On dynamics of flexible branched shell structures undergoing large overall motion using finite elements

The general, statically and kinematically exact, six-field theory of branched shell structures, extended to nonlinear problems of shell dynamics involving also large overall motion, is discussed. The generalized Newmark algorithm on the proper orthogonal group SO(3) with Newton iterations is proposed. Numerical simulations of the behavior of an elastically twisted T-shaped shell structure in forced and free rotations with large overall motion are presented.