The effect of temperature on the large amplitude vibrations of curved beams

The thermoelastic, geometrically nonlinear vibrations of isotropic, straight and curved beams are studied using p-version, hierarchical finite elements. First-order shear deformation theory is followed, and both the longitudinal displacements and inertia are taken into account. The nonlinear equations of motion are solved in the time domain by Newmark's method. The influence of parameters like the temperature variation, the thickness and the ratio of curvature on the beams nonlinear dynamics is studied. Periodic and non-periodic motions are found.