Experimental and numerical investigation of large-scale effect on buckling and post-buckling behavior of tubular structures

Abstract

In this paper, compressive behavior of tubular structures made of aluminum and multilayer carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) are studied experimentally and numerically. Results show that current evaluation of aluminum tubes using Johnson–Euler method overestimates the critical stress values of the tubular structure because local failure is ignored. A finite element analysis (FEA) model based on Riks method is proposed to re-evaluate compressive performance and failure modes of aluminum tubes. This model is modified for laminated composites by introducing damage model based on Hashin’s theory, such as matrix tensile/compressive failure, and fiber tensile/compressive failure. Simulation results of CFRP tubular structure show close agreement with experimental results, but also sensitive to geometric constants. Material failure is primarily the failure mode of tubes with slenderness ratios under 21. A mixed failure mode can be found for slenderness ratios of tubes between 21 and 35. For tubes with slenderness ratios above 35, buckling failure is the primary failure mode.