On large displacements of spatial trusses in thermal environment

Non-Linear Mechanics of spatial truss structures is investigated by a 4-D spacetime geometric approach. Nonlinear thermal effects, non-homogeneous boundary conditions and loading paths are accounted for by rate elasticity theory. The Rate Virtual Power Principle (RVPP) and ensuing variationally effective stress rate are leveraged. Rate thermoelasticity model is exploited as constitutive relation. A computationally efficient incremental solution procedure is conceived and implemented to solve problems of truss structures under large displacements and deformations in thermal environment. Numerical results are presented for emblematic case-studies, highlighting the effectiveness of the proposed methodology in case of non-elastic effects, non-homogeneous boundary conditions and loading paths along the motion. Comparison with existing standard computational approaches is carried out, supporting the effectiveness of the presented formulation. Contributed outcomes indicate strong potential for extending the proposed approach to geometrically nonlinear elasto-visco-plastic structural problems, bypassing well-known issues affecting finite deformation strategies.