On a virtual element formulation for trusses and beams

Abstract The virtual element method (VEM) was developed not too long ago, starting with the paper [2] related to elasticity in solid mechanics. allows revisit construction of different elements; however, it has so far applied one-dimensional structures like trusses and beams. Here we study several VEM elements suitable for beams show that methodology produces are equivalent well-known finite but also different, especially higher-order ansatz functions. It will be shown these can easily incorporated classical codes since they have same number unknowns as beam elements. Furthermore, formulation compute nonlinear structural problems undergoing large deflections rotations.