LAUSR

An innovative numerical procedure for solving the viscoelastic arch problem based on variable fractional rheological models, directly in time domain, is proposed and investigated. First, the nonlinear integral‐differential governing equation is established according to the variable fractional constitutive relation and geometrical relationship. Second, the nonlinear integral‐differential governing equation is transformed into algebraic equations and solved by using the shifted Legendre polynomials. Furthermore, the accuracy and effectiveness of the algorithm are verified according to the mathematical example. A small value of the absolute error between numerical and accurate solution is obtained. Finally, the dynamic analysis of viscoelastic arch is investigated to determine the displacement at different times and positions. The displacement of the viscoelastic arch is compared under various loading (uniformly distributed load and linear load). The displacement of the viscoelastic arch of different materials under the same load conditions is also investigated. The results in the paper show the efficiency of the proposed numerical algorithm in the dynamical analysis of the viscoelastic arch.