Modelling a telescopic boom – the 3D case: Part II

In this paper, we shall extend an idea of the modelling flexible telescopic boom using a non-linear finite element method to the three-dimensional case. The boom is assembled by Reissner’s geometrically exact beam elements. The sliding boom parts are coupled together by the element, where a slide-spring is coupled to beam with the aid of a master–slave technique. A special element with a revolute joint and an element with offset are developed. Telescopic movement is achieved by the element with varying length and the connector expressing the chains. This technique yields system equations without algebraic constraints.