A simple finite element-based framework for the analysis of elastic pseudo-rigid bodies

This article advocates a general procedure for the numerical investigation of pseudo-rigid bodies. The equa- tions of motion for pseudo-rigid bodies are shown to be mathematically equivalent to those corresponding to certain constant-strain nite element approximations for general deformable continua. A straightforward algorithmic implementation is achieved in a classical nite element framework. Also, a penalty formulation is suggested for modelling contact between pseudo-rigid bodies. Representative planar simulations using a non- linear elastic model demonstrate the predictive capacity of the pseudo-rigid theory, as well as the robustness of the proposed computational procedure.