Cellular buckling from nonlinear mode interaction in unequal-leg angle struts
File(s)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Bai, L
Yang, J
Wadee, MA
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
A variational model based on total potential energy principles that describes the nonlinear mode interaction in thin-walled unequal-leg angle struts under pure axial compression is presented. The formulation, which combines continuous displacement functions and generalized coordinates, leads to the derivation of a system of differential and integral equations that describe the static equilibrium response of the strut. Solving the system of equations using numerical continuation techniques reveals, for the first time, progressive cellular buckling (or snaking) represented by a sequence of snap-back instabilities arising from the nonlinear interaction of the weak-axis flexural, strong-axis flexural and torsional buckling modes—the resulting behaviour being highly unstable. For verification purposes, a finite element (FE) model is also devised and the sequential snap-back instabilities are also captured within its framework. Moreover, once an initial geometric perturbation is incorporated within the variational model it compares very well with the FE model.
Date Issued
2018-11-01
Date Acceptance
2018-08-08
Citation
Thin-Walled Structures, 2018, 132, pp.316-331
ISSN
0263-8231
Publisher
Elsevier
Start Page
316
End Page
331
Journal / Book Title
Thin-Walled Structures
Volume
132
Copyright Statement
© 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. This manuscript is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Licence http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Subjects
0901 Aerospace Engineering
0905 Civil Engineering
0913 Mechanical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2018-09-01