Nonlinear Elastic Spline Finite Strip Analysis for Thin-Walled Sections

摘要

A nonlinear elastic analysis based on the spline finite strip method has been developed for studying the post-buckling behavior of thin-walled sections. The method can handle local, distortional and overall buckling modes in the post-buckling range and the interaction between them. It allows for geometic imperfections, arbitary loading and non-simple boundary conditions. By comparison, the semi-analytical finite strip method is restricted to simply supported end boundary conditions and a single buckle half-wavelength. The two incremental-iterative strategies adopted in the nonlinear analysis are the arc-length method and the improved iteration method based on displacement control. Switching between load and displacement control can occur automatically as the need arises in an analysis.