Dynamics of Geometrically Nonlinear Rods: I. Mechanical Models and Equations of Motion

Slender thread like bodies (like cables, ropes, textilethreads or belts) are often used in technical applications. Becauseof their dimensions the one-dimensional continuum is the appropriatemechanical model for bodies of this type. Making use of the basicrelations of three-dimensional continua as a starting point the paperdevelops the general kinematic and kinetic relations of one-dimensionalcontinua for the case that the cross-sections will remain plane (Bernoullihypothesis), that large deflections are possible but the strains remainsmall and that the material is homogeneous and isotropic and behaveslinearly elastic. This results in the equations of motion of shearableand extensible rods (Timoshenko-beams). By neglection of shear deformationand of the rotational inertia of the cross-sections (assumptions thatcan be done in most technical applications) the equations of motionof Euler–Bernoulli-beams are derived in standard and concentratedform. The Euler–Bernoulli-beam equations contain the equations ofmotion of threads with zero bending and torsional stiffness. It isshown that the neglection of bending and torsional stiffness is onlyvalid if the tension is always positive. The second part of this paper1] selects and develops appropriate numerical solution methods.The derived algorithms are used to solve problems from space and marineengineering.