5.

Consideration of geometrical nonlinear analysis

5.1 General.

Geometric nonlinear effects are usually considered in the analysis when the structure is flexible
and hence large displacements are anticipated and when the axial loads in the structural members
are heavy enough to cause the p-delta effects. Every finite element computational software handles
geometrical nonlinearity in the same way at the conceptual level but it is important to verify the
practical application of such a complex computation before using the software. This chapter throws
light on the way MIDAS Civil handles geometrical nonlinearity with the help of few simplified
numerical examples.

5.2 Scope

Simplified examples of cantilever beam and freestanding column have been presented in this
chapter to show the approach of MIDAS Civil towards consideration of large displacement effects
and p-delta effects respectively. Construction stage analysis of cantilever beam has been illustrated
which helps in understanding the consideration of geometric nonlinear effects during the
construction stage analysis. The results obtained from the analyses of these simplified models have
been compared with results presented in the published literature with the exactly same problem
definition.

5.3 Verification examples.

5.3.1 Cantilever beam.

Belendez et al. [8] have presented experimental and numerical analysis results of classical problem
of deflection of a cantilever beam of linear elastic material under uniformly distributed load along
its length due to its self-weight and an external vertical concentrated load at the free end. The
results of same problem as analyzed on MIDAS Civil have been compared with the results
presented in the paper.

Problem definition:

Section properties: Steel Scale -25mm 0.4mm.

Length: 0.4 m.
Material properties: E= 194.3 GPa.

Loading:

w= 0.0758 N/m Self weight distributed over the length of beam.

F= 0.588N concentrated tip load; This load is applied in seven increments for nonlinear analysis.

Boundary condition: Fixed at one end and free at other.

F y- EXP y- ANSYS y- MIDAS y-Linear y-Theoretical

(N) (m) (m) (m) (m) (m)
0.000 0.089 0.090 0.090 0.094 0.094
0.098 0.149 0.152 0.157 0.174 0.174
0.196 0.195 0.196 0.210 0.255 0.255
0.294 0.227 0.227 0.251 0.336 0.336
0.392 0.251 0.250 0.281 0.416 0.416
0.490 0.268 0.266 0.304 0.497 0.497
0.588 0.281 0.279 0.322 0.578 0.578
 0.700

0.600

0.500

0.400
y (m)

0.300

0.200

0.100

0.000
0.000 0.100 0.200 0.300 0.400 0.500 0.600 0.700
F(N)

EXP ANYSYS MIDAS Linear Theoretical

By comparison of results it can be observed the deflection values obtained by MIDAS Civil are in
close agreement with those presented in the paper. There are slight variations in the deflection
values near the cantilever tip which are not considerable.