Description of the problem
To verify the mathematical model of ELPLA for analyzing continuous beams, results of a continuous beam introduced by Harry (1993) (Examples 10.2, 10.4 and 10.5, pages 399, 409 and 411) are compared with those obtained by ELPLA.
A continuous beam of length L = 35 [m] is chosen as shown in Figure 60. The beam is subjected to a point load of P = 500 [kN] at the center. The beam cross section yields Moment of Inertia I = 0.003 [m4]. Young's modulus of the beam is E = 2.0×108[kN/m2].
For the comparison, three different cases are considered as follows:
Case a: Continuous beam with a point load P at the center on supports at points a, b, d and e.
Case b: Instead of the point load P at the center of the beam, points a, b, d and e have the following support settlements: Δa = -2.75 [cm], Δb = -4.75 [cm], Δd = -2.2 [cm] and Δe = -1.0 [cm].
Case c: Points c and d are supported by elastic springs that have stiffness of ksb = ksd = 3600 [kN/m].
Example 26: Analysis of a continuous beam
