Numerical and experimental analysis of stability of thin-walled composite structures subjected to eccentric load

Abstract

The study investigates the effect of eccentric load on the stability and post-critical states of thin-walled composite top-hat cross-section columns made of CFRP under compression. The specimens were subjected to compressive load on the universal testing machine Zwick Z100 with regard to both axial and eccentric compressive loads. On the basis of the experimental studies, numerical models of thin-walled composite profiles were designed and verified by numerical analysis based on the FEM. The first stage of the conducted studies was performing a linear buckling analysis of stability of composite structures. The second stage of the analysis involved performing a nonlinear analysis of the thin-walled structures with geometric imperfections reflecting the lowest buckling modes. The obtained test results showed various effects of non-axial compressive load on the critical load values and stiffness of the construction in the post-critical state. In the case of eccentric loading in the direction parallel to the web of the top-hat profiles, the critical load values practically did not change – a drop in the force did not exceed 1.5%, as well as there was no change in the stiffness of the structure in the post-critical state. The realization of the eccentricity in the direction perpendicular to the profile web caused a drop in the critical force equal 43% and a significant decrease in the stiffness of the structure. On the other hand, implementation of the eccentricity load toward the web caused an increase in the critical force by more than 20%, despite very small eccentricity values of only 4mm were applied. This proved high sensitivity of the tested structures to the non-axial load in the direction perpendicular to the web of the profile. The FEM results and the experimental findings showed satisfactory agreement.