Tapered Beam

[eidini]

Hi,
I need to model a tapered beam element with distributed plasticity. Is there any way other than dividing the beam into smaller elements with constant cross sections? The beam cross section is rectangular, and in the view the cross section changes linearly from one end to the other one.
Thank you in advance

[arbarbosa]

For modeling a tapered beam, you can use the forceBeamColumn element and assign different sections to the element using the "-sections $secTag1 $secTag2...". You will need to assign a different section for each integration point along the element.

Please have a look at:
http://opensees.berkeley.edu/wiki/index ... mn_Element

"To change the sections along the element length, the following form of command may be used:
element forceBeamColumn $eleTag $iNode $jNode $numIntgrPts -sections $secTag1 $secTag2 ... $transfTag <-mass $massDens> <-iter $maxIters $tol> <-integration $intType>"

[eidini]

Thank you very much André for the reply!