What is Buckling Analysis?

1. What is Buckling Analysis?

Buckling analysis is a type of Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) analysis. When a structure is subjected to a compressive load and bends off-axis, this phenomenon is called buckling. Buckling analysis helps determine whether the structure can avoid distortion when a certain load is applied. It also assists in considering the most appropriate and optimal design to prevent sudden failure of a member under a load less than the ultimate strength^*1 of the material.
*1 Ultimate strength: The maximum load (per cross-sectional area) that a structure or material can withstand without failing.

Buckling analysis plays a crucial role in ensuring the structural integrity, safety, and efficiency of buildings, bridges, aerospace structures, and other engineered systems. By simulating and predicting critical loads^*2 and buckling behavior, engineers can make informed decisions to optimize designs and mitigate potential risks associated with structural instability.
*2 Critical load: The maximum load that a structural member can support before it becomes unstable and buckles.

2. How to Conduct Buckling Analysis

First, create design data (CAD model) through CAD software, and import it into CAE software.

Then, make a mesh model.

After creating a mesh model, define the following items:
– Material Properties: Modulus of elasticity, Poisson’s ratio
– Applied Load: Force, pressure, torque, temperature (ambient temperature, surface temperature, or initial temperature)
– Constraints: Free, simply supported, fixed
– Structure Type: columns, beams, plate, shells
– Analysis Type: Linear^*3, Nonlinear^*4
*3 Linear buckling analysis assumes small deformations and linear material behavior (stress proportional to strain).
*4 Nonlinear buckling analysis considers geometric nonlinearities (large deformations), material nonlinearities, and imperfections.

Post Process the results:
– Critical Buckling Load: the load magnitude at which the structure becomes unstable and buckles.
– Buckling Mode Shapes: deformations that the structure undergoes at the critical buckling load.
Stress and Strain Distribution: areas of high-stress concentrations that may indicate potential failure points.

3. Design Using Buckling Analysis

Conducting buckling analysis allows you to investigate the possibility of redesigning a structure so that it will not buckle under applied loads. This analysis helps in finding an optimal design to prevent the abrupt failure of a member under a load that is less than the material’s strength.

Since the simulation is performed on the computer, the number of prototypes and physical tests can be reduced, saving both time and costs. This optimization of the entire design process makes CAE (Computer-Aided Engineering) analysis highly recommended.

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