Analysis of a column with variable, arbitrary shaped cross section, including initial imperfections, geometric and material nonlinearity

Abstract

In this paper, we propose a general method for solving structural mechanics problems by developing a “functional model”. It is implemented by defining the required geometrical and physical relationships in their general form via analytical and numerical functions. For that purpose, a special programming language Calcpad is used. The obtained data structure is processed by a core engine, which generates the computer code, required for the solution. This model can be used for calculation of different partial cases, after specifying the specific input functions and parameters. In this way, the need for developing a different procedure for each separate case is eliminated. The proposed method is applied for the analysis of a column with variable, arbitrary shaped cross section, accounting for initial imperfections, geometric and material nonlinearity.