Geometrically nonlinear elastic analysis of space trusses

A general framework for the nonlinear geometric analysis of elastic space t russes is presented. Both total Lagrangian and finite incremental formulati ons are derived from the three key ingredients of statics, kinematics and c onstitutive law. Particular features of the general methodology include the preservation of static-kinematic duality through the concept of fictitious forces and deformations, and an exact description for arbitrarily large di splacements, albeit small strain, that can be specialized to any order of g eometrical nonlinearity. As for the numerical algorithm, we consider specif ically the finite incremental case and suggest the use of a conventional, s imple and flexible arc-length based method. Numerical examples are presente d to illustrate and validate the accuracy of the approach.