On a new approach for finding the kern of a beam section

A new approach is presented that can be used to determine the kern of a gen eral arbitrary section with any shape and conditions. The method is simple, practical and powerful, and is based on elementary calculus. Geometries co ntaining curved boundaries and arbitrary shapes can be handled easily with the analytical equations presented, while the numerically specified shape o f any other cross-section can also be analyzed by using a numerical form of the exact governing equations developed. Tnt correctness of the results ha s been ascertained by comparison with analytical solutions, as well as with examples presented in the literature, and very good agreement has been ach ieved. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.