FEA of shear flexible beams

The author considers a task of stability in compression of a beam with low value of transverse shear stiffness. On the base of Reissner-Midlin plate theory, the finite element of a shear flexible beam is developed, where transverse shear strains occur as the basic kinematic nodal variables. The urgency of the model is shown by means of test buckling analysis of beams. Buckling of sandwich beams and thick layered composite under non-classical boundary conditions beams are investigated.