Buckling of an Arch

Outline

1 Description 3
2 Finite Element Model 4
2.1 Geometry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.2 Boundary Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.3 Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.4 Loads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.5 Mesh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
3 Structural Stability Analysis 10
3.1 Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3.2 Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Appendix A Additional Information 12

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1 Description

We analyze an arch structure as an example of an Euler buckling analysis. Figure 1 shows the geometry and input data of the model. The used units are newton [N] and meter [m]. The
vertical displacement uY of node 3 is the only actual degree of freedom, since the displacement of nodes 1 and 2 are restrained. Due to symmetry the horizontal displacement ux of node 3 is
zero. Application of a load F leads to a vertical displacement of node 3.

Figure 1: Geometry and input data

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2 Finite Element Model
We start a new project for a two-dimensional structural analysis. The Model Size is set to 1 km. The used units are depicted in Figure 4.
DianaIE

Main menu File New [Fig. 2]

Geometry browser Reference system Units [Fig. 3]
Property Panel [Fig. 4]

Figure 2: New project dialog Figure 3: Geometry browser - units Figure 4: Property panel - Units

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2.1 Geometry
We create two lines representing the arch.

DianaIE

Main menu Geometry Create Add line [Fig. 5]

Main menu Geometry Create Add line [Fig. 6]

Figure 5: Add line 1 Figure 6: Add line 2 Figure 7: Geometry view

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2.2 Boundary Conditions
We create supports at the left and right end of the structure. We constrain the translation in X and Y direction.
DianaIE

Main menu Geometry Assign Add supports [Fig. 8]

Figure 8: Application of the supports Figure 9: View supports

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2.3 Properties
We give the lines material and geometrical properties. The element class is Enhanced Truss 2D. The following material parameters are chosen: Young’s modulus E = 2.1E+5 N/m2 and
Poisson’s ratio ν = 0. For the geometry a cross-section of 1 m2 is chosen.
DianaIE

Main menu Geometry Assign Shape Properties [Fig. 10] [Fig. 14]
Shape Properties Material Add material [Fig. 11] Edit material [Fig. 12]
Shape Properties Geometry Add new geometry [Fig. 13]

Figure 11: Add new material Arch

Figure 10: Property assignment - lines Figure 12: Edit material Arch Figure 13: Edit line geometry Figure 14: Property assignment -: lines

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2.4 Loads
The loading consists of a point load of 1000 N in the negative Y direction.
DianaIE

Main menu Geometry Assign Add loads [Fig. 15]

Figure 15: Attach point load Figure 16: View of the applied loads

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2.5 Mesh
We create a mesh by using Divisions and set the corresponding value equal to 1.
DianaIE

Main menu Geometry Assign Mesh properties [Fig. 17]

Main menu Geometry Generate mesh

Figure 17: Mesh properties

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3 Structural Stability Analysis
3.1 Commands
We set up the commands for a Structural stability analysis.
DianaIE

Main menu Analysis Add analysis [Fig. 18]

Analysis browser Analysis1 Add command Structural stability
Analysis browser Analysis1 Structural stability Eigenvalue analysis Define stability analysis Edit properties [Fig. 19] [Fig. 20]
Main menu Analysis Run selected analysis

Figure 18: Analysis browser Figure 19: Analysis browser Figure 20: Properties stability analysis

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3.2 Results
The Message window gives us the information that the analysis is finished. The buckling value gives the multiplication factor for the point load of 1000 N at which the buckling of the arch
occurs and is displayed in Figure 21.
DianaIE

Results browser Analysis1 Output eigenvalue analysis Nodal results Displacements TDtXYZ [Fig. 22]

Figure 21: Obtained buckling value Figure 22: Buckling mode

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Appendix A Additional Information

Folder: Tutorials/BucklingArch

Number of elements ≈ 2

Keywords:
analys: euler stabil.
constr: suppor.
elemen: enhanc l4tru truss.
load: force node.
materi: elasti isotro.
option: direct.
post: binary ndiana.
pre: dianai.
result: buckli displa modes values.

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