Abstract

This paper is concerned with the general formulation of linear problems in rod elastostatics, and with the identification of their common formal and structural features, valid for every kinematical hypothesis. The generalized variables (section forces and generalized deformations) defining the 1-dimensional model are introduced in a consistent and natural way, through a convenient factorization of the density of complementary potential energy, for every kinematical constraint which can be expressed as a linear combination of the generalized displacements. The identification of this complementary energy function with the Hamiltonian functional of analytical mechanics allows a systematic procedure to construct the equations which rule this class of problems. In this frame, the main target is to establish the required conditions to write the rod equilibrium equations in a purely statical form (with no interplay of kinematical variables). We primarily conclude that this is possible when the kinematics of the cross-sections is constrained to a rigid body movement. As a consequence, the concept of hyperbeam is proposed in order to define those models with deformation modes beyond rigid body movements of the cross section: in them, section forces and generalized displacements are coupled in the equilibrium equations. This is related to the idea of local static indeterminacy (hyperstaticity ) and justifies the new name.