AdvancedTopics UnderstandingBucklingAnalysesLecture UnderstandingBucklingAnalyses.

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Understanding Buckling Analyses

Buckling Analyses determine buckling load factors for the model and the loads applied.
In a buckling analysis, you define:

Previous Analysis Number of buckling modes

Loaded Model

Model Analyzed for Buckling LectureNotes

Buckling Analyses Buckling is a mode of failure that occurs when a model subject to a load lower than what is required for failure suddenly bends under compressive stresses. If a component or structure has a high aspect ratio and is subject to compressive loads, then there may be concern that the model will buckle. Mechanica will not determine what happens to the model after buckling, but it will determine the mode of buckling and the buckling load factor (BLF). The BLF is the factor of the load applied required to cause buckling. In a buckling analysis, two elements must be defined:

Previous Analysis: Every buckling analysis requires a static analysis to be defined. Number of buckling modes: Specify the number of desired buckling modes.

Best Practices Determining the load required to cause buckling is done by multiplying the load applied in the static analysis by the BLF reported by the buckling analysis. This analysis type is only valid for compressive loads, and will not report reliable results for other load types (for example, bending, torsion). If the BLF is being reported as negative, this means that the loads in the static analysis are causing tension instead of compression. A BLF equal to one indicates that the load is equal to the critical buckling load, and less than one indicates that the load is greater than the critical buckling load. Mechanica solves buckling using the linear eigenvalue bifurcation instability method. This generates results that are consistent with Eulers formulas for buckling.

Where: K= column effective length factor E= modulus of elasticity I= moment of inertia of cross section L= length of column The kind of buckling represented by Johnsons formula can not be solved in Mechanica. Mechanica can provide a mode shape for the type of buckling that will occur, but cannot report what happens to the model after buckling occurs. Overall, the Buckling analysis will enable the user to determine if buckling is a concern for the model.

UnderstandingBucklingAnalysesDemonstration UnderstandingBucklingAnalyses_demo.mp4 UnderstandingBucklingAnalysesProcedure

Procedure: Understanding Buckling Analyses

Scenario
Create and run a buckling analysis for a simply supported column. The results generated will be compared with Eulers formulas. beam simply_supported_beam.prt

Task 1. Create and run a buckling analysis.

1. Click Applications > Mechanica. A static analysis has already been defined for you.

The model consists of a circular column subject to a compressive load. Since the column top and base should be allowed to rotate about the z-axis, the constraint is being applied to a datum curve instead of an entire surface. This is a rare exception done specifically to reproduce results determined by hand calculation.

The load value is equal to 1 N. This means that the critical buckling load will be equal to the reported BLF.

2. Click Mechanica Analyses/Studies

Click File > New Buckling. Type simply_supported_buckling for the Name. The simply_supported_static static analysis should be selected by default (on the Previous Analysis tab) for the buckling analysis. Keep the Number of Buckling Modes set to 1 since the BLF for the primary mode is what is desired. Click OK.

3. Click Start Run

> Yes. to open the Run Status dialog box.

4. Click Display Study Status

The buckling load factor is reported as 35,351. This means that the critical buckling load is 35,351 N.

5. Select Results in the Analyses and Design Studies dialog box and define a Results window for the buckling analysis.

Select the Quantity tab, if required. Verify that the quantity field is set to Displacement, the units are set to mm, and the component field is set to Magnitude. Select the Display Options tab. Select the Deformed check box.

6. Click OK and Show.

7. Note that the maximum displacement is equal to 1. It is reported as this value because the results only include the mode shape (not actual post-bucking displacements), so all displacements are normalized.

8. When you are finished reviewing the results, click File > Exit Results > No to exit the Result window without saving any results.

Task 2. Verify the results.

1. Knowing that K in Eulers formula is equal to 1.0 for a simply supported beam, and knowing the material properties of the model (AL2014), the theoretical critical load can be determined. 2. Using Euler's formula:

The difference in the reported results is only 0.1%.

3. Click Close in the Run Status dialog box to close it, if necessary. 4. If necessary, return to the Standard Pro/ENGINEER mode by clicking Applications > Standard. 5. Click Save from the main toolbar and click OK to save the model. 6. Click File > Close Window from the main menu. 7. Click File > Erase > Not Displayed > OK to erase the model from memory. This completes the procedure.