Mixed finite element solutions to contact problems of nonlinear Gao beam on elastic foundation

This paper analyzes nonlinear contact problems of a large deformed beam on an elastic foundation. The beam model is governed by a nonlinear fourth-order differential equation developed by Gao (1996); while the elastic foundation model is assumed as Winkler’s type. Based on a decomposition method, the nonlinear variational inequality problem is able to be reformed as a min–max problem of a saddle Lagrangian. Therefore, by using mixed finite element method with independent discretization–interpolations for foundation and beam elements, the nonlinear contact problem in continuous space is eventually converted as a nonlinear mixed complementarity problem, which can be solved by combination of interior-point and Newton methods. Applications are illustrated by different boundary conditions. Results show that the nonlinear Gao beam is more stiffer than the Euler–Bernoulli beam.