Axial, Bending, Torsion, Combined and Buckling Analyses of a Beam

Pre/Postprocessor: FEMAP 10.0.2, Processor: ABAQUS 6.11-2

Professor James A. Sherwood
Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Massachusetts Lowell
03-March-2012
Introduction
In this tutorial, a finite element model of a beam will be constructed and analyzed. The
analysis will look at stresses and displacements associated with multiple loading
conditions for a steel beam. The beam will be clamped at one end and be loaded on the
other end with prescribed displacements for the axial, torsion and bending loads. A unit
force will be applied to find the critical buckling load and the associated mode shape.
The cross section of the beam is shown in Fig. 1. The cross section dimensions are
summarized in Table 1. The length of the beam is 90 cm.

t1

Table 1. Cross section dimensions

t2

a
b
t1
t2

t1
b

6 cm
7 cm
1 mm
2 mm

Figure 1 - Beam cross section

INTRODUCTION TO FEMAP V10.0.2

FEMAP v10.0.2 is a powerful Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software package that
allows the user to build the geometry, create nodes and elements, specify materials and
apply loading conditions. The processing of the model, however, will be done by
ABAQUS v6.9-2. The results from the analysis will be viewed using FEMAP v10.0.2.
Below are few helpful keys for FEMAP operation:
1. F8 will allow changing the orientation of the model and viewing different planes.
2. Ctrl-A will autoscale the model on the screen.
3. Ctrl-Z will undo the last action.

-1-

In this tutorial, it is recommended to save often. Also, it is a good idea to change your
filename as you progress through the tutorial in case a major mistake is made so that it is
easy to go back a few steps by opening the saved file.
Note: All menu selections to be chosen will be in bold in this tutorial.
STARTING FEMAP
Open FEMAP 10.0.2: Start > Programs > FEMAP v10.0.2.
If the tip of the day pops us, just click OK. Then again, if you read it, you may learn
some useful information.
CREATING THE MODEL
A series of models for the various load conditions will be built and saved in individual
files.
Defining the Material
Model Material
The Define Isotropic Material popup window will appear.
Click Load AISI 4340 Steel
The window should now look like Figure 2 (except for E and nu). Note that the
properties of material are all defined including E and . The user can change any entries
as needed. For this model, change E to 200e9 and nu to 0.30. The units for E are Pa.
Note: The units selected for the material define the units to be used for the forces,
moments and lengths in the model. Because Pa=N/m2, force, moment, stress and
length units for the analysis will be Newtons, Newton-meters, Pascals and meters,
respectively.

-2-

Figure 2 - Defining Model Material

Click OK, another blank window will show up to declare another material, just click
Cancel.

Defining the Model Properties

Next the section properties of the model will be defined so ABAQUS can associate the
correct characteristics of the material with the appropriate component in the model. This
model will be built by using 1-D rod elements which are then extruded along the x axis to
make 2-D plate elements that describe the beam configuration.
Model Property
Enter Rod in the Title: box from the Material drop-down menu select
1..AISI 4340 Steel.
Click Elem/Property Type under Line Elements select Rod OK.
Enter a value of 1 for Area, A = 1 (Figure 3).

-3-

Notes:

1. For this finite element model, the rod elements are being used as stepping
stones to the creation of the shell elements that will describe the beam
geometry. Thus, the value of the area for the rod is not important. The
rod elements will be deleted after they have served their useful purpose.
2. Trusses are modeled as rods in FEMAP.

Figure 3 - Line Element Properties

Click OK
A new Define Property window pops up. Enter the following information:
Title: Plate1 scroll and select Material 1..AISI 4340 Steel.

However, the

1..AISI 4340 Steel should already be selected.

Click Elem/Property Type under Plane Elements select Plate OK.

The Define Property window should now look like Figure 4.

-4-

Figure 4 - Plate1 Element Properties

Because t1=1 mm, Enter 0.001 for Thickness, Tavg or T1
Notes: 1. With a nonzero entry in the T1 box and zero values in the T2, T3 and T4
boxes, the program assumes a plate of uniform thickness.
2. The plate thickness must be in meters so as to be consistent with the elastic
modulus of 200x109 N/m2. The units for the material constants define what
units are used for the dimensions on the structure. Because E is defined as Pa
(N/m2), the units of force for the model are in terms of Newtons and the units
for length are meters.
Click OK
A new Define Property window pops up, enter the following information:
Title: Plate2 scroll and select Material 1..AISI 4340 Steel.

However, the

1..AISI 4340 Steel should already be selected.

Click Elem/Property Type under Plane Elements select Plate OK (Figure 5).

-5-

Figure 5 - Plate2 Element Properties

Because t2=2 mm, Enter 0.002 for Tavg, then
OK Cancel

Creating the Beam Geometry

Create a sketch of the beams cross-section in the y-z plane.
To set the view to be the y-z plane with the x axis coming out of the screen, Hit F8, then
click YZ Right OK
Next enter the points that define the cross section. The geometric center of the beam will
be selected to be at the origin.
Geometry Point
X= 0, Y= 0.0295, Z= 0.035 OK
X= 0, Y= 0.0295, Z= 0 OK
X= 0, Y= 0.0295, Z= -0.035 OK
X= 0, Y= -0.0295, Z= 0.035 OK
X= 0, Y= -0.0295, Z= 0 OK
X= 0, Y= -0.0295, Z= -0.035 OK Cancel

-6-

Ctrl-A to autoscale

The screen should look similar to Figure 6.

Figure 6 - Points to be used to draw midplanes of web and flanges

The next step will draw the centerline geometry of the cross section using the seven
points that were just entered.
Geometry Curve-Line Points
Using the mouse cursor, click on the point in the upper left corner, then click on the point
in the upper right corner, then OK. A blue horizontal line should appear.
Click on the point in the lower left corner, then click on the point in the lower right
corner, then OK. Another horizontal line should appear.
Click on the top center point, then click on the bottom center point, then OK Cancel.
A vertical line should appear.

-7-

Your model window should now look like Figure 7.

Figure 7 - Points and lines defining beam cross section

Creating the Finite Element Mesh

When creating a finite element mesh with shell or plate elements, it is best to make
elements as square as possible, i.e. keep the aspect ratio of length to width to be as close
to 1 as is possible. In this model, the elements will be made with dimensions as close as
possible to 1 cm by 1 cm. However, the elements in the web need to connect to the
elements in the flanges at element edges. Therefore, the flanges will be meshed into six
elements across the width to satisfy this joining requirement. Thus, the width, w, of the
flange elements will be:

w = 7 cm/6 = 1.16667 cm = 0.0116667 m

-8-

(1)

The height of the web, h, is

h = a - (2 x t1/2) = 6 cm - 2 x (1 mm/2) = 59 mm = 0.059 m

(2)

This height yields an element height of

5.9 cm/6 = 0.98333 cm = 0.0098333 m

(3)

The 90-cm length of the beam will be generated using 90 1-cm long elements. Therefore,
the respective aspect ratios for the web and the flanges will be 0.98333 and 0.85714,
which are close to unity.
Mesh Mesh control Size along curve (or Shift+F10)

Select the two horizontal lines by clicking on them and click OK

Enter Number of Elements = 6. This entry will divide the flanges of the beam into six
evenly spaced lengths to create the FE mesh.
Ensure that Equal and Parametric are selected in the Node Spacing area of the
Mesh Size Along Curves as shown in Figure 8.

Click OK and seven evenly spaced nodes should appear along each of the two horizontal
lines.

Figure 8 - Mesh size along curves

-9-

The Entity selection window will reappear. Use the cursor to select the vertical line
OK Enter Number of elements = 6. This entry will divide the web of the beam into six
evenly spaced lengths to create the FE mesh.
Ensure that Equal and Parametric are selected in the Node Spacing area of the
Mesh Size Along Curves as shown in Figure 8.
Click OK Cancel

The FEMAP window should look similar to Figure 9.

Figure 9 - Lines with mesh control information

Note: Notice that as you build the model, information is summarized in the Model Info
pane on the left side of the FEMAP window. As you gain experience in using
FEMAP, you can edit, add and delete model parameters directly through this tree
as opposed to using the pull-down menus on the toolbar.
You cannot delete an entity if it is needed to define part of another entity. For
example, a material entity cannot be deleted if it is being used to define an
element property.
- 10 -

Creating the Rod Elements

Rod finite elements will be created using the three lines shown in Figure 9.

As

previously stated, these rod elements will be used as seed elements for creating the
plate elements that will define the beam model.
Mesh Geometry Curve Select All OK
In the popup window, use the Property pull-down menu and select the 1..Rod property,
then click OK. In the Messages pane of FEMAP, you should see that 3 curves were
selected and 18 elements were created.

Extrude along the X Axis

Now the cross section made of rod elements will be extruded along the x axis to create
the finite element mesh of the beam with plates. This extrusion will be a two-step
process. First the flanges will be extruded using the Plate1 property, then the web will be
extruded using the Plate2 property.
Mesh Extrude Element
Using the mouse, select the 12 rod elements that make up the two flanges.

- 11 -

The FEMAP screen should look similar to Figure 10.

Figure 10 - Flange elements selected

Click OK

- 12 -

In the Generate Options popup window, choose 2..Plate1 as shown in Figure 11, then
enter 90 in the Elements along Length, and check the box next to Delete Original
Elements. Click OK.
Note: The delete original elements option will delete the rod elements as they have
served their purpose of seeding the generation of the plates. If the user wished
to retain these rod elements, then this box should be left unchecked.

Figure 11 - Generate Options popup window

In the Vector Locate popup window, click Methods^ Global Axis
Enter 0, 0, 0 for the XYZ coordinates of the Base
Ensure that Positive and X Axis are selected
Enter 0.9 for Length as shown in Figure 12. Click OK.

Figure 12 - Extrude Along popup window

- 13 -

In the Confirm Delete popup window, accept the default settings as shown in Figure 13
and Click OK.

Figure 13 - Confirm Delete popup window

The plate elements describing the two flanges will be generated. Use the Autoscale
(Ctrl+A) Zoom

and Rotate

features to see these flanges. An example view is

shown in Figure 14.

Figure 14 - Example view showing the two flanges of the beam

- 14 -

To prepare for extruding the web, F8 YZ Right OK. The user may need to zoom
in to fit the cross section of the I-beam to the window.
Mesh Extrude Element

Using the mouse, select the six rod elements that make up the web. Click OK.
In the Generate Options popup window, choose 3..Plate2, then enter 90 in the
Elements along Length, and check the box next to Delete Original Elements. Click
OK.
In the Vector Global Axis popup window,
Enter 0, 0, 0 for the XYZ coordinates of the Base
Ensure that Positive and X Axis are selected
Enter 0.9 for Length as shown in Figure 12. Click OK.
In the Confirm Delete popup window, Click OK.
F8 Isometric OK
Ctrl+A

- 15 -

Your model should look like Figure 15.

Figure 15 - Isometric view of the beam

If your model appears as a solid mesh rather than a transparent mesh, then you can toggle
to a transparent mesh by clicking on the View Style button (

another view from the dropdown menu.

Figure 16 is an example of a wireframe view.

- 16 -

) and then selecting

Figure 16 - Isometric wireframe view of the beam

Model Cleanup
In the process of building the finite element model, duplicate nodes at essentially the
same spatial location may be created. These duplicate nodes can be a problem as they
will be interpreted as a crack in the mesh. Therefore, the user should always check the
model for coincident nodes.
Tools Check Coincident Nodes Select All OK
Figure 17 will pop up.

- 17 -

Figure 17 - Check/Merge Coincident Nodes

Select Merge Coincident Entities and ensure all the other options are selected as shown in
Figure 17. Click OK

A total of 182 coincident nodes should be found in this model. This information is
reported in the FEMAP Messages window pane. The coincident nodes in this model will
be where the flanges meet the web. Because the flanges and the web were created in two
separate extrusions, FEMAP created duplicate nodes at these intersections.

Not all

models have coincident nodes, but it is always good to check the model. If coincident
nodes are found, they will be automatically corrected and merged. Now is a good time to
save your model.
File Save As
Note: FEMAP model files use a .MOD for the file extension.

- 18 -

Loading and Constraints

Boundary conditions will be defined which will simulate a fixed (also known as
clamped) beam at one end with a tip load. Click on F8 XY Top OK. Zoom in
on the left end of the beam by first doing Cntl+A (to Autoscale) and then using the zoom

tool (dashed-line box)

. The zoomed in view of the beam should look similar to

Figure 18.

Figure 18 - Zoomed view of the left end of the beam

- 19 -

To constrain one end of the beam:

Model Constraints Set Title = Fixed End OK
Model Constraint Nodal Pick^ Box

Use the mouse to drag a box around the nodes (the first line of points) at the end of the
beam (see Figure 19). The drag is accomplished by locating the mouse at one corner of
the box, then holding the left button as the mouse is moved to the diagonal corner of the
box OK.
Check Fixed OK Cancel
Notice all six of the DOF at that end of the beam are constrained as shown in Figure 20.

Figure 19 - Fixed End with selected nodes

Figure 20 - Fixed End with BCs shown

Save your model with a file name that will reference the stage you are in the
building of the model, e.g. Steel_Beam_Fixed.

Note: We will refer back to this model to build the other loading conditions instead of
creating an entirely new model or deleting constraints.

- 20 -

Applying an Axial Load to the Beam:

A 0.01% axial strain will be applied to the end of the beam as a prescribed displacement.
Do Ctrl+A to fit the model to the window.
Zoom in

on the right end of the beam.

Model Load Set Title = Axial Load OK

Model Load Nodal Pick^ Box
Use the mouse to drag a box around the nodes at the end of the beam (Figure 21) OK.

Figure 21 - Selecting the nodes for the axial displacement

- 21 -

Duplicate the settings as shown in Figure 22 for the Create Loads on Nodes pop up
window. Highlight Displacement and set TX=0.00009 and uncheck TY and TZ.

Figure 22 - Axial Load Settings

OK Cancel

The prescribed axial displacement should appear as shown in Figure 23.

- 22 -

Figure 23 - Prescribed axial boundary condition

File Save As example-axial-v2.MOD

Applying a Torsional Load to the Beam

An equal and opposite displacement will be imposed on opposite sides of the beam to
simulate a torque on the beam. First, delete the axial load.
Delete Model Load-Set Select All OK OK

Or in the Model Info tree, click on the + sign to expand the Loads branch, then right-click
on the Fixed End load, and click Delete.

The axial displacements should disappear. Now a load set will be defined for the twisting
moment.
- 23 -

Model Load Set Title = Torsion Load OK

Model Load Nodal Pick^ Box

Drag the box just around the top nodes at the end of the beam (Figure 24).
Click OK

Figure 24 - Picking the top nodes for the torsion load

- 24 -

The load is to be a 5o twist at the end of the beam. The y-distance from the center of the
beam to the line of nodes just picked is 0.0295 m. To find the required displacement in
the z-direction to achieve the 5o twist use

tan(5o )

z
0.0295

(3)

where z is the prescribed displacement and is equal 0.00258 m.

Displacement Components for the components enter TZ = 0.00258 (as shown in
Figure 25)
Click OK Cancel

Figure 25 - Prescribing the nodal displacements for the torsion load

Repeat the process for the bottom row of nodes, but prescribe the displacement to be
negative (i.e., -0.00258).
Model Load Nodal Pick^ Box
Drag the box just around the bottom nodes at the end of the beam.
Click OK
Displacement Components for the components enter TZ = -0.00258 OK
Click Cancel when done.
File Save As example-torsion-v2.MOD

- 25 -

Beam in Bending
A prescribed displacement in the negative y-direction will be imposed on the tip of the
beam. First, the torsion load must be deleted.
Delete Model Load-Set Select All OK OK

The twist displacements should disappear. Now a load set will be defined for the tip
load.
Model Load Set Title = Bending Load OK
Model Load Nodal Pick^ Box
Drag the box around the nodes at the end of the beam (as was done in Figure 21) OK.
Select Displacement from the left hand side Under Directions select Components.
Set TY = -0.006 OK Cancel
The end of the beam should show prescribed displacements as shown in Figure 26.

Figure 26 - Prescribed bending boundary condition

File Save As example-bending-v2.MOD

You now have created three models for the steel beam: Axial, Torsion and Bending.

- 26 -

ANALYZING THE MODELS

Exporting Model
File Export Analysis Model Create/Edit Set New
In the Analysis Set popup window, select 16..ABAQUS from the pull-down menu as
shown in Figure 27. You can name the Analysis Set, e.g. Beam.

Figure 27 - Analysis Export Type Selection

Click OK

The Analysis Set Manager window should look similar to Figure 28.

Figure 28 - Analysis Set Manager window

Click Done OK
- 27 -

The Save As popup window will appear. Select a name for your analysis file and a
location that will be easy for you to find in a DOS command prompt (Default Temp
folder is suggested).
Name: choose a name for input file (i.e., the model name e.g., beam_bend.inp)
Write.
FEMAP has now created the analysis file with the extension .inp . This file format is
the input file for ABAQUS.

Open the ABAQUS command window

Start Programs ABAQUS 6.9-2 ABAQUS Command

After the ABAQUS command window appears, you must change the current directory to
the folder where your analysis model was created. If you saved your file in a drive other
than the C:\ drive, then enter the desired drive letter followed by a colon. For example, if
the beam_bend.inp model was saved on drive G:\ in folder FEA, then:

G: <enter>
where <enter> denotes you should hit the Enter key
Now change to the desired folder, e.g. the FEA folder on drive G:
G:> cd FEA <enter>
G:\FEA>

The cd command changes directory, type in dir, then press the Enter key to see the
contents of that drive/folder.

Once you have located your folder, type abaqus inter j=name of file you created (the
.inp file).

- 28 -

Figure 29 shows a typical ABAQUS Command DOS window.

Figure 29 - Example of an ABAQUS Command DOS window

ABAQUS will solve the model and create a name.fil output file with the results. The
analysis may take some time to complete. If the Abaqus JOB file name COMPLETED
message did not appear, an error message will appear. You must go back to FEMAP and
attempt to correct the error(s) in the model. Looking at the *beam_bend.dat and/or the
beam_bens.msg file using Notepad may give you some insight as to the source of the
errors. Finally, after receiving the COMPLETED message, go back to the FEMAP model
to view the results, i.e. to postprocess the results.

Viewing Results
File Import Analysis Results select ABAQUS OK
Locate your name.fil (should be in the same folder where you wrote the *.inp file) and
select Open, and then select Yes when asked if OK to begin reading analysis model, e.g.
FEMAP has just uploaded the
ABAQUS analysis information for postprocessing.

- 29 -

Press F6 select the view options shown in Figure 30a and be sure to uncheck the Draw
Entity box, then click OK.

Press F6 again and repeat for Figure 30b, then click OK.

(a)

(b)
Figure 30 - Selecting View Options

Press F5 select Deform under Deformed Style and Contour under Contour Style
Click Deformed and Contour Data Verify that 7020..Plate Top X Normal Stress is
selected for Contour and that 1..Total Translation is selected for Deformation as shown in
Figure 31.

- 30 -

Figure 31 - Postprocessing view selection

Click OK OK
Press Ctrl+A to resize the beam to fit the window if needed. With mouse cursor in the
model window pane, you may need to scroll the mouse wheel to resize the beam so you
can see it completely.

The stress contour plot should look similar to the view shown in Figure 32. Notice that
the highest tensile and compressive stresses are on the top and bottom webs respectively
near the fixed end.

- 31 -

Figure 32 - Contour plot showing variation in axial stress distribution

The contour legend on the right hand side of the model window is automatically
determined by FEMAP from the stress values in the *.fil file. The fixed BC at the wall
results in stress singularities in that region that may or may not be realistic.

To better see the stress variation in the beam, it is suggested that the user define the
contour legend upper and lower limits. To do this user-defined option, click View
Options (or F6). In the View Options popup window, under Category select
PostProcessing, then select Contour/Criteria Levels in Options pane. In the level
Mode pane, select 3..User Defined. In the Minimum and Maximum boxes enter -100e6
and +100e6, respectively, or play with other upper and lower limits of your choosing.

- 32 -

Use the zoom feature in FEMAP to look closely at the fixed end of the beam. As shown
in Figure 33, you can see the max tensile and compressive stresses are at the top and
bottom of the beam, respectively, and the magnitude of the stress decreases as you move
away from the wall.
The stress contour legend on the right side of the plot window has units of Pa (N/m2).
Recall that the elastic modulus was prescribed to be 200x109 Pa and all dimensions were
input in meters. The units used for the elastic modulus define what units are used for
inputting dimensions and for the interpretation of the stresses and displacements.

The default option in FEMAP is to exaggerate the displacements for visual interpretation.

Figure 33 - Zoomed in contour plot showing variation in axial stress distribution

(side view)

- 33 -

Press F8 Isometric OK
Figure 34 shows an isometric view of the end of the beam fixed to the wall. Notice
how the stress decreases as you proceed in the positive x direction and how the stress
progresses from the maximum tensile stress on the top to the maximum compressive
stress on the bottom.

Figure 34 - Zoomed in contour plot showing variation in axial stress distribution

(isometric view)

- 34 -

Press Ctrl+A to resize the beam to fit the window as shown in Figure 35.

Figure 35 - Analyzed Model of beam bending (isometric view)

The dynamic rotate (

) and zoom (scrolling the mouse wheel) tools used in building

the model may also be used to look at the completed model.

Follow the same steps for writing the INP files and subsequent ABAQUS analysis and
FEMAP postprocessing of the axial-pull and twist models.
example-torsion-v2.MOD
example-axial-v2.MOD

- 35 -

Beam Buckling

For the buckling analysis, a unit axial load will need to be applied to the tip of the beam.
For the best analysis, this unit load should be distributed amongst all of the nodes at the
tip of the beam. However, the amount of force to apply to each node is a function of the
width of the element and the number of elements connected to a node. A relatively easy
way to find the respective nodal forces is to examine the ASCII output file created by the
axial analysis of the beam.

Assuming that the INP filename used for the axial pull beam was named
beam_axial.inp, open the file beam_axial.inp in Notepad. In Notepad,
Edit Find enter NODE FILE Find Next

Peruse the file and look for two lines saying:

*NODE PRINT, FREQUENCY=1
RF,
as shown in Figure 36.

- 36 -

Figure 36 - Reading the input file beam_axial.inp in Notepad

If these two lines are not in the INP file, then enter them manually and save the INP file.
Analyze the finite element model of the axial pull in ABAQUS.
Open the file beam_axial.dat in Notepad. In Notepad,
Edit Find enter RF1 Find Next

- 37 -

The Reaction Force section of the beam_axial.dat file is shown in Figure 37. Nodes 1
through 21 denote the reaction forces (RF1, RF2 and RF3) in the x, y and z directions at
the wall and the reaction moments (RM1, RM2 and RM3) about the x, y and z axes at the
wall. Notice that as a consequence of constraining these nodes in all six DOFs each node
has nonzero values for the six reactions. These reaction forces and moments are a
consequence of the axial load applied at the tip of the beam and the Poisson effect.

Figure 37 - Reaction Forces listed in the axial.dat file

- 38 -

In a pure uniaxial pull condition, the reaction forces at the wall would only exhibit
nonzero values for the x components. Because the beam is constrained from any
deformation at the wall, the lateral displacements that could occur in a pure uniaxial
pull as a consequence of the Poisson effect cannot occur. Thus, the geometric fit
condition that all nodes at the wall are fixed in space requires the introduction of forces
and moments to satisfy the zero-translation and zero-slope boundary conditions at the
wall.

Nodes 1268 through 1270, 1272 through 1277, 1279 through 1281 and 1905 through
1911 are the nodes where the prescribed axial displacement was applied (Note: all xforces are positive at these nodes). These nodes only have nonzero values for the RF1
component because the other five DOFs (y, z, x, y and z [U2, U3, UR1, UR2 and
UR3, respectively, in the DAT file]) were not constrained. Take the sum of these RF1
forces and divide each nodal force by this sum.

To automate the process, copy these lines (as shown in Figure 38) and paste them into a
new Notepad file. Save the new Notepad file as forces.txt.

Figure 38 - Highlighting the Reaction Forces in the axial.dat file

- 39 -

Now open Excel 2003 or 2007 to a blank file and import the forces.txt file into Excel.

In Excel 2003
Data Import External Data Import Data
Browse to the directory where you saved the RF1.txt file, as shown in Figure 39 and
click Open

Figure 39 - Importing the Reaction Forces file RF1.tx into Excel

Figure 40 - Highlighting the Reaction Forces in the axial.dat file

In the Text Import Wizard popup window (Fig. 40), select the Fixed Width option and
click Finish OK
The data are now in Excel 2003.

- 40 -

In Excel 2007
Click on the Data tab From Text (Figure 41)

Figure 41 - Importing text file data into Excel 2007

In the Import Text File popup, navigate to the directory where you saved your
forces.dat file and click Import.
In the Text Import Wizard popup window (Fig. 40), select the Fixed Width option and
click Finish OK
The data are now in Excel 2007.

Use the sum function in Excel to add all the forces. In this case, the sum is 5165.3 .
Dividing each nodal RF1 value by this total gives the respective force to apply to each
node so as to have a net unit force on the end of the beam. Table 2 summarizes the nodal
forces extracted from the uniaxial pull model and the corresponding set of nodal forces to
give a unit force.

- 41 -

Table 2. Calculation of forces to apply a unit force for buckling

Node
1268
1269
1270
1272
1273
1274
1275
1276
1277
1279
1280
1281
1905
1906
1907
1908
1909
1910
1911
Total

RF1
116.8
233.6
233.6
233.6
233.6
116.8
116.8
233.6
233.6
233.6
233.6
116.8
430.4
393.7
393.7
393.7
393.7
393.7
430.4
5165.3

Unit Load
0.02261243
0.04522487
0.04522487
0.04522487
0.04522487
0.02261243
0.02261243
0.04522487
0.04522487
0.04522487
0.04522487
0.02261243
0.08332527
0.07622016
0.07622016
0.07622016
0.07622016
0.07622016
0.08332527
1.00000000

An easy way to create the input file for doing the buckling analysis is to edit the beam_axial.inp
file. Open the beam_axial.inp file in Notepad and save as beam_buckle.inp.

Edit Find enter *STEP, Find Next

Change the following four lines of the file as shown:

*STEP, INC=100
Axial Load
*STATIC
--Blank line--

*STEP, INC=100
Buckle Load
*BUCKLE
10, 1.E+9

- 42 -

Edit Find enter *BOUNDARY Find Next

Change the prescribed displacement information to prescribed loads
*BOUNDARY, TYPE=DISPLACEMENT, OP=NEW
1268, 1, , 0.00009
1269, 1, , 0.00009
1270, 1, , 0.00009
1272, 1, , 0.00009
1273, 1, , 0.00009
1274, 1, , 0.00009
1275, 1, , 0.00009
1276, 1, , 0.00009
1277, 1, , 0.00009
1279, 1, , 0.00009
1280, 1, , 0.00009
1281, 1, , 0.00009
1905, 1, , 0.00009
1906, 1, , 0.00009
1907, 1, , 0.00009
1908, 1, , 0.00009
1909, 1, , 0.00009
1910, 1, , 0.00009
1911, 1, , 0.00009
Becomes
*CLOAD, OP=NEW
1268, 1, -0.02261243
1269, 1, -0.04522487
1270, 1, -0.04522487
1272, 1, -0.04522487
1273, 1, -0.04522487
1274, 1, -0.02261243
1275, 1, -0.02261243
1276, 1, -0.04522487
1277, 1, -0.04522487
1279, 1, -0.04522487
1280, 1, -0.04522487
1281, 1, -0.02261243
1905, 1, -0.08332527
1906, 1, -0.07622016
1907, 1, -0.07622016
1908, 1, -0.07622016
1909, 1, -0.07622016
1910, 1, -0.07622016
1911, 1, -0.08332527
Save the edited file as beam_buckle.inp. The forces are negative to denote a compressive force
at the tip of the beam.

- 43 -

Analyze the model in ABAQUS. For this model, there may be an error as indicated in the DOS
window shown in Figure 42. If you open the beam_buckle.dat file in Notepad, you will see near
the end of this file that there is an error and it is written in the beam_buckle.msg file. Open the
beam_buckle.msg file in Notepad. You will see that five eigenvalues were found (converged) but
the rest could not be found as we were asking ABAQUS to find 10 eigenvaluee, i.e. buckling
loads. We are really only concerned with the lowest value, so this error is of no concern for this
analysis. Finding the higher buckling loads was only of academic interest.

Figure 42 - Example of a ABAQUS DOS window with an error in the model

In FEMAP,
File New
File Import Analysis Model

In the Import From popup window, select ABAQUS and click OK. In the Open popup
window, navigate to the directory where your beam_buckle.inp file is located and open
the beam_buckle.inp file.
This command imports your beam buckling model into FEMAP. Save this FEMAP file as
beam_buckle.mod .
File Import Analysis Results select ABAQUS OK select

beam_buckle.fil Open Yes

If you look in the Messages pane, you will see that FEMAP has read in 5 Output Sets.
One set for each eigenvalue (Buckling load) that was found.

- 44 -

F5 select Deform under Deformed Style and select None-Model Only under Contour
Style
Click Deformed and Contour Data
In the output set drop-down menu, select 1..Eigen 1 30049.98 Hz as shown in Figure 33.
The value denotes the first buckling load is 30049.98 N. The five values shown in the
dropdown menu list the five buckling values that were found by ABAQUS. ABAQUS
exited with an error because it only found five of the 10 that were requested in the INP
file.

Figure 43 - Postprocessing the buckling analysis

Click OK OK
The buckled shape is shown in Figure 44. This shape is distorted and appears to be
localized buckling of the thin flanges and webs and not overall Euler buckling of the
column.

- 45 -

Figure 44 - First buckling mode (30049.98 N)

Edit the model to increase the thickness of the flanges from 1 mm to 5 mm and the web from
2 mm to 4 mm. These changes can be made easily by using Notepad for editing the
beam_buckle.inp file lines. Open the beam_buckle.inp file in Notepad and save as
beam_buckle2.inp .
Change:
*SHELL SECTION, ELSET=P2, MATERIAL=M1
0.001,
** Femap with NX Nastran Property 3 : Plate2
*SHELL SECTION, ELSET=P3, MATERIAL=M1
0.002,
To be:
*SHELL SECTION, ELSET=P2, MATERIAL=M1
0.005,
** Femap with NX Nastran Property 3 : Plate2
*SHELL SECTION, ELSET=P3, MATERIAL=M1
0.004,
and save the beam_buckle2.inp. Now analyze the beam_buckle2.inp file in ABAQUS. This
time, the model runs with an error but it finds 8 eigenvalues. The thicker sections changed the
outcome.
Now postprocess the new buckling results in FEMAP.

- 46 -

In FEMAP, assuming that you still have the beam_buckle.mod file still open
Delete Output All Yes
This command deletes any output previously read and saved into your FEMAP model.
File Import Analysis Results select ABAQUS OK select

beam_buckle2.fil Open Yes

F5 select Deform under Deformed Style and select None-Model Only under Contour
Style
Click Deformed and Contour Data
In the Select PostProcessing popup window, select the first output set
1..Eigen 1 173557.9Hz as shown in Figure 45. Notice that ten eigenvalues were found
for this analysis. Hence, ABAQUS completed the analysis without error.

Figure 45 - Postprocessing the revised buckling analysis

Click OK OK F8 Isometric OK

- 47 -

The buckled shape is shown in Figure 46. The localized buckling is not present in this view and
the overall buckling looks to be Euler buckling and notice that the deflection is about the smaller
area moment of inertia.

Figure 41 - First buckling mode with increased thicknesses for the web and flanges
Note the buckling force that was applied was based on the force distribution over the nodes
resulting from an axial pull on the thinner sections. That force distribution may not be the same
as we did not increase the size of the web and the flanges by the same scale factor. Thus, the
buckling load may be slightly incorrect for this second buckling analysis. However, the
important lesson is that the finite element method can fine critical buckling loads be they local or
overall Euler buckling.

- 48 -