A finite strip method for the elastic—plastic large dlisplacement analysis of thin-walled and cold-formed steel sections

Abstract

A large deflection elastic—plastic analysis has been developed using the finite strip method of structural analysis to determine the non-linear local buckling behaviour of thin-walled and cold-formed sections in compression. The analysis accounts for plate geometric imperfections, the variation of yield stress around a section, the stress—strain characteristics of the material forming the section and complex patterns of residual stress produced by the cold-forming process. The analysis is verified against reliable solutions for the non-linear buckling behaviour of plates and plate assemblies in axial compression and the non-linear overall buckling behaviour of a strut. The analysis is further compared with the results of plates with a rounded stress—strain curve typical of cold-formed steel and aluminium.