A semi-analytical approach to buckling analysis for composite structures

Abstract

The buckling behaviour of thin-walled structural sections made from specially orthotropic material is studied using a semi-analytical, seminumerical approach. The approach used combines plate and beam theory in dealing with the out-of-plane and in-plane deformations of the walls of a cross-section, and has common features to both the finite strip approach and the generalised beam theory approach. The particular problems examined here concern the effects of directionality of the material, and for all cases considered material with stiff direction set longitudinally along the section is compared with the same materal set with the stiff direction across the section. It is found that the buckling behaviour in either case can be found directly from an examination of the other case.