Generalized Elasticity Method for Curved Beam Stress Analysis: Analytical and Numerical Comparisons for a Lifting Hook^#

^#Communicated by Z. Mroz.

Abstract

Elasticity analysis of curved beams was formerly limited to structures having rectangular cross-sections. Recently an elasticity-based approach to stress analysis for several specific, non-rectangular cross-section shapes was reported; this paper generalizes that work, presenting a formulation that allows beams of any cross-sectional shape to be analyzed. A lifting hook with a double-trapezoidal cross-section is studied using this extended elasticity method. Mechanics of materials approximations and finite element analysis are also applied to the same hook. Comparisons of the stresses predicted by these different approaches allow the accuracy and utility of the elasticity-based analysis to be evaluated.

Keywords:

• Cross-section
• Curved beam
• Elasticity
• Finite element analysis
• Lifting hook
• Plane stress
• Variable thickness
• Winkler's theory

Notes

^#Communicated by Z. Mroz.