Chapter 7

Linear Buckling Analysis

Introduction to ANSYS
Mechanical
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Linear Buckling

Chapter Overview

Training Manual

In this chapter, performing linear buckling analyses in Mechanical

will be covered.

Contents:
A. Background On Buckling
B. Buckling
g Analysis
y
Procedure
C. Workshop 7-1

The capabilities described in this section are generally applicable to

ANSYS DesignSpace Entra licenses and above.

Some options discussed in this chapter may require more advanced

licenses, but these are noted accordingly.

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Linear Buckling

A. Background on Buckling

Training Manual

Many structures require an evaluation of their structural stability.

Thin columns, compression members, and vacuum tanks are all
examples of structures where stability considerations are important.
At the onset of instability (buckling) a structure will have a very large
change in displacement {x} under essentially no change in the load
(beyond a small load perturbation).

F
Stable

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Unstable

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Linear Buckling

Background on Buckling

Training Manual

Eigenvalue or linear buckling analysis predicts the theoretical

buckling strength of an ideal linear elastic structure.
Thi
This method
th d corresponds
d to
t the
th textbook
t tb k approach
h off linear
li
elastic
l ti
buckling analysis.
The eigenvalue buckling solution of a Euler column will match the
classical Euler solution.

Imperfections and nonlinear behavior prevent most real world

structures from achieving their theoretical elastic buckling strength
strength.
Linear buckling generally yields unconservative results.
Linear buckling will not account for:
Material response that is inelastic
inelastic.
Nonlinear effects.
Imperfections in the structure which are not modeled (dents etc.).

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Linear Buckling

Background on Buckling

Training Manual

Although unconservative, linear buckling has various advantages:

It is computationally cheaper than a nonlinear buckling analysis, and
should be run as a first step
p to estimate the critical load ((load at the onset
of buckling).
Relative comparisons can be made of the effect of differences in design to
buckling

Li
Linear buckling
b kli
can be
b used
d as a design
d i tool
t l to
t determine
d t
i what
h t the
th
possible buckling mode shapes may be.
The way in which a structure may buckle can be used as a possible guide in
design
g

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Linear Buckling

Basics of Linear Buckling

Training Manual

For a linear buckling analysis, the eigenvalue problem below is

solved to get the buckling load multiplier i and buckling modes i:

([K ] + i [S ]){ i } = 0

Assumptions:
[K] and [S] are constant:
Linear elastic material behavior is assumed
Small deflection theory is used, and no nonlinearities included

It is important to remember these assumptions related to performing

linear buckling analyses in Mechanical.

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Linear Buckling

B. Buckling Analysis Procedure

Training Manual

A Static Structural analysis will need to be performed prior to (or in

conjunction with) a buckling analysis. The steps in italics are specific
to buckling analyses.
analyses

Attach Geometry
Assign Material Properties
D fi C
Define
Contact
t tR
Regions
i
(if applicable)
li bl )
Define Mesh Controls (optional)
Include Loads and Supports
S l Static
Solve
St ti Structural
St
t
l Analysis
A l i
Link a Linear Buckling Analysis
Set Initial Conditions
R
Request
tR
Results
lt
Solve the Model
Review Results

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Linear Buckling

Geometry and Material Properties

Training Manual

Any type of geometry supported by Mechanical may be used in

buckling analyses:
Solid bodies
Surface bodies (with appropriate thickness defined)
Line bodies (with appropriate cross-sections defined)
Only buckling modes and displacement results are available for line bodies.

Although Point Masses may be included in the model, only inertial loads
affect point masses, so the applicability of this feature may be limited in
buckling analyses

For material properties, Youngs Modulus and Poissons Ratio are

required
q
as a minimum

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Linear Buckling

Contact Regions

Training Manual

Contact regions are available in free vibration analyses,

however,, contact behavior will differ for the nonlinear
contact types exactly as with modal analyses.
Discussed earlier (see chapter 5).
Contact Type
Bonded
No Separation
Rough
Frictionless

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Initially Touching
Bonded
No Separation
Bonded
No Separation

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Linear Buckling Analysis

Inside Pinball Region Outside Pinball Region
Bonded
Free
No Separation
Free
Free
Free
Free
Free

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Linear Buckling

Loads and Supports

Training Manual

At least one structural load, which causes buckling, should be

applied to the model:
All structural loads will be multiplied by the load multiplier () to
determine the buckling load (see below).
Compression-only supports are not recommended.
The structure should be fully constrained to prevent rigid-body motion.

F x = Buckling Load
In a buckling analysis all applied
loads (F) are scaled by a
multiplication factor () until the
critical (buckling) load is reached
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Linear Buckling

Loads and Supports

Training Manual

Special considerations must be given if constant and proportional

loads are present.
The user may iterate on the buckling solution
solution, adjusting the variable
loads until the load multiplier becomes 1.0 or nearly 1.0.
Consider the example of a column with self weight WO and an externally
applied force A.
A solution can be reached by iterating while adjusting the value of A until
= 1.0. This insures the self weight = actual weight or WO * = WO .

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Linear Buckling

Buckling Setup

Training Manual

Buckling analyses are always coupled to a structural analysis within

the project schematic.
The Pre-Stress object in the tree contains the results from a structural
analysis.
The Details view of the Analysis Settings under the Linear Buckling
branch allows the user to specify the number of buckling modes to find.

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Linear Buckling

Solving the Model

Training Manual

After setting up the model the buckling analysis can be solved along
with the static structural analysis.
A linear buckling analysis is more computationally expensive than a
static analysis on the same model.
The Solution Information branch provides detailed solution output.

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Linear Buckling

Reviewing Results

Training Manual

After the solution is complete, the buckling modes can be reviewed:

The Load Multiplier for each buckling mode is shown in the Details view
as well as the graph and chart areas. The load multiplier times the
applied
li d loads
l d representt the
th predicted
di t d buckling
b kli load.
l d

Fbuckle = (Fapplied x )

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Linear Buckling

Reviewing Results

Training Manual

Interpreting the Load Multiplier ():

The tower model below has been solved twice. In the first case a unit
load is applied. In the second an expected load applied (see next page)

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Linear Buckling

Reviewing Results

Training Manual

Interpreting the Load Multiplier ():

BucklingLo ad = *Unit _ Load

BucklingLoad =

BucklingLo ad = * Actual _ Load

BucklingLoad

= = Safety _ Factor
Actual _ Load
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Linear Buckling

Reviewing Results

Training Manual

The buckling load multipliers can be reviewed in the Timeline

section of the results under the Linear Buckling analysis branch
It is g
good practice
p
to request
q
more than one buckling
g mode to see if the
structure may be able to buckle in more than one way under a given
applied load.

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Linear Buckling

C. Workshop 7.1 Linear Buckling

Training Manual

Workshop 7.1 Linear Buckling

Goal:
Verify linear buckling results in Mechanical for the pipe model
shown below. Results will be compared to closed form
calculations from a handbook.

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