Forces, Moments, Rotations, and Displacements of Polynomial-shaped Curved Beams

This paper deals with curved beams with polynomial free geometry. The problem is approached analytically and the differential equations that govern the mechanical behavior of curved beams are presented. A system of twelve linear ordinary differential equations is solved using either an analytical or a customized numerical method with boundary conditions. Results of the different components of forces, moments, rotations, and displacements are given and plotted in the examples for different polynomial-shaped beams of the fourth degree. It is concluded from the present analyses that the parabolic shape has better response to distributed loads than the other polynomial-shaped beams considered.