Plastic buckling analysis by the continuum finite element modeling

Abstract

The continuum modeling of the finite element method is used to solve the plastic buckling problems of two-dimensional girder framework-type structures. By using this finite element discretization, the connection joints of structural members can be treated as deformable bodies. This can contribute to the accounts of stress concentration and continuum development of plastic zones, which are important for accurately predicting the plastic buckling behavior of structures. The incremental-iterative procedure is used to up-date the response history of the nonlinear finite element system. An accelerated iteration method, proposed by the present author, based on improving a modified Newton-Raphson scheme is used for obtaining converged solutions of discretized nonlinear algebraic systems. Limit point buckling and bifurcation buckling are studied by the postbuckling analysis of a rectangular girder framework, while the multiple limit point buckling is studied by the ultimate strength analysis of the transverse ring structure of a ship model.