Ex.

No: 22 BUCKLING ANALYSIS IN ANSYS

Date :

Introduction
Buckling loads are critical loads where certain types of structures become unstable. Each
load has an associated buckled mode shape; this is the shape that the structure assumes in
a buckled condition. There are two primary means to perform a buckling analysis:
1. Eigenvalue
Eigenvalue buckling analysis predicts the theoretical buckling strength of an ideal elastic
structure. It computes the structural eigenvalues for the given system loading and
constraints. This is known as classical Euler buckling analysis. Buckling loads for several
configurations are readily available from tabulated solutions. However, in real-life,
structural imperfections and nonlinearities prevent most real-world structures from
reaching their eigenvalue predicted buckling strength; ie. it over-predicts the expected
buckling loads. This method is not recommended for accurate, real-world buckling
prediction analysis.
2. Nonlinear
Nonlinear buckling analysis is more accurate than eigenvalue analysis because it employs
non-linear, large deflection, static analysis to predict buckling loads. Its mode of operation
is very simple: it gradually increases the applied load until a load level is found whereby
the structure becomes unstable (ie. suddenly a very small increase in the load will cause
very large deflections). The true non-linear nature of this analysis thus permits
the modeling of geometric imperfections, load perterbations, material nonlinearities and
gaps. For this type of analysis, note that small off-axis loads are necessary to initiate the
desired buckling mode.

147
This tutorial will use a steel beam with a 10 mm X 10 mm cross section, rigidly constrained at
the bottom. The required load to cause buckling, applied at the top-center of the beam, will be
calculated.
Eigenvalue Buckling Analysis
Preprocessing: Defining the Problem
Open preprocessor menu
/PREP7
2. Give example a Title
Utility Menu > File > Change Title ...
/title,Eigen-Value Buckling Analysis
3. Define Keypoints
Preprocessor > Modeling > Create > Keypoints > In Active CS ...
We are going to define 2 Keypoints for this beam as given in the following table:
Keypoints Coordinates (x,y)

148
4. Create Lines
Preprocess or > Modeling > Create > Lines > Lines > In Active Coord
Create a line joining Keypoints 1 and 2
5. Define the Type of Element
Preprocessor > Element Type > Add/Edit/Delete...
For this problem we will use the BEAM3 (Beam 2D elastic) element. This element has 3 degrees
of freedom (translation along the X and Y axes, and rotation about the Z axis).
6. Define Real Constants
Preprocessor > Real Constants... > Add...
In the 'Real Constants for BEAM3' window, enter the following geometric properties:
i. Cross-sectional area AREA: 100
ii. Area moment of inertia IZZ: 833.333
iii. Total Beam Height HEIGHT: 10
This defines a beam with a height of 10 mm and a width of 10 mm.
7. Define Element Material Properties
Preprocessor > Material Props > Material Models > Structural > Linear > Elastic > Isotropic
In the window that appears, enter the following geometric properties for steel:
i. Young's modulus EX: 200000
ii. Poisson's Ratio PRXY: 0.3
8. Define Mesh Size
Preprocessor > Meshing > Size Cntrls > ManualSize > Lines > All Lines...
For this example we will specify an element edge length of 10 mm (10 element divisions along
the line).
9. Mesh the frame
Preprocessor > Meshing > Mesh > Lines > click 'Pick All'
LMESH,ALL
Solution Phase: Assigning Loads and Solving
1. Define Analysis Type
Solution > Analysis Type > New Analysis > Static

149
2. Activate prestress effects
To perform an eigenvalue buckling analysis, prestress effects must be activated.
You must first ensure that you are looking at the unabridged solution menu so that you can
select Analysis Options in the Analysis Type submenu. The last option in the solution menu
will either be 'Unabridged menu' (which means you are currently looking at the abridged
version) or 'Abriged Menu' (which means you are looking at the unabridged menu). If you are
looking at the abridged menu, select the unabridged version.
Select Solution > Analysis Type > Analysis Options
In the following window, change the [SSTIF][PSTRES] item to 'Prestress ON', which ensures
the stress stiffness matrix is calculated. This is required in eigenvalue buckling analysis.

3. Apply Constraints
Solution > Define Loads > Apply > Structural > Displacement > On Keypoints
Fix Keypoint 1 (ie all DOF constrained).

150
4. Apply Loads
Solution > Define Loads > Apply > Structural > Force/Moment > On Keypoints
The eigen value solver uses a unit force to determine the necessary buckling load. Applying a load
other than 1 will scale the answer by a factor of the load.
Apply a vertical (FY) point load of -1 N to the top of the beam (keypoint 2).
The applied loads and constraints should now appear as shown in the figure below.

5. Solve the System

Solution > Solve > Current LS
SOLVE
6. Exit the Solution processor
Close the solution menu and click FINISH at the bottom of the Main Menu.
Normally at this point you enter the post processing phase. However, with a buckling analysis you
must reenter the solution phase and specify the buckling analysis. Be sure to close the solution
menu and re-enter it or the buckling analysis may not function properly.
7. Define Analysis Type
Solution > Analysis Type > New Analysis > Eigen Buckling
8. Specify Buckling Analysis Options
Select Solution > Analysis Type > Analysis Options
Complete the window which appears, as shown below. Select 'Block Lanczos' as an extraction
method and extract 1 mode. The 'Block Lanczos' method is used for large symmetric eigenvalue

151
problems and uses the sparse matrix solver. The 'Subspace' method could also be used, however it
tends to converge slower as it is a more robust solver. In more complex analyses the Block Lanczos
method may not be adequate and the Subspace method would have to be used.

9. Solve the System

Solution > Solve > Current LS
10. Exit the Solution processor
Close the solution menu and click FINISH at the bottom of the Main Menu.
Again it is necessary to exit and re-enter the solution phase. This time, however, is for an expansion
pass. An expansion pass is necessary if you want to review the buckled mode shape(s).
11. Expand the solution
Select Solution > Analysis Type > Expansion Pass... and ensure that it is on. You may have to
select the 'Unabridged Menu' again to make this option visible.
Select Solution > Load Step Opts > ExpansionPass > Single Expand > Expand Modes ...
Complete the following window as shown to expand the first mode.

152
12. Solve the System
Solution > Solve > Current LS
SOLVE

Postprocessing: Viewing the Results

1. View the Buckling Load
To display the minimum load required to buckle the beam select General Postproc > List
Results > Detailed Summary. The value listed under 'TIME/FREQ' is the load (41,123), which
is in Newtons for this example. If more than one mode was selected in the steps above, the
corresponding loads would be listed here as well.
2. Display the Mode Shape
Select General Postproc > Read Results > Last Set to bring up the data for the last mode
calculated. Select General Postproc > Plot Results > Deformed Shape

153
Ex. No: 22 NON-LINEAR BUCKLING ANALYSIS IN ANSYS
Date :

Buckling analysis
2. Give example a Title
Utility Menu > File > Change Title ...
/TITLE, Nonlinear Buckling Analysis
3. Create Keypoints
Preprocessor > Modeling > Create > Keypoints > In Active CS
K,#,X,Y
We are going to define 2 keypoints (the beam vertices) for this structure to create a beam with a
length of 100 millimeters:
Keypoint Coordinates (x,y)

4. Define Lines
Preprocessor > Modeling > Create > Lines > Lines > Straight Line
Create a line between Keypoint 1 and Keypoint 2.
L,1,2
5. Define Element Types
Preprocessor > Element Type > Add/Edit/Delete...
For this problem we will use the BEAM3 (Beam 2D elastic) element. This element has 3 degrees
of freedom (translation along the X and Y axis's, and rotation about the Z axis). With only 3 degrees
of freedom, the BEAM3 element can only be used in 2D analysis.
6. Define Real Constants
Preprocessor > Real Constants... > Add...
In the 'Real Constants for BEAM3' window, enter the following geometric properties
i. Cross-sectional area AREA: 100
ii. Area Moment of Inertia IZZ: 833.333

154
iii. Total beam height HEIGHT: 10
This defines an element with a solid rectangular cross section 10 x 10 millimeters.
7. Define Element Material Properties
Preprocessor > Material Props > Material Models > Structural > Linear > Elastic > Isotropic
In the window that appears, enter the following geometric properties for steel:
i. Young's modulus EX: 200e3
ii. Poisson's Ratio PRXY: 0.3
8. Define Mesh Size
Preprocessor > Meshing > Size Cntrls > Lines > All Lines...
For this example we will specify an element edge length of 1 mm (100 element divisions along
the line).
ESIZE,1
9. Mesh the frame
Preprocessor > Meshing > Mesh > Lines > click 'Pick All'
LMESH,ALL
Solution: Assigning Loads and Solving
1. Define Analysis Type
Solution > New Analysis > Static
ANTYPE,0
2. Set Solution Controls
Select Solution > Analysis Type > Sol'n Control
The following image will appear

155
Ensure the following selections are made under the 'Basic' tab (as shown above)
A. Ensure Large Static Displacements are permitted (this will include the effects of large deflection
in the results)
B. Ensure Automatic time stepping is on. Automatic time stepping allows ANSYS to determine
appropriate sizes to break the load steps into. Decreasing the step size usually ensures better
accuracy, however, this takes time. The Automatic Time Step feature will determine an appropriate
balance. This feature also activates the ANSYS bisection feature which will allow recovery if
convergence fails.
C. Enter 20 as the number of substeps. This will set the initial substep to 1/20 th of the total load.
D. Enter a maximum number of substeps of 1000. This stops the program if the solution does not
converge after 1000 steps.
E. Enter a minimum number of substeps of 1.
F. Ensure all solution items are written to a results file.
Ensure the following selection is made under the 'Nonlinear' tab (as shown below)
A. Ensure Line Search is 'On'. This option is used to help the Newton-Raphson solver converge.
B. Ensure Maximum Number of Iterations is set to 1000

156
NOTE
There are several options which have not been changed from their default values. For more
information about these commands, type help followed by the command into the command line.
3. Apply Constraints
Solution > Define Loads > Apply > Structural > Displacement > On Keypoints
Fix Keypoint 1 (ie all DOFs constrained).
4. Apply Loads
Solution > Define Loads > Apply > Structural > Force/Moment > On Keypoints
Place a -50,000 N load in the FY direction on the top of the beam (Keypoint 2). Also apply a -250
N load in the FX direction on Keypoint 2. This horizontal load will persuade the beam to buckle
at the minimum buckling load.
The model should now look like the window shown below.

157
5. Solve the System
Solution > Solve > Current LS
SOLVE
The following will appear on your screen for NonLinear Analyses

This shows the convergence of the solution.

158
General Postprocessing: Viewing the Results
1. View the deformed shape
To view the element in 2D rather than a line: Utility Menu > PlotCtrls > Style > Size and Shape
and turn 'Display of element' ON (as shown below).

General Postproc > Plot Results > Deformed Shape... > Def + undeformed

159
View the deflection contour plot
General Postproc > Plot Results > Contour Plot > Nodal Solu... > DOF solution, UY

Time History Postprocessing: Viewing the Results

160
1. Define Variables
Select: Main Menu > TimeHist Postpro. The following window should open
automatically

If it does not open automatically, select Main Menu > TimeHist Postpro > Variable
Viewer
Click the add button in the upper left corner of the window to add a variable.
Double-click Nodal Solution > DOF Solution > Y-Component of displacement
(as shown below) and click OK. Pick the uppermost node on the beam and click
OK in the 'Node for Data' window

161
 To add another variable, click the add button again. This time select Reaction Forces >
Structural Forces > Y-Component of Force. Pick the lowermost node on the beam and click
OK.
On the Time History Variable window, click the circle in the 'X-Axis' column for FY_3.
This will make the reaction force the x-variable. The Time History Variables window should
now look like this:

2. Graph Results over Time

Click on UY_2 in the Time History Variables window.

162
 Click the graphing button in the Time History Variables window.
The labels on the plot are not updated by ANSYS, so you must change them manually.
Select Utility
Menu > Plot Ctrls > Style > Graphs > Modify Axes and re-label the X and Y-axis
appropriately

The plot shows how the beam became unstable and buckled with a load of
approximately 40,000 N, the point where a large deflection occured due to a small
increase in force. This is slightly less than the eigen-value solution of 41,123 N, which
was expected due to non-linear geometry issues discussed above.

163