Simple Nonlinear Static Analysis Using Truss Models for Modeling Snap-through of Thin Shallow Arches

Abstract

In this paper, a truss model is used for the geometrically nonlinear static analysis of a thin shallow arch subject to snap-through. Thanks to the very simple geometry of a truss, the equilibrium conditions can be easily written and the global stiffness matrix can be easily updated with respect to the deformed structure, within each step of the analysis. A very coarse discretization is applied. For the geometrically nonlinear static analysis, a short computer program has been developed by displacement control of a plane truss model of a structure. This very short, fully documented computer program is applied on the geometrically nonlinear static analysis of a specific thin shallow arch subject to snap-through.