A concise finite element model for pure bending analysis of simple wire strand

A concise finite element model for simple wire strand under pure bending is presented in this paper. Accurate bending symmetric boundary condition has been developed and applied to the periodic artificial cross-sectional end boundaries of the wire strand finite element model. To achieve better analysis accuracy, full three-dimensional solid elements were used for structural discretization. For the global behaviour of the wire strand, i.e. bending moment vs. bending curvature, the finite element results showed good agreement with the analytical elastic strand model of Costello (Theory of wire rope, 2nd ed. New York: Springer-Verlag; 1997) in elastic loading regime. Furthermore, the finite element model can predict the detailed progressive nonlinear plastic behaviour of the wire strand.

► Accurate FE model for pure bending of strand has been successfully constructed.
► Accurate boundary condition for large deformation bending has been developed.
► Detailed information such as the relative movements between wires were predicted.
► The method can be extended to model strand with complex cross-section.
► This is the author's one more contribution to establish novel FE models in the area.