Linear Buckling Analysis: Chapter Seven

Chapter Seven
Linear Buckling Analysis

Chapter Overview Training Manual
• In this chapter, performing linear buckling analyses in
ANSYS Workbench – Simulation

Simulation will be covered.
– In 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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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
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… 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.
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• 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 imperfections 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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• 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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… Basics of Linear Buckling Training Manual
• For a linear buckling analysis, the eigenvalue problem

below is solved to get the buckling load multiplier li and
buckling modes yi:
K   li S y i   0
Assumptions:
– [K] and [S] are constant:
• Linear elastic material behavior is assumed
• Small deflection theory is used, and no nonlinearities included
– 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 Simulation.
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B. Buckling Analysis Procedure Training Manual
• 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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… Geometry and Material Properties Training Manual
• Similar to linear static analyses, 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
ANSYS License Availability
DesignSpace Entra x
DesignSpace x August 26, 2005
Professional x Inventory #002265
Structural x
Mechanical/Multiphysics x 7-9
… Contact Regions Training Manual
• Contact regions are available in buckling analyses.

However, since this is a purely linear analysis, contact
behavior will differ for the nonlinear contact types:
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
• It is important to note the following:

– 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.

DesignSpace Entra
Structural x
… 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 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 not recommended
– The structure should be fully constrained, no rigid-body
motion should be present in the model.

DesignSpace Entra x
Structural x
… 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 pole with self weight WO and an
externally applied force A. You can iterate, adjusting the value
of A until l = 1.0.

DesignSpace Entra x
Structural x
… Requesting Results Training Manual
• Most of the options for buckling analyses are

similar to that of static analysis.
• Simulation triggers a buckling analysis when
the Buckling tool is inserted:
– 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.
Although most users are
However, usually only a few buckling modes are only concerned with the
usually desired. 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.
DesignSpace Entra x
Structural x
… Requesting Results Training Manual
• Requested results are located under the

Buckling branch:
– Select the number of modes to find under the
Details view of the Buckling branch
– Stress, strain, or directional displacement
results can be requested 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 additional results may be requested
directly under the “Solution” branch.

DesignSpace Entra x
Structural x
… Solution Options Training Manual
• 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.
• “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 meant for the
initial static analysis.
• “Large Deflection” is not supported for
a buckling analysis.

DesignSpace Entra x
Structural x
… Solving the Model Training Manual
• After setting up the model, solve the buckling analysis via

the Solve button.
– A linear buckling analysis is more computationally expensive
than a static analysis on the same model.
– If a “Solution Information” branch
was requested, detailed solution
output is available in the Worksheet
tab of that branch
– If stress or strain results or more
buckling modes are requested after
a solution is performed, a new
solution is required.

DesignSpace Entra x
Structural x
… Reviewing Results Training Manual
• 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 applied loads
represent the critical load
– The buckling modes can be used to determine what the failure
modes may look like

DesignSpace Entra x
Structural x
Mechanical/Multiphysics x
Model shown is from a sample Inventor part. 7-17
• Interpreting the Load Multiplier (l):

– 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)
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• Interpreting the Load Multiplier (l):

Using the actual load:
BucklingLo ad  l *Unit _ Load
Using a unit load:
Actual _ Load
BucklingLo ad 
l
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• The buckling load multipliers can be reviewed in the

Worksheet tab of the Bucking 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.

DesignSpace Entra x
Structural x
C. Workshop 7 – Linear Buckling Training Manual
• Workshop 7 – 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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Linear Buckling Analysis: Chapter Seven

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Chapter Seven

Linear Buckling Analysis

• In this chapter, performing linear buckling analyses in

ANSYS Workbench – Simulation

• The capabilities described in this section are generally

• Many structures require an evaluation of their structural

ANSYS Workbench – Simulation

August 26, 2005

• Eigenvalue or linear buckling analysis predicts the

ANSYS Workbench – Simulation

August 26, 2005

• Imperfections and nonlinear behavior prevent most real

ANSYS Workbench – Simulation

August 26, 2005

• Although unconservative, linear buckling has various

ANSYS Workbench – Simulation

August 26, 2005

• For a linear buckling analysis, the eigenvalue problem

ANSYS Workbench – Simulation

• It is important to remember these assumptions related to

• The linear buckling analysis procedure is very similar to

ANSYS Workbench – Simulation

August 26, 2005

• Similar to linear static analyses, any type of geometry

ANSYS Workbench – Simulation

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

• Contact regions are available in buckling analyses.

ANSYS Workbench – Simulation

• It is important to note the following:

ANSYS License Availability

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

ANSYS Workbench – Simulation

ANSYS License Availability

• Special considerations must be given if constant and

ANSYS Workbench – Simulation

ANSYS License Availability

• Most of the options for buckling analyses are

ANSYS Workbench – Simulation

• Requested results are located under the

ANSYS Workbench – Simulation

ANSYS License Availability

• The solution branch provides details on the type of analysis

ANSYS Workbench – Simulation

ANSYS License Availability

• After setting up the model, solve the buckling analysis via

ANSYS Workbench – Simulation

ANSYS License Availability

• After the solution, the buckling modes can be reviewed

ANSYS Workbench – Simulation

ANSYS License Availability

• Interpreting the Load Multiplier (l):

ANSYS Workbench – Simulation

August 26, 2005

• Interpreting the Load Multiplier (l):

ANSYS Workbench – Simulation

BucklingLo ad  l *Unit _ Load

Using a unit load:

August 26, 2005

• The buckling load multipliers can be reviewed in the

ANSYS Workbench – Simulation

ANSYS License Availability

• Workshop 7 – Linear Buckling

ANSYS Workbench – Simulation