Linear Buckling Analysis: Workbench - Mechanical Introduction 12.0

Workbench - Mechanical Introduction 12.
Chapter 7
Linear Buckling Analysis
ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary February 23, 2009

© 2009 ANSYS, Inc. All rights reserved. 7-1 Inventory #002593
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 Analysis 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.

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 F
Stable Unstable

Linear Buckling
… Background on Buckling Training Manual
• Eigenvalue or linear buckling analysis predicts the theoretical

buckling strength of an ideal linear elastic structure.
• This method corresponds to the textbook approach of linear elastic
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.
Linear buckling generally yields unconservative results.
• Linear buckling will not account for:
– Material response that is inelastic.
– Nonlinear effects.
– Imperfections in the structure which are not modeled (dents etc.).

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 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
– Linear buckling can be used as a design tool to determine what the
possible buckling mode shapes may be.
• The way in which a structure may buckle can be used as a possible guide in
design

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 Simulation.

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.
– Attach Geometry
– Assign Material Properties
– Define Contact Regions (if applicable)
– Define Mesh Controls (optional)
– Include Loads and Supports
– Solve Static Structural Analysis
– Link a Linear Buckling Analysis
– Set Initial Conditions
– Request Results
– Solve the Model
– Review Results

Linear Buckling
… Geometry and Material Properties Training Manual
• Any type of geometry supported by Simulation 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, Young’s Modulus and Poisson’s Ratio are

required as a minimum

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).
Linear Buckling Analysis

Contact Type
Initially Touching Inside Pinball Region Outside Pinball Region
Bonded Bonded Bonded Free
No Separation No Separation No Separation Free
Rough Bonded Free Free
Frictionless No Separation Free Free

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

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, 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 .

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.

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.

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 loads represent the predicted buckling load.
Fbuckle = (Fapplied x )

Linear Buckling
• 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)

Linear Buckling
• Interpreting the Load Multiplier ():
BucklingLoad   *Unit _ Load

 BucklingLoad  
BucklingLoad   * Actual _ Load

BuclingLoad
    Safety _ Factor
Actual _ Load

Linear Buckling
• The buckling load multipliers can be reviewed in the “Timeline”

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

Linear Buckling
C. Workshop 7 - 1 – Linear Buckling Training Manual
• Workshop 7 - 1 – Linear Buckling

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


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Workbench - Mechanical Introduction 12.

Linear Buckling Analysis

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary February 23, 2009

• In this chapter, performing linear buckling analyses in Mechanical

• The capabilities described in this section are generally applicable

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary February 23, 2009

• Many structures require an evaluation of their structural stability.

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary February 23, 2009

• Eigenvalue or linear buckling analysis predicts the theoretical

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary February 23, 2009

• Although unconservative, linear buckling has various advantages:

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary February 23, 2009

• For a linear buckling analysis, the eigenvalue problem below is

• It is important to remember these assumptions related to performing

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary February 23, 2009

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

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary February 23, 2009

• Any type of geometry supported by Simulation may be used in

• For material properties, Young’s Modulus and Poisson’s Ratio are

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary February 23, 2009

• Contact regions are available in free vibration analyses,

Linear Buckling Analysis

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary February 23, 2009

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

F x = Buckling Load

In a buckling analysis all applied

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary February 23, 2009

• Special considerations must be given if constant and proportional

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary February 23, 2009

Buckling analyses are always coupled to a structural analysis within

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary February 23, 2009

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary February 23, 2009

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

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary February 23, 2009

• Interpreting the Load Multiplier ():

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary February 23, 2009

• Interpreting the Load Multiplier ():

BucklingLoad   *Unit _ Load

BucklingLoad   * Actual _ Load

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary February 23, 2009

• The buckling load multipliers can be reviewed in the “Timeline”

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary February 23, 2009

• Workshop 7 - 1 – Linear Buckling

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary February 23, 2009

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