Network Analysis of Thin-Walled Sections in Uniform Torsion

Abstract

Network theory is applied to the problem of Saint-Venant torsion in thin-walled multi-cell sections by treating the section as a network of interconnected limbs. The method has considerable advantages over traditional methods of calculation since it exploits the topological independence of a network from its physical characteristics. Only routine matrix operations are required to set up and solve a system of linear algebraic equations. Four distinct network methods are identified—circuit, cutset, node and face analyses. Each require the solution of far fewer equations than the total number of problem variables. The appropriate method may be selected to minimize the number of equations.