Large deformation analysis of a square frame with rigid joints

In elements used as flexible linking devices and structures, the main chara cteristic is a fairly large deformation without exceeding the elastic limit of the material. This property is of both analytical and technological int erests, Previous studies of large deformation have been generally concerned with a single member (e.g. a cantilever beam, a simply supported beam, etc .). However, there are very few large deformation studies of assembled memb ers such as frames. This paper deals with a square frame with rigid joints, loaded diagonally in either tension or compression by a pair of opposite f orces. Analytical solutions for large deformation are obtained in terms of elliptic integrals, and are compared with the experimental data. The agreem ent is found to be fairly close. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd .