Two-Dimensional Geometrically Nonlinear Finite Element Formulation for Analysis of Straight Pipes

The paper presents a new and simple geometrically nonlinear finite element formulation to simulate the structural response of straight pipes under in-plane loading and/or internal pressure. The formulation employs the Green-Lagrange strain tensor to capture finite deformation-small strain effects. Additionally, the First Piola-Kirchhoff stress tensor and Saint Venant-Kirchhoff constitutive model are adopted within the principle of virtual work framework in conjunction with a total Lagrangian approach. The formulation is applied for a cantilever beam under three loading conditions. Results are in good agreement with shell models in ABAQUS. Although the solution is based on a single element, the formulation provides reasonable displacement and stress predictions.