Simcenter Femap Workshop: Linear and Nonlinear Buckling

Buckling occurs when the structure becomes unstable and can no longer resist the applied load. Typically, this type of behavior occurs in structures under high compressive load: classic examples are submersibles and load bearing towers. Linear buckling theory takes into effect the very real physical mechanism of stress stiffening due to tensile loads or by reducing the stiffness due to compressive axial loads. This differential stiffness is a function of the geometry and applied loads.

[𝐾𝑎]+{𝑃𝑐𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙}[𝐾𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙]=0

However, the key assumption is that deflections are small up to the point of buckling and that the stress level prior to buckling is below the yield point of the material.  In this video, we explore two methods of solving buckling problems with Simcenter Femap and Simcenter Nastran.