Buckling

1 © 2013 ANSYS, Inc. August 5, 2016

 Summary

- What is buckling?
- Why is static analysis limitant?
- Linear buckling
- Non linear buckling

2 © 2013 ANSYS, Inc. August 5, 2016

 What is buckling?

Buckling is a phenomenon of instability observed on a structure. When submitted to a

normal compression load it tends to bend and to have a large deformation in a
direction which is perpendicular to the compression axis.

F F
u

Stable Instable

Author : Grahams Child

Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Buckledmodel.JPG

3 © 2013 ANSYS, Inc. August 5, 2016

 What is buckling?
Determination of a bifurcation point

F F
F
Bifurcation Point Unstable Equilibrium

Neutral Equilibrium
Fcr
u Stable Equilibrium

Bifurcation point: two numerical solutions are possible for perfect structures. This
explains why the results often give two symmetrical buckling modes.

4 © 2013 ANSYS, Inc. August 5, 2016

 What is buckling?
These considerations are applicable to many domains:

Civil engineering

Transportation
rail expansion

Energy
penstocks behavior

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 Limitations of static analysis
Why is static analysis limitant?
The following structures have been calculated with linear static
analysis only:

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 Limitations of static analysis
Let’s check on an example:
We consider the following structure:

L=6m
Ø0.4m

Material data: Isotropic linear elastic

E = 200 Gpa
Re = 420 Mpa
Tube thickness: 3 mm
ν = 0.3

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 Limitations of static analysis

Compression of the structure:

Total load at one end: 50 tons

Boundary condition on the other end: fixed support

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 Limitations of static analysis
Results of static analysis:

Displacement Stress

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 Limitations of static analysis
Conclusion:
- Stress at the center of the structure is equal to 110 Mpa
- The yield stress is: 420 Mpa
=> The structure design can be validated

Yield stress is equal to 420 Mpa. We can calculate that the plastification of the structure
occurs for a 3.8 times greater load (190 tons)
The safety marging is great enough.

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 Limitations of static analysis

Limitation:

- Is the structure stable?

- What is the real critical load?

The questions cannot be answered by just running a linear static analysis.

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 Linear buckling

To answer the first question: is the structure stable, we can start to run a linear buckling
analysis.

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 Linear buckling
The linear buckling analysis provides information about the theoretical buckling load of a
perfect linear elastic structure.

It provides a buckling coefficient. By multiplying the coefficient by all the loads from the
static analysis, you will calculate the critical load, just before the structure collapses.

13 © 2013 ANSYS, Inc. August 5, 2016

 Linear buckling
The buckling analysis uses PERTURB method. This is a 3 steps calculation:
=> Base analysis: linear or non linear static analysis

{P0} = [Ke]{u0}
the following results are obtained:
{u0} = Displacement under a load equal to P0
{s0} = Stresses calculated from U0

Perturbation analysis:
 Restart from the base analysis: obtain the stiffness matrix at a certain result set

[Kt] = stiffness matrix at the desired step

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 Linear buckling
=> For an incremental load, the equilibrium equation is:
{ΔP} = [[Kt] + [Ks (s)]]{Δ u}
[Ks(s)] = elastic stiffness matrix evaluated for a stress state {s}

When we are near the instability (near the critical load Pcr), a little load increment
results in a large change in the displacements.
{P}  0 leads to u-> infinity

Let’s replace this hypothesis in the previous equation:

{0} = [[Kt] + λ[Ks (s0)]]{Δu}

Ks(s0) proportional to load P0

=> Eigen value problem

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 Linear buckling

Theory : for a linear buckling analysis the load multipliers are

calculated from this equation:

K   i S  i   0
K: Stiffness matrix
S: Pre stress stiffness matrix calculated from the static analysis
i : load multiplier
i : shape of the stucture associated to each load multiplier

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 Linear buckling
Let’s realise a buckling analysis on the example’s structure:

17 © 2013 ANSYS, Inc. August 5, 2016

 Linear buckling
How should the buckling results be used?

F x l = Buckling Load Fbuckle = (Fapplied x λ)

For the 4 first modes, we found 2 critical load values:

Fcr1 = 3.43*500000 = 1 715 000 N = 171.5 t

Fcr2 = 12.69*500000 = 6 345 000 N = 634.5 t

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 Linear buckling

Mode 1

Mode 2 Mode 3

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 Linear buckling
Conclusion:

The first buckling mode occurs for a multiplier equal to 3.43

This is an axial instability.

=> The total load the structure can support is 170 tons.

The structure collapses for a load which is smaller than the load calculated with the
static analysis (170<190 t)
Buckling is more precise than static. the safety factor was 3.8. It’s now 3.43.

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 Linear buckling
Points to remember:

- Negative load multiplier

- Choice of the restart point
- Symmetry
- All loads should be multiplied

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 Linear buckling
λ negative
Load multipliers are negative when the loads that make the
structure collapsing are applied in the opposite direction.
In our example, we try to apply traction. We find the same modes
than the example with compression loads, but whith negative
multipliers.

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 Linear buckling
Choice of the time step used for the restart

Fbuckle = (Fapplied x λ)

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 Linear buckling
Symmetry: Modes that are not symmetrical cannot be obtained
if you only represent half of the structure.

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 Linear buckling
Case of multiple boundary conditions:
Boundary conditions are coupled: λ multiplies all the loads when
calculating the critical load

Critical load: Fcr= λ * (Force + Pressure)

Fcr= 1304861.6 N , 130 tons
take care with the gravity load
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 Linear buckling
Limitation:
- Is the structure stable now?
- How can the material, geometrical and contact non linearities can be
used for calculation?
- What if the structure is not perfect?
This cannot be answered by a linear buckling analysis…

26 © 2013 ANSYS, Inc. August 5, 2016

 Non linear buckling

We have to consider linear buckling results with care because they represent results for
a perfect elastic structure. This is a theoretical approach.

Imperfections + non linear behavior lead to the structure crash before the theoretical
load calculated with linear buckling system.

Non linear buckling is a more realistic approach.

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 Non linear buckling
Allow to consider a change in the stiffness matrix in the following
cases:
- Crack in the structure
- Plasticity
- Contacts
- Large deflections
=> Non linear static analysis with incremental load

F
F KT
K

Linear structure
u u
28 © 2013 ANSYS, Inc. August 5, 2016 Non linear structure
 Non linear buckling
The non linear buckling method uses Newton Raphson procedure. It give results until
critical load.
It is not possible with this method to go beyond the instability because the stiffness
matrix becomes ill conditionned -> calculation crashes
Post buckling can be studied with other methods : arclength, stabilization, dynamic
analysis

Fapp

Fcr
KT = 0

u
KT < 0

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 Non linear buckling

Linear analysis

Non linear analysis:

Incremental load until calculation crashes due to
30 © 2013 ANSYS, Inc. August 5, 2016 convergence problem
 Non linear buckling
Large deflection Contacts Material Data

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 Non linear buckling – Perfect structure –
Large deformation
Let’s consider our example and incrementally apply load
We increase load over the critical load calculated in static analysis.

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 Non linear buckling – Perfect structure –
Large deformation
Easy convergence, no instability for the solver : no buckling

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 Non linear buckling – Perfect structure –
Large deformation
Final equilibrium after a 630 tons load applied:

No buckling occurs: we have to create an instability

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 Non linear buckling – Imperfect structure
– Large deformation
Many parameters can cause irregularity in the structure:
- Dimension variation due to manufacturing (wear of the tools)
- Assembly process
- Knock on the structure when manipulating
- Deterioration due to environment (corrosion, mud … )
In real life, a structure is not perfect, whereas the numerical model is perfect.
An imperfection causes a change in the mechanical behavior.

35 © 2013 ANSYS, Inc. August 5, 2016

 Non linear buckling – Imperfect structure
– Large deformation

To be more realistic, we have to represent the imperfection and do the calculations

with the deformed shape of the structure.

Unknown imperfection Known imperfection

Modify node coordinates Use a buckling mode

shape to pre-distort the
structure

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 Non linear buckling – Imperfect structure
– Large deformation
Known imperfection

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 Non linear buckling – Imperfect structure
– Large deformation
Unknown imperfection

Re use of the result file from linear buckling analysis : /COPY command

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 Non linear buckling – Imperfect structure
– Large deformation

The result file is used in the non linear static analysis.

Define: scale, mode shape number (sbstep key)

UPGEOM, FACTOR, LSTEP, SBSTEP, Fname, Ext, --

Adds displacements from a previous analysis and updates the
geometry of the finite element model to the deformed
configuration.

Linear static analysis

Generate an imperfection shape

Non linear static analysis

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 Non linear buckling – Imperfect structure
– Large deformation

New in V17 Link Solution cell to Model cell

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 Non linear buckling – Imperfect structure
– Large deformation

With the imperfection: calculation converges until 80 % of the total load

To increase precision: define more precise time stepping just before instability point

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 Non linear buckling – Imperfect structure
– Large deformation

2 step definition in order to be more precise

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 Non linear buckling – Imperfect structure
– Large deformation
Is crash due to numerical or physical problem?

Look at the stiffness: F=K.u

Reaction probes:

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 Non linear buckling – Imperfect structure
– Large deformation

K decreases toward 0 : buckling point is reached

7000000

6000000
Critical load

5000000
Reaction force (N)

4000000

3000000

2000000

1000000

0
0.00E+00 2.00E-01 4.00E-01 6.00E-01 8.00E-01 1.00E+00 1.20E+00 1.40E+00
Ux displacement (mm)

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 Non linear buckling – Imperfect structure
– Large deformation

On the cylinder, we applied incremental load on a deformed shape.

Size and shape of the imperfection vary.

Axial imperfection Circular imperfection

Deformation from Deformation from
mode shape 1 mode shape 3

% of the % of the
FACTOR imperfection FACTOR imperfection
Critical load in Critical load in
in UPGEOM dimension on in UPGEOM dimension on
tons tons
command the structure command the structure
length radius

0.1 0.0016 % 696 0.1 0.05 % 588

1 0.016 % 696 1 0.5 % 464

2 0.03 % 640 2 1% 360

10 0.16 % 160 10 5% 150

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 Non linear buckling – Imperfect structure
– Large deformation

Comparison with linear results:

Fcr for an Fcr for a

FACTOR
axial circular
in UPGEOM
imperfection imperfection
command
(t) (t)

Linear 171.8 634.55

Non linear 10 160 150

F
Nonlinear
Linear Buckling Idealized Load Path
Eigenvalue
Imperfect Structure’s
Buckling
Load Path

Pre-buckling u
46 © 2013 ANSYS, Inc. August 5, 2016
 Non linear buckling – Imperfect structure
– Large deformation

Maximal stresses in the structure (last converged result point):

Axial Circular
imperfection imperfection
Critical load in non linear analysis
(t) 160 150
– Upgeom factor = 10
Stresses (Mpa) 620 465

Stresses are greater than the Yield stress

=> Plasticity consideration will provide more realistic results

47 © 2013 ANSYS, Inc. August 5, 2016

 Non linear buckling – Imperfect structure
– Large deformation - Plasticity

Plastic buckling: Use of a multilinear plasticity law

Hollomon law σ = k.εpn

k 1856
n 0.177

2500

2000

1500
σ (Mpa)

1000

500

0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4
Εp

48 © 2013 ANSYS, Inc. August 5, 2016

 Non linear buckling – Imperfect structure
– Large deformation - Plasticity

Critical loads calculated with the plasticity law:

Axial imperfection Circular imperfection

Deformation from Deformation from
mode shape 1 mode shape 3

% of the % of the
FACTOR imperfection FACTOR imperfection
Critical load in Critical load in
in UPGEOM dimension on in UPGEOM dimension on
tons tons
command the structure command the structure
length radius

0.1 0.0016 % 280.35 0.1 0.05 % 590

1 0.016 % 280.34 1 0.5 % 248

2 0.03 % 275 2 1% 228

10 0.16 % 139 10 5% 101

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 Non linear buckling – Imperfect structure
– Large deformation - Plasticity

Critical load evolution depending on the analysis type (in tons):

Static analysis
Linear buckling
190
Non linear buckling, with
170 imperfection, large
deformation Non linear buckling, with
imperfection, large
150 deformation +
plasticity
101

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 Conclusion

Linear Non linear

Critical load is over estimated More realistic results

Not expensive in terms of

Uses Newton Raphson method: can
computer ressources and
be expensive
calculation time
An hypothesis is made on the
Rapid access to many mode shape imperfection shape and size. More
results than 1 imperfection has to be
studied

No information about post buckling Possibility to study post buckling

-> Study more than 1 mode

-> Study more than 1 imperfection
-> Monitor the stiffness of the structure
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 Conclusion

To go further:

- Study mode stability

- Study other non linearity sources (contacts)
- Post buckling stabilization

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