0.6258 4.121342
PDEY -6.5764 -6.995 6.36518
MDE -8.15487 -7.9582 2.47166
PEDX -0.6527 -0.696 6.63398
PEDY 6.576397 7.0246 6.380434
MED 3.043128 2.859 6.049752
PEFX 0.652701 0.696 6.221264
PEFY -6.5764 -6.992 6.36518
MEF -3.04313 -2.852 6.70056
PFEX -0.6527 -0.6496 0.47722
PFEY 6.576397 6.47857 1.487592
MFE -3.28245 -3.456 5.28881
PFGX 0.652701 0.5986 8.288647
PFGY -1.5764 -1.617 2.57549
MFG 3.282449 3.198 2.571289
PGFX -0.6527 -0.6791 4.04474
PGFY 1.576397 1.61686 2.502381
MGF -6.43524 -5.9576 8.01665
PGHX 0.652701 0.646 1.026505
PGHY 3.423603 3.591 4.661654
MGH 6.435242 6.572 2.081558
PHGX -0.6527 -0.644 1.35093
PHGY -3.4236 -3.582 4.62671
MHG -3.02247 -2.96 2.11149
PHIX 0.652701 0.67 2.58209
PHIY 3.423603 3.72 7.967742
MHI 3.022468 2.81 7.030604
PIHX -0.6527 -0.68 4.18263
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PIHY -3.4236 -3.49 1.93948

MIH -0.14009 -0.1469 4.85368
PIJX 0.652701 0.6397 1.991727
PIJY 3.423603 3.554 3.669105
MIJ 0.140086 0.1385 1.142041
PJIX -0.6527 -0.71 8.77892
PJIY -3.4236 -3.387 1.0806
MJI 1.773087 1.799 1.439689
PBJX -11.6613 -12.17 4.36319
PBJY -3.4236 -3.368 1.65083
MBJ -14.7397 -15.02 1.90167
PJBX 11.66125 12.07 3.38691
PJBY 3.423603 3.368 1.624021
MJB -20.244 -19.702 2.75099

Table Q1.5: Final Member Forces of the Frame

MS EXCEL ABAQUS % DIFF
PACX -6.576 -6.59 0.2068
PACY 9.347 8.918 4.59277
MAC 16.77
PCAX 6.576 6.59 0.206373
PCAY -9.347 -8.918 4.81386
MCA 11.27
PCDX -5.826 -6.087 4.47992
PCDY -3.12 -2.95789 5.47045
MCD -11.27
PDCX 5.826 6.0287 3.362251
PDCY 3.12 3.0789 1.307818
MDC 8.155
PDEX -4.189 -3.9814 5.20671
PDEY -5.112 -5.245 2.60774
MDE -8.155
PEDX 4.189 4.278 2.087424
PEDY 5.112 4.945 3.261146
MED 3.043
PEFX -1.914 -1.98 3.46449
PEFY -6.326 -6.48 2.44088
MEF -3.043
PFEX 1.914 2.0287 5.668655
PFEY 6.326 6.178 2.333375
MFE -3.282
PFGX 0.653 0.641675 1.689137
PFGY -1.576 -1.54849 1.8024
MFG 3.282
PGFX -0.653 -0.621675 4.99055
PGFY 1.576 1.4849 5.804364
MGF -6.435
PGHX -0.707 -0.7568 7.02871
PGHY 3.413 3.68 7.26087
MGH 6.435

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PHGX 0.707 0.71568 1.19886

PHGY -3.413 -3.368 1.33017
MHG -3.022
PHIX -1.959 -1.84 6.4837
PHIY 2.882 2.7921 3.132806
MHI 3.022
PIHX 1.959 2.0754 5.594102
PIHY -2.882 -3.021 -4.80849
MIH -0.14
PIJX -2.913 -3.1047 6.57353
PIJY 1.913 1.891 1.16036
MIJ 0.14
PJIX 2.913 3.012 3.280212
PJIY -1.913 -2.0172 5.43592
MJI 1.773
PBJX 3.424 3.25 5.070686
PBJY -11.66 -11.024 5.78012
MBJ -14.74
PJBX -3.424 -3.34 2.50299
PJBY 11.66 11.131 4.546702
MJB -20.24
The percentage difference between the results obtained from the abaqus and the MS Excel calculation sheet is within
acceptable limit. Therefore, this proves that the MS Excel calculation sheet is a good one for calculating curved beams.
To further validate the results from the MS Excel program we solved a problem solved as an example in page 412 of
STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS USING CLASSICAL AND MATRIX METHOD, written by JAMES K. NELSON AND
JACK C. MCCORMAC THIRD EDITION and the results are compared below.
Question 5: Find the final forces of the frame in Fig. Q5 below.

The results obtained from the MS Excel and that of the textbook are shown below in table Q5.2 together with the %
difference.
Table Q 5.1: Properties of all Members in the Frame
MEMBER PROPERTIES
MEMBER L(ft) A(m2) I(m4) E (KN/m2) (θ)
AC 10 0.053 0.0002332 3.0E+04 90
CD 10 0.053 0.0002332 3.0E+04 90
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DE 10 0.053 0.0002332 3.0E+04 90

EF 10 0.053 0.0002332 3.0E+04 0
FG 10 0.053 0.0002332 3.0E+04 0
GH 10 0.053 0.0002332 3.0E+04 0
HI 10 0.053 0.0002332 3.0E+04 270
IJ 10 0.053 0.0002332 3.0E+04 270
BJ 10 0.053 0.0002332 3.0E+04 270

Table Q5.2: Final Member Forces of the Frame

Textbook MS Excel % Diff
(kips), (k-ft) (kips), (k-ft)
PACX -13.93 -13.53 2.95639
PACY 2.67 2.215 17.0412
MAC 26.7 19.1 28.46442
PCAX 13.93 13.53 2.8715
PCAY -2.67 -2.215 20.5418
MCA 2.7 3.047 11.38825
PEDX 13.93 13.53 2.8715
PEDY -2.67 -2.215 20.5418
MED 53.3 47.34 11.18199
PEFX -2.67 -2.215 20.5418
PEFY 13.93 -13.53 2.95639
MEF -53.3 -47.34 12.5898
PGHX -1.78 -2.215 24.4382
PGHY 6.07 6.468 6.15337
MGH 35.5 23.29 34.39437
PHGX 1.78 2.215 19.63883
PHGY -6.07 -6.468 6.55684
MHG 35.5 41.4 14.25121
PHIX -6.07 -6.468 6.55684
PHIY -1.78 -2.215 24.4382
MHI -35.5 -41.4 16.6197
PBJX 6.07 6.468 6.15337
PBJY 17.8 18.98 6.217071
MBJ 78.9 80.94 2.520385
PJBX 6.07 -6.468 6.55684
PJBY 17.8 -18.98 6.62921
MJB 106.2 108.9 2.479339
All results obtained are compared and the % difference between the MS excel and the Textbook are within the acceptable
range.
Several examples were considered using other softwares like Matlab, Abaqus, Winkler’s method and the MS Excel. The
results obtained and the percentage differences were calculated and submitted to the department of Civil Engineering in
Niger Delta University, Amassoma, Bayelsa State and the results were approved by Dr. Solomon T. Orumu, Professor
Adewumi K. Ife and the department for my masters degree dissertation.

6. CONCLUSION
From the results shown in the above example, it can be said that the MS Excel spreadsheet develop using the stiffness
matrix method yields an approximate result to the Abaqus software results. The developed MS Excel Spreadsheet

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Program can be used to analyze curved beams and for every computer literate that can use the Ms Excel Spreadsheet even
if you do not know how to use Abaqus, Ansy, FEM, etc, which are not available on all computers.
Based on the results obtained from the example above, the stiffness matrix method of curved beam analysis gives an
approximate result to the exact method. The following recommendations are made:
1. The method is an approximate method
2. An increase in the number of straight lines would yield more accurate results.
3. The longer the length of the curve, more straight lines are required.
4. A more familiar software (MS-Excel Spreadsheet) can be used to solve analyze curved beam elements.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I would like to appreciate the almighty God for his grace upon my life and for helping me achieve my desires in life.
I would like to express my appreciation to my Supervisor, Dr. S. T. Orumu, for his guidance, patience and encouragement
during the course of this study. Heartfelt appreciation is also extended to the lecturers of the Department of Civil
engineering including the HOD, Dr. Meeting Andaowei for their valuable comments and relentless efforts toward me. My
profound gratitude also goes to Prof. Adewumi Efeoluwa for his fatherly and academic advice throughout the program.
My warm thanks goes to my sweet parents Mr. and Mrs. Apostle J. A. Douglas (the Founder & General overseer, Temple
of Holy Hill Church), my precious wife Mrs. Stella K. Douglas, daughter Ebi-emi and Bolouda-owei New-world, my
Darling brothers, prophet Don Ebipamene, Moses, Ebimotimi, Ebimieyeseigha, Isaiah, Oyeintarikedou Douglas and my
sisters, Timipere, Akpotu, Oyeinmiebi, Perebi, Tariere, Binatari, and Oyeinkepei Douglas for their support financially,
morally and otherwise.
Finally, I wish to extend my appreciation to all my friends, colleagues and others which I may not mention individually.
God bless you all.
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[11] Iura, M.; Atluri, S.N. 1988: Dynamic analysis of finitely stretched and rotated threedimensional space-curved
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