ANSYS Workbench Buckling

Linear Buckling Analysis
Chapter Seven
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Training Manual
February 2, 2004
Inventory #002010
7-2
Chapter Overview
In this chapter, performing linear buckling analyses in
Design Simulation will be covered.
In Design Simulation, performing a linear buckling analysis is
similar to a stress analysis.
It is assumed that the user has already covered Chapter 4
Linear Static Structural Analysis prior to this section.

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.
Harmonic and nonlinear static structural analyses are not
discussed here but in their respective chapters.
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Training Manual
February 2, 2004
Inventory #002010
7-3
Background on Buckling
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 {Ax} under essentially no
change in the load (beyond a small load perturbation).
F F
Stable Unstable
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Training Manual
February 2, 2004
Inventory #002010
7-4
Eigenvalue or linear buckling analysis predicts the
theoretical buckling strength (the bifurcation point) of an
ideal linear elastic structure.
The eigenvalue formulation determines the bifurcation
points of a 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.
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Training Manual
February 2, 2004
Inventory #002010
7-5
However, imperfections and nonlinear behavior prevent
most real world structures from achieving their theoretical
elastic buckling strength. Linear buckling generally yields
unconservative results, and should be used with caution.
Consider the buckling of a soda can:
Material response is inelastic. Geometrically nonlinear effects
need to be considered. Contact is also required. Hence, these
type of nonlinear behavior are not considered.
There may be slight imperfects in the soda can, such as a small
dent, which would influence the response and not make the model
symmetric. However, these small imperfections are also not
usually considered in a linear buckling analysis.
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Training Manual
February 2, 2004
Inventory #002010
7-6
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
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Training Manual
February 2, 2004
Inventory #002010
7-7
A. Basics of Linear Buckling
The idea behind performing linear buckling is that a
bifurcation point is sought. The bifurcation point is where
two configurations the initial geometry and a buckled
mode are both possible, signifying the onset of buckling.
A linear static analysis can include the stress stiffness matrix
[S], which is a function of the stress state:

If we consider the analysis to be linear, we can multiply the
load and the stress state by a constant :

In a buckling mode, displacements can be large (x+) without
an increase in load, so the following is also true:
| | | | ( ){ } { } F x S K = +
| | | | ( ){ } { } F x S K = +
| | | | ( ){ } { } F x S K = + +
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Training Manual
February 2, 2004
Inventory #002010
7-8
Basics of Linear Buckling
If the last two equations are subtracted from each other, the
following is the result:

The above equation is what is solved for during a linear
buckling analysis.
The buckling load multiplier is multiplied to the applied loads to
get the critical load for buckling
The buckling mode shape expresses the shape of buckling.
However, the magnitude is not known since is indeterminate.
There are actually many buckling load multipliers and modes,
although the user is usually interested in the first few modes since
these would occur before any higher buckling modes.
Note the similarity of linear buckling equation with the free
vibration equation (Chapter 5). Both are known as eigenvalue
problems which are solved for with similar matrix methods.

| | | | ( ){ } 0 = + S K
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Training Manual
February 2, 2004
Inventory #002010
7-9
For a linear buckling analysis, two solutions are
automatically performed internally:
A linear static analysis is performed first:

Based on the stress state from the static analysis, a stress
stiffness matrix [S] is calculated:

The aforementioned eigenvalue problem is then solved to get
the buckling load multiplier
i
and buckling modes
i
:
| |{ } { } F x K
o
=
| | | | S
o
o
| | | | ( ){ } 0 = +
i i
S K
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Training Manual
February 2, 2004
Inventory #002010
7-10
For a linear buckling analysis, the eigenvalue problem
below is solved to get the buckling load multiplier
i
and
buckling modes
i
:

This results in certain assumptions related to the analysis:
[K] and [S] are constant:
Linear elastic material behavior is assumed
Small deflection theory is used, and no nonlinearities included
The response based on loading {F} is a linear function of
i

Some additional restrictions:
Nonzero displacement supports or thermal loads are not allowed
It is important to remember these assumptions related to
performing linear buckling analyses in Design Simulation.
| | | | ( ){ } 0 = +
i i
S K
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Training Manual
February 2, 2004
Inventory #002010
7-11
B. Buckling Analysis Procedure
The linear buckling analysis procedure is very similar to
performing a linear static analysis, so not all steps will be
covered in detail. The steps in yellow italics are specific to
buckling analyses.
Attach Geometry
Assign Material Properties
Define Contact Regions (if applicable)
Define Mesh Controls (optional)
Include Loads and Supports
Request Buckling Results
Solve the Model
Review Results

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Training Manual
February 2, 2004
Inventory #002010
7-12
Geometry and Material Properties
Similar to linear static analyses, any type of geometry
supported by Design Simulation may be used:
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.

For material properties, Youngs Modulus and Poissons
Ratio are required as a minimum

ANSYS License Availability
DesignSpace Entra x
DesignSpace x
Professional x
Structural x
Mechanical/Multiphysics x
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Training Manual
February 2, 2004
Inventory #002010
7-13
Contact Regions
Contact regions are available in buckling analyses.
However, since this is a purely linear analysis, contact
behavior will differ for the nonlinear contact types:

It is important to note the following:
The pinball region will influence some types of contact
All nonlinear contact types are reduced to either Bonded or
No Separation contact.
No Separation contact should be used with caution in buckling
analyses, as it provides no stiffness in the tangential direction.
This may produce some superfluous buckling modes. Consider
using bonded contact instead, if appropriate.
DesignSpace Entra
DesignSpace x
Professional x
Structural x
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
Contact Type
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Training Manual
February 2, 2004
Inventory #002010
7-14
Loads and Supports
At least one structural load, which causes buckling, should
be applied to the model:
All structural loads will be multiplied by the load factor to
determine the buckling load. Hence, non-proportional or
constant loading is not directly supported (see next slide)
No Given Displacement supports are allowed
No Thermal loading is allowed
Compression-only supports are nonlinear, so they are not
recommended for use in buckling analyses
The structure should also be fully constrained
No rigid-body motion should be present in the model. Be sure
to constrain the model appropriately.
DesignSpace Entra x
DesignSpace x
Professional x
Structural x
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Training Manual
February 2, 2004
Inventory #002010
7-15
Loads and Supports
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 pole with self weight W
O
and an
externally applied force A. You can iterate, adjusting the value
of A until = 1.0.

DesignSpace Entra x
DesignSpace x
Professional x
Structural x
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Training Manual
February 2, 2004
Inventory #002010
7-16
Requesting Results
Most of the options for buckling analyses
are similar to that of static analysis.
However, Design Simulation knows to
perform a buckling analysis when the
Buckling tool is selected under the
Solutions Branch:
The Buckling tool adds another branch to
the Solutions branch
The Details view of the Buckling branch
allows the user to specify the number of
buckling modes to find. The default is to
find the first buckling mode. Increasing the
number of modes to calculate will increase
the solution time. However, usually only a
few buckling modes are usually desired.
DesignSpace Entra x
DesignSpace x
Professional x
Structural x
Although most users are only
concerned with the first
buckling mode, it is generally
a good idea to request the
first 2 or 3 buckling modes.
There may be closely-space
buckling modes, so this
would tell the user if the
model may be susceptible to
more than one failure mode.
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Training Manual
February 2, 2004
Inventory #002010
7-17
Requesting Results
Requested results are located under the
Buckling branch:
The buckling modes are controlled by the
number of modes to find under the Details
view of the Buckling branch
Stress, strain, or directional displacement
results can be requested additionally under
the Buckling branch
The buckling mode is specified for each stress,
strain, or displacement result requested
If stresses or strains are requested for a model
already solved, another solution is required.
No result may be requested directly under
the Solution branch.
DesignSpace Entra x
DesignSpace x
Professional x
Structural x
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Training Manual
February 2, 2004
Inventory #002010
7-18
Requesting Results
The corresponding ANSYS commands for the Buckling tool
are as follows:
A static analysis with PSTRES,ON is performed first
A buckling analysis (ANTYPE,1) is then run with PSTRES,ON
The buckling modes is set with BUCOPT,LANB,nmodes
The eigenvalue extraction method is always set to Block Lanczos,
regardless of the Solver Type setting in the Solutions branch
Output requests are limited to what is requested
If any stress or strain results are requested for any modes, the
stress results are expanded with MXPAND,,,,YES. Otherwise,
MXPAND is not used.

Advanced ANSYS Details
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Training Manual
February 2, 2004
Inventory #002010
7-19
Solution Options
The solution branch provides details on the type of analysis
being performed
For a buckling analysis, none of the options in the Details view
of the Solution branch usually need to be changed.
In the majority of cases, Solver Type should be left on the default
option of Program Controlled. It only controls the solver used in
the initial static analysis but not the buckling solution method.
Weak springs is also meant for the
initial static analysis.
Large Deflection is not supported for
a buckling analysis.
The Analysis Type will display
Buckling for the case of a
linear buckling analysis.

DesignSpace Entra x
DesignSpace x
Professional x
Structural x
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Training Manual
February 2, 2004
Inventory #002010
7-20
Solution Options
For a linear buckling analysis, none of the solution options
have effect. These affect the initial static analysis only.
Solver Type can be set to Direct or Iterative, but it only
sets the equation solver for the static analysis (EQSLV), not
the buckling eigenvalue extraction method (BUCOPT)
Weak Springs are meant for the initial static analysis
One can use weak spring option to automatically add COMBIN14
elements for the initial static analysis, but keep in mind that these
elements will also be present for the buckling analysis.
Large Deflection is not supported for a linear buckling
analysis
Advanced ANSYS Details
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Training Manual
February 2, 2004
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7-21
Solving the Model
After setting up the model, one can solve the buckling
analysis just like any other analysis by selecting the Solve
button.
A linear buckling analysis is more computationally expensive
than a static analysis on the same model. This is because a
static analysis and a buckling analysis are both performed.
The Worksheet tab of the Solution
branch provides detailed solution
output, including the amount of
memory being used and how many
modes have been extracted already.
If stress or strain results or more
buckling modes are requested after
a solution is performed, a new
solution is required.
DesignSpace Entra x
DesignSpace x
Professional x
Structural x
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Training Manual
February 2, 2004
Inventory #002010
7-22
Reviewing Results
After the solution, the buckling modes can be reviewed
The Load Multiplier for each buckling mode is shown in the
Details view. The load multiplier times the actual loads
represent the critical load.
The buckling modes represent relative values, not absolute
magnitudes. However, these can be used to determine what
the failure modes may look like.
DesignSpace Entra x
DesignSpace x
Professional x
Structural x
Model shown is from a sample Inventor assembly.
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Training Manual
February 2, 2004
Inventory #002010
7-23
Reviewing Results
The buckling load multipliers can be reviewed in the
Worksheet tab of the Bucking branch.
All requested modes will be summarized in the table below
As mentioned earlier, it may be advisable to request more than
just the first buckling mode. This allows the user to see if the
structure may be able to buckle in more than one way under a
given applied load.
DesignSpace Entra x
DesignSpace x
Professional x
Structural x
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Training Manual
February 2, 2004
Inventory #002010
7-24
C. Workshop 7
Workshop 7 Linear Buckling
Goal:
Verify linear buckling results in ANSYS Workbench for the pipe
model shown below. Results will be compared to closed form
calculations from a handbook.

ANSYS Workbench Buckling

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