Accurate finite strip for analysing deep beams and shear walls

A new finite strip for the analysis of 2D elastic problems is presented. Displacement in each of the two inplane directions is interpolated by a set of computed shape functions in the longitudinal direction and, as usual, standard 1D Lagrangian shape functions in the transverse direction. Unlike all other finite strips, the unknown parameters of the present finite strip are represented by the physical displacement variables at nodal points. Furthermore, C₀-continuity is maintained across the boundaries between adjacent strips. Deep beams with geometric discontinuity can be treated in a standard finite element manner. Several numerical examples are given to demonstrate its accuracy in analysing deep beams and shear walls.