The finite element equations for a variationally consistent higher order beam theory are
presented for the static and dynamic behavior of rectangular beams. The higher order
theory correctly accounts for the stress-free conditions on the upper and lower surfaces
of the beam while retaining the parabolic shear strain distribution. The need for a shear
correction coefficient is therefore eliminated. Full integration of the shear stiffness terms
is shown to result in the recovery of the Kirchhoff constraint for thin beams without
introducing spurious locking constraints. The accuracy of this formulation is demonstrated
by using several numerical examples for the cases of small and large displacements. For
a hinged-hinged beam, the linear thickness-shear mode frequency can be matched with
the Timoshenko frequency to yield a shear coefficient of 0.824. Matching the bending
frequencies between the two theories indicates a shear coefficient for the Timoshenko
theory that changes with mode number and slenderness ratio. The influence of in-plane
inertia and slenderness ratio on the non-linear frequency is examined for beams with a
number of different support conditions.