A vectorial approach to computational modelling of beams undergoing finite rotations

The description of nite rotations of beam-like structures using rotational parameters is not the most e cient, from a computational standpoint, because of the non-vectorial nature of nite rotations in three-dimensional space. In the present study, the classical rigid cross-section assumption is abandoned and the motions of beam directors in three-dimensional space is represented using vector quantities so that the resulting con guration space of a beam becomes a linear vector space. Issues concerning the proper constitutive relations are also discussed. Numerical results illustrate that the present approach produces attractive properties for various non- linear problems involving very large rotations compared to the conventional rotational parameter approach.