Chapter Seven

Linear Buckling Analysis

Linear Buckling Analysis

Chapter Overview
In this chapter, performing linear buckling analyses in
Simulation will be covered.

In Simulation, performing a linear buckling analysis is similar

to a stress analysis.
It is assumed that the user has already covered Chapter 4
Linear Static Structural Analysis prior to this section.

The capabilities described in this section are generally

applicable to ANSYS DesignSpace Entra licenses and
above.
Some options discussed in this chapter may require more
advanced licenses, but these are noted accordingly.

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Harmonic and nonlinear static structural analyses are not

discussed here but in their respective chapters.

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Linear Buckling Analysis

A. Background on Buckling

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Many structures require an evaluation of their structural

stability. Thin columns, compression members, and
vacuum tanks are all examples of structures where stability
considerations are important.

At the onset of instability (buckling) a structure will have a

very large change in displacement {x} under essentially
no change in the load (beyond a small load perturbation).
F

F
Stable

Unstable

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Linear Buckling Analysis

Background on Buckling

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Eigenvalue or linear buckling analysis predicts the

theoretical buckling strength (the bifurcation point) of an
ideal linear elastic structure.

The eigenvalue formulation determines the bifurcation

points of a structure. This method corresponds to the
textbook approach of linear elastic buckling analysis.
The eigenvalue buckling solution of a Euler column will match
the classical Euler solution.

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Linear Buckling Analysis

Background on Buckling

However, imperfections and nonlinear behavior prevent

most real world structures from achieving their theoretical
elastic buckling strength. Linear buckling generally yields
unconservative results, and should be used with caution.
Consider the buckling of a soda can:
Material response is inelastic. Geometrically nonlinear effects
need to be considered. Contact is also required. Hence, these
type of nonlinear behavior are not considered.
There may be slight imperfections in the soda can, such as a small
dent, which would influence the response and not make the model
symmetric. However, these small imperfections are also not
usually considered in a linear buckling analysis.

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Linear Buckling Analysis

Background on Buckling
Although unconservative, linear buckling has various
advantages:
It is computationally cheaper than a nonlinear buckling
analysis, and should be run as a first step to estimate the
critical load (load at the onset of buckling).

Relative comparisons can be made of the effect of differences in

design to buckling

Linear buckling can be used as a design tool to determine

what the possible buckling mode shapes may be.
The way in which a structure may buckle can be used as a possible
guide in design

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Linear Buckling Analysis

Basics of Linear Buckling

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K i S i 0

This results in certain assumptions related to the analysis:

[K] and [S] are constant:
Linear elastic material behavior is assumed
Small deflection theory is used, and no nonlinearities included
The response based on loading {F} is a linear function of i

Some additional restrictions:

Nonzero displacement supports or thermal loads are not allowed

It is important to remember these assumptions related to

performing linear buckling analyses in Simulation.

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For a linear buckling analysis, the eigenvalue problem below

is solved to get the buckling load multiplier i and buckling
modes i:

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Linear Buckling Analysis

B. Buckling Analysis Procedure

The linear buckling analysis procedure is very similar to

performing a linear static analysis, so not all steps will be
covered in detail. The steps in yellow italics are specific to
buckling analyses.
Attach Geometry
Assign Material Properties
Define Contact Regions (if applicable)
Define Mesh Controls (optional)
Include Loads and Supports
Request Buckling Results
Solve the Model
Review Results

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Linear Buckling Analysis

Geometry and Material Properties

Similar to linear static analyses, any type of geometry

supported by Simulation may be used in buckling analyses:
Solid bodies
Surface bodies (with appropriate thickness defined)
Line bodies (with appropriate cross-sections defined)
Only buckling modes and displacement results are available for
line bodies.

Although Point Masses may be included in the model, only

inertial loads affect point masses, so the applicability of this
feature may be limited in buckling analyses

For material properties, Youngs Modulus and Poissons

Ratio are required as a minimum

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Linear Buckling Analysis

Contact Regions
Contact regions are available in buckling analyses.
However, since this is a purely linear analysis, contact
behavior will differ for the nonlinear contact types:
Contact Type
Bonded
No Separation
Rough
Frictionless

Initially Touching
Bonded
No Separation
Bonded
No Separation

Linear Buckling Analysis

Inside Pinball Region Outside Pinball Region
Bonded
Free
No Separation
Free
Free
Free
Free
Free

It is important to note the following:

The pinball region will influence some types of contact
All nonlinear contact types are reduced to either Bonded or
No Separation contact.
No Separation contact should be used with caution in buckling
analyses, as it provides no stiffness in the tangential direction.
This may produce some superfluous buckling modes. Consider
using bonded contact instead, if appropriate.

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Linear Buckling Analysis

Loads and Supports

At least one structural load, which causes buckling, should

be applied to the model:
All structural loads will be multiplied by the load factor to
determine the buckling load. Hence, non-proportional or
constant loading is not directly supported (see next slide)
No Given Displacement supports are allowed
No Thermal loading is allowed
Compression-only supports are nonlinear, so they are not
recommended for use in buckling analyses

The structure should also be fully constrained

No rigid-body motion should be present in the model. Be sure
to constrain the model appropriately.

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Linear Buckling Analysis

Loads and Supports

Special considerations must be given if constant and
proportional loads are present.

The user may iterate on the buckling solution, adjusting the

variable loads until the load multiplier becomes 1.0 or nearly
1.0.
Consider the example of a pole with self weight WO and an
externally applied force A. You can iterate, adjusting the value
of A until = 1.0.

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Linear Buckling Analysis

Requesting Results
Most of the options for buckling analyses are
similar to that of static analysis. However,
Simulation knows to perform a buckling
analysis when the Buckling tool is selected
under the Solutions Branch:
The Buckling tool adds another branch to the
Solutions branch
The Details view of the Buckling branch allows
the user to specify the number of buckling modes
to find. The default is to find the first buckling
mode. Increasing the number of modes to
calculate will increase the solution time.
However, usually only a few buckling modes are
usually desired.

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Although most users are

only concerned with the
first buckling mode, it is
generally a good idea to
request the first 2 or 3
buckling modes. There
may be closely-space
buckling modes, so this
would tell the user if the
model may be susceptible
to more than one failure
mode.

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Linear Buckling Analysis

Requesting Results
Requested results are located under the
Buckling branch:
The buckling modes are controlled by the
number of modes to find under the Details
view of the Buckling branch
Stress, strain, or directional displacement
results can be requested additionally under
the Buckling branch
The buckling mode is specified for each stress,
strain, or displacement result requested
If stresses or strains are requested for a model
already solved, another solution is required.

No result may be requested directly under

the Solution branch.
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Linear Buckling Analysis

Solution Options

The solution branch provides details on the type of analysis

being performed
For a buckling analysis, none of the options in the Details view
of the Solution branch usually need to be changed.
In the majority of cases, Solver Type should be left on the default
option of Program Controlled. It only controls the solver used in
the initial static analysis but not the buckling solution method.
Weak springs is also meant for the
initial static analysis.
Large Deflection is not supported for
a buckling analysis.

The Analysis Type will display

Buckling for the case of a
linear buckling analysis.

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Linear Buckling Analysis

Solving the Model

After setting up the model, one can solve the buckling

analysis just like any other analysis by selecting the Solve
button.
A linear buckling analysis is more computationally expensive
than a static analysis on the same model. This is because a
static analysis and a buckling analysis are both performed.
If a Solution Information branch
was requested, detailed solution
output is available in the Worksheet
tab of that branch, including the
amount of memory used and no. of
modes have already been extracted
If stress or strain results or more
buckling modes are requested after
a solution is performed, a new
solution is required.

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Linear Buckling Analysis

Reviewing Results
After the solution, the buckling modes can be reviewed

The Load Multiplier for each buckling mode is shown in the

Details view. The load multiplier times the actual loads
represent the critical load.
The buckling modes do not represent actual, realistic
magnitudes. However, these can be used to determine what
the failure modes may look like.

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Model shown is from a sample Inventor part.

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Linear Buckling Analysis

Reviewing Results
Interpreting the Load Multiplier ():

The tower model below has been solved twice. In the first
case a unit load is applied. In the second an expected load
applied (see next page)

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Linear Buckling Analysis

Reviewing Results
Interpreting the Load Multiplier ():

BucklingLoad *Unit _ Load

Actual _ Load
BucklingLoad

In the first case the load Multiplier is simply interpreted as the

buckling load.

In the second case the Load Multiplier is interpreted as a safety

factor.

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Linear Buckling Analysis

Reviewing Results
The buckling load multipliers can be reviewed in the
Worksheet tab of the Bucking branch.

All requested modes will be summarized in the table below

As mentioned earlier, it may be advisable to request more than
just the first buckling mode. This allows the user to see if the
structure may be able to buckle in more than one way under a
given applied load.

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Linear Buckling Analysis

C. Workshop 7
Workshop 7 Linear Buckling

Goal:
Verify linear buckling results in Simulation for the pipe model
shown below. Results will be compared to closed form
calculations from a handbook.

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