Thats the problem really, there isn't a worked example as such, just a load of theory equations, which don't look like a walk in the park, especially when your looking at a continuous structure. Didn't really want to do a FE for the very reason that I have never done one by hand.
Is there a specific problem you're trying to solve, or is it just a matter of learning from the great one?
Continuous structures can sometimes by "divided" into pieces by making assumtions or boundary conditions that apply to the case.
For instance, you could be analysing a continuous tube, supported by circular frames at regular intervals. In such a case the end effects are irrelevant so it actually becomes a simpler problem to solve. You could assume, for example that internal pressure inside that tube would deflect each ring-shaped panel equally, therefore solving for a single ring is sufficient to model the whole length of the structure. This allows you to break the problem down, and it also suggests that there is no net rotation of the panel at the ring frame. Other assumptions may be reasonable with a bit of deduction.
If you are able to read and follow Timoshenko, then you're probably at the level where the preceding explanation wasn't necessary.
