Finite element analysis of distortional buckling of cold-formed stainless steel columns

• Main Author: Aihua, Liang
• Published: 2012
• Subjects: Stainless steel; Stainless steel cold working; Buckling (Mechanics); Strength of materials
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4302

M.Ing. === Because cold-formed stainless steel is a new type of light steel material and dose not have a long history of utilisation in structures, there are many issues that need to be researched and discussed. Making a more thorough investigation and study of cold-formed stainless steels is essential. As a numerical analysis tool, the finite element method proves to be useful in structural analysis. The buckling modes of cold-formed stainless steel members, such as local, flexural, torsional and torsional-flexural buckling, are well known and well documented in design specifications. Distortional buckling is a special kind of buckling mode, which is less well known. Researchers have recently paid more attention to this problem. For stainless steel structures, it is necessary to investigate their behaviour when distortional buckling occurs. In this project, the distortional buckling of cold-formed stainless steel columns under axial compression is investigated. The finite element method is used to analyse and calculate different buckling modes, especially distortional buckling. This is compared to experimental results and other theoretical predictions. The ABAQUS finite element code is used throughout. Finite element modelling is very important prior to processing and analysis. ABAQUS models are created to study distortional buckling. The initial imperfection of structural members is taken into account with these models, using specific sine wave descriptions with respect to different structural parameters. A dynamic processing approach is chosen in the finite element analysis. The effectiveness and accuracy of these models have been verified by both experimental tests and theoretical calculations. Buckling mode and behaviour are predicted and analysed in terms of the finite element models and processes. Suggestions are made for buckling analysis and design based on the research results.