Comparing the Results to the Linearized Buckling Analysis

We will create a buckling study and solve the same problem with the linearized buckling analysis.

  1. Create a buckling analysis study with Shell mesh type.
  2. Drag the Shell icon from the nonlinear study to the buckling study.
  3. Drag the Fixtures, External Loads and Mesh into the buckling study.
  4. Run the buckling study.
  5. After the analysis is completed, right-click the Results folder and select List Buckling Factor of Safety.

    The estimated buckling load factor is approximately 122 indicating that the shell will buckle at a load of about 2.5 x 122 = 305 N.

Conclusion

Linearized buckling analysis estimates the buckling load to be more than twice the actual buckling load calculated by nonlinear analysis. This example shows the advantage of using nonlinear analysis and that linearized buckling analysis could overestimate the buckling load by a large factor (in this case 2.1).

The nonlinear analysis results agree with the following reference.

Crisfield, M. A., “A Fast Incremental/Iterative Solution Procedure That Handles Snap-Through,” Computers & Structures, Vol. 13, pp. 55-62, 1981.

Congratulations! You have completed this lesson.