Numerical and Experimental Analyses

The results provided by the theoretical model proposed in Chap. 1 for the bending of fully nonlinear beams are compared with those given by the numerical and experimental analyses developed in the present Chapter. The numerical model is based on the finite element method (FEM), whereas a test equipment prototype has been designed and manufactured for the experimental analysis. The experimental data have been acquired using the digital image correlation (DIC) instrumentation. The fundamental purpose of these two further analyses for the large bending of slender beams is to justify the hypotheses underlying the theoretical model.