Conclusion Buckling is a critical failure condition for many classes of structure. Accurate estimates of critical load and response modes are difficult unless a structure falls well into the ‘slender’ category. Linear solutions may suit such structures if loads and boundary conditions are carefully assessed. However for the majority of instability prone structures a full […]
FEA Collection 1
Buckling Analysis
This module reviews Linear and Nonlinear Buckling Analysis Background Buckling occurs as an instability when a structure can no longer support the existing compressive load levels. Many structural components are sufficiently stiff that they will never suffer any form of instability. In the figure these structures are classically described as ‘short’. In practice it […]
Linear Buckling
The most basic form of buckling analysis in FEA is linear buckling. This is directly related to the classic Euler type of calculation. A small displacement perturbed shape is assumed in each element that induces a stress dependent stiffening effect. This adds to the linear static stiffness in the element. Imagine a guitar string tightened […]
Nonlinear Buckling
If for any reason the results of a linear buckling solution suggest the calculation is not representing the real response, then a nonlinear buckling analysis is called for. This uses a nonlinear geometric analysis to progressively evaluate the transition from stable to unstable and addresses many of the limitations we have seen in linear buckling […]