Structural Elements

3 types:

• Bars (1D)
• Plates and Shells (2D)
• Blocks (3D)

Bar elements are only focused for s1.

Pin Joint

Doesn’t exert a moment. Free rotations are allowed. When only pin joints are used, bars will have only axial forces.

Bars

Here

• - Axial force
• - Shear force

Types of bars

Axially loaded

Generally in trusses, pin joints are considered.

• Predominant tension - Ties
• Predominant compression - Struts

Flexural

• Predominant bending - beams

Torsional

• Predominant torque - shafts