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Milcapy provides several methods to add frame and beam elements using different beam theories.

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add_member()

Add a structural member (frame element) to the model with configurable beam theory.

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Syntax

model.add_member(id, node_i_id, node_j_id, section_name, beam_theory='TIMOSHENKO')

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Parameters

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id
int
required
Unique identifier for the member element.
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node_i_id
int
required
ID of the initial (start) node.
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node_j_id
int
required
ID of the final (end) node.
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section_name
str
required
Name of the section previously defined with add_rectangular_section(), add_circular_section(), or add_generic_section().
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beam_theory
str | BeamTheoriesType
default:"'TIMOSHENKO'"
Beam theory to use for the element. Available options:
  • 'TIMOSHENKO' - Timoshenko beam theory (accounts for shear deformation)
  • 'EULER_BERNOULLI' - Euler-Bernoulli beam theory (ignores shear deformation)

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Returns

Returns a Member object representing the created frame element.

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Example

import milcapy as milca

model = milca.SystemMilcaModel()

# Add material and section
model.add_material('steel', modulus_elasticity=200e9, poisson_ratio=0.3)
model.add_rectangular_section('sec1', 'steel', base=0.3, height=0.5)

# Add nodes
model.add_node(1, 0.0, 0.0)
model.add_node(2, 5.0, 0.0)

# Add member with default Timoshenko theory
model.add_member(1, 1, 2, 'sec1')

# Add member with Euler-Bernoulli theory
model.add_member(2, 2, 3, 'sec1', beam_theory='EULER_BERNOULLI')

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add_elastic_timoshenko_beam()

Add a Timoshenko beam element with axial rigidity to the model.

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Syntax

model.add_elastic_timoshenko_beam(id, node_i_id, node_j_id, section_name)

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Parameters

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id
int
required
Unique identifier for the beam element.
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node_i_id
int
required
ID of the initial (start) node.
​
node_j_id
int
required
ID of the final (end) node.
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section_name
str
required
Name of the section previously defined.

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Returns

Returns a Member object with Timoshenko beam theory.

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Example

import milcapy as milca

model = milca.SystemMilcaModel()

# Add material and section
model.add_material('steel', modulus_elasticity=200e9, poisson_ratio=0.3)
model.add_rectangular_section('beam_sec', 'steel', base=0.3, height=0.5)

# Add nodes
model.add_node(1, 0.0, 0.0)
model.add_node(2, 6.0, 0.0)

# Add Timoshenko beam
model.add_elastic_timoshenko_beam(1, 1, 2, 'beam_sec')

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add_elastic_euler_bernoulli_beam()

Add an Euler-Bernoulli beam element with axial rigidity to the model.

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Syntax

model.add_elastic_euler_bernoulli_beam(id, node_i_id, node_j_id, section_name)

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Parameters

​
id
int
required
Unique identifier for the beam element.
​
node_i_id
int
required
ID of the initial (start) node.
​
node_j_id
int
required
ID of the final (end) node.
​
section_name
str
required
Name of the section previously defined.

​
Returns

Returns a Member object with Euler-Bernoulli beam theory.

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Example

import milcapy as milca

model = milca.SystemMilcaModel()

# Add material and section
model.add_material('concrete', modulus_elasticity=25e9, poisson_ratio=0.2)
model.add_rectangular_section('beam_sec', 'concrete', base=0.25, height=0.4)

# Add nodes
model.add_node(1, 0.0, 0.0)
model.add_node(2, 4.0, 0.0)

# Add Euler-Bernoulli beam
model.add_elastic_euler_bernoulli_beam(1, 1, 2, 'beam_sec')

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Beam Theory Comparison

Timoshenko Beam

Accounts for shear deformation. More accurate for short, thick beams and high-frequency vibrations.

Euler-Bernoulli Beam

Ignores shear deformation. Suitable for long, slender beams where shear effects are negligible.
All three methods create frame elements with 3 degrees of freedom per node (ux, uy, rz). The choice of method depends on the desired beam theory and code organization preferences.

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