Geometrically and Physically Non-Linear GBT-Based Analysis of Thin-Walled Steel Members

<p>This paper presents and illustrates the application of an elastic-plastic Generalised Beam Theory (GBT) formulation, based on J₂-flow plasticity theory, that makes it possible to perform physically and geometrically non-linear (post-buckling) analyses of prismatic thin-walled members (i) with arbitrary cross-section shapes, (ii) exhibiting any type of deformation pattern (global, local, distortional, warping, shear), (iii) made from non-linear materials with isotropic strain-hardening and (iv) containing initial imperfections, namely residual stresses and/or geometric imperfections, having generic distributions. After providing a brief overview of the main GBT assumptions, kinematical relations and equilibrium equations, the development of a novel non-linear beam finite element (FE) is addressed in some detail. Moreover, its application is illustrated through the presentation and discussion of numerical results concerning the post-buckling behaviour of a fixed-ended I-section steel column exhibiting local initial geometrical imperfections, namely (i) non-linear equilibrium paths, (ii) displacement profiles, (iii) stress diagrams/distributions and (iv) deformed configurations. For validation purposes, the GBT results are also compared with values yielded by Abaqus rigorous shell FE analyses.</p>

Geometrically and Physically Non-Linear GBT-Based Analysis of Thin-Walled Steel Members

<p>This paper presents and illustrates the application of an elastic-plastic Generalised Beam Theory (GBT) formulation, based on J₂-flow plasticity theory, that makes it possible to perform physically and geometrically non-linear (post-buckling) analyses of prismatic thin-walled members (i) with arbitrary cross-section shapes, (ii) exhibiting any type of deformation pattern (global, local, distortional, warping, shear), (iii) made from non-linear materials with isotropic strain-hardening and (iv) containing initial imperfections, namely residual stresses and/or geometric imperfections, having generic distributions. After providing a brief overview of the main GBT assumptions, kinematical relations and equilibrium equations, the development of a novel non-linear beam finite element (FE) is addressed in some detail. Moreover, its application is illustrated through the presentation and discussion of numerical results concerning the post-buckling behaviour of a fixed-ended I-section steel column exhibiting local initial geometrical imperfections, namely (i) non-linear equilibrium paths, (ii) displacement profiles, (iii) stress diagrams/distributions and (iv) deformed configurations. For validation purposes, the GBT results are also compared with values yielded by Abaqus rigorous shell FE analyses.</p>

Post-buckling inelastic analysis of thin-walled metal members using the Generalised Beam Theory

A 2nd order inelastic Generalised Beam Theory (GBT) formulation based on the J2 flow theory is proposed, being a promising alternative to the shell finite element method. Its application is illustrated for an I-section beam and a lipped-C column. GBT results were validated against ABAQUS, namely concerning equilibrium paths, deformed configurations, and displacement profiles. It was concluded that the GBT modal nature allows (i) precise results with only 22% of the number of dof required in ABAQUS, as well as (ii) the understanding (by means of modal participation diagrams) of the behavioral mechanics in any elastoplastic stage of member deformation .

Geometrically and Physically Non-Linear GBT-Based Analysis of Thin-Walled Steel Members

This paper presents and illustrates the application of an elastic-plastic Generalised Beam Theory (GBT) formulation, based on J2-flow plasticity theory, that makes it possible to perform physically and geometrically non-linear (post-buckling) analyses of prismatic thin-walled members (i) with arbitrary cross-section shapes, (ii) exhibiting any type of deformation pattern (global, local, distortional, warping, shear), (iii) made from non-linear materials with isotropic strain-hardening and (iv) containing initial imperfections, namely residual stresses and/or geometric imperfections, having generic distributions. After providing a brief overview of the main GBT assumptions, kinematical relations and equilibrium equations, the development of a novel non-linear beam finite element (FE) is addressed in some detail. Moreover, its application is illustrated through the presentation and discussion of numerical results concerning the post-buckling behaviour of a fixed-ended I-section steel column exhibiting local initial geometrical imperfections, namely (i) non-linear equilibrium paths, (ii) displacement profiles, (iii) stress diagrams/distributions and (iv) deformed configurations. For validation purposes, the GBT results are also compared with values yielded by ABAQUS rigorous shell FE analyses.

Elastoplastic analysis of thin-walled bars in the context of Generalised Beam Theory

A formulation of the Generalised Beam Theory (GBT) is presented for the 1st order inelastic analysis of thin-walled steel bars subjected to arbitrary loading and boundary conditions. Five illustrative examples are shown to validate the theory for cases involving global deformation only, namely uniform bending, non-uniform bending, combined bending and axial compression, and non-uniform torsion. Lastly, the results are validated against ABAQUS using beam and shell finite element models. The correlation is typically great concerning equilibrium paths, deformed configurations, and stress diagrams. In those cases where results do not compare so well, possible causes are pointed out.

Geometrically and Materially Non-Linear GBT Analysis of Tubular Thin-Walled Metal Members

After providing a brief overview of a recently developed and validated elastoplastic post-buckling Generalised Beam Theory (GBT) formulation, the paper presents and discusses illustrative numerical results concerning three tubular members exhibiting bi-linear and non-linear material behaviours. The GBT results consist of equilibrium paths, modal participation diagrams, stress contours, displacement profiles and collapse mechanisms, most of which are compared with values obtained from Abaqus shell finite element analyses. The GBT modal nature makes it possible to (i) acquire in-depth knowledge about the member behavioural mechanics at any given equilibrium state (elastic or elastic-plastic), as well as (ii) evidence the GBT computational efficiency (d.o.f. reduction of over 75%), partly due to the exclusion from the analyses of all deformation modes playing no role in a given member response.