From continuum mechanics, finite element incremental formulation for geometric nonlinear static analysis is derived. A Nonlinear finite element program based on this formulation considering large deformation is developed using updated Lagrangian formulation. The types of elements included are triangular element and 8-node quadratic serendipity quadrilateral element.
The program is tested for arch and cantilever problems and the latter analysis is compared with experimental results. The numerical results obtained in the early stages of loading agrees very well. As the load step progresses, the difference in the displacements increases to about 13%.
