How to read buckling results?

To understand the results of the analysis, please read the recommended documents,
such as the Theoretical Background or Global buckling vs. local buckling. What does it
mean? article, or Buckling needs critical thinking! blogpost.

Theoretical Background

Steel joint buckling analysis

Buckling is usually not an important issue in joints. However, it should be checked that
there are no buckling issues and that the results of strength analysis, which uses only
geometrically linear analysis, are correct.

IDEA StatiCa Connection can perform linear buckling analysis of a model of a joint.
The results are predicted in buckling modes. Critical load, at which buckling of the
perfect model occurs, is calculated for each buckling mode. Critical load is presented
by multipliers of the load acting on the joint. According to the buckling mode and
critical load multiplier, the user can determine the safe buckling design.

Some codes, e.g. Eurocode (EN 1993-1-1, Chapter 5.2.1), recommend a critical load
multiplier higher than 15 for bar models of structures. If the critical load multiplier is
higher than 15, the code does not require a buckling check of members.

For joints, the matter is different, and the code does not provide any specific
recommendation. The design of local buckling must be tackled in another way.
Generally, the local buckling may be divided into three groups:

1. Plates connecting individual members

2. Stiffening plates in the joint – stiffeners, ribs, short haunches
3. Closed sections and thin-walled sections

1- The buckling of plates from group 1 affects the buckling shape of the whole
member. Therefore, it is recommended to apply the same rules as for these members
also to these plates, i.e., consider safe critical load multiplier 15 and higher. The
engineer should verify that the real execution of the joint corresponds to the
boundary conditions of the model used for buckling analysis of the whole structure.

2- Plates from group 2 affect the local buckling of the joint. For such plates, the safe
boundary of critical load multiplier 15 is conservative, but specific guidance is missing
in codes. The guidance is provided by research papers that recommend a safe
boundary of critical load multiplier equal to 3.

3- Buckling of plates and members from group 3 is very problematic, and individual
assessment of each particular case is necessary.
How to read buckling results?
For plates with a critical load multiplier smaller than suggested values (15 for group 1,
3 for group 2), plastic design cannot be used. Other methods that are not offered by
IDEA StatiCa are necessary for their check.

The result of buckling analysis in IDEA StatiCa Connection is not a definite check. The
codes do not give sufficient guidance. The assessment requires engineering judgment
and IDEA StatiCa provides unique tools not available in standard design software.

Gusset plate as an elongation of a truss – example of the plate from group 1 for which
buckling can be neglected if the critical buckling factor is higher than 15

Examples of buckling shapes of plates from group 2 where the buckling can be
neglected if the critical buckling factor is higher than 3

The model used for buckling analysis is supported by different supports than set by
the user in stress, strain analysis type (EPS). The bearing member stays fully supported.
Model type of a beam set as N-Vy-Vz-Mx-My-Mz (free to move in stress, strain analysis
How to read buckling results?
type) is fully supported in buckling analysis. All other beam analysis types have
restrained bending moments and normal force but are free to move sideways.

 Model type N-Vy-Vz-Mx-My-Mz: supports in buckling model: N-Vy-Vz-Mx-My-

Mz
 Model type N-Vy-Vz: supports in buckling model: N-Mx-My-Mz
 Model type N-Vz-My: supports in buckling model: N-Mx-My-Mz
 Model type N-Vy-Mz: supports in buckling model: N-Mx-My-Mz

It is assumed that in case of rigid joint, user sets the bending moment and the
buckling of the short beam segment is not relevant. On the other hand, in the case of
the pinned joint, user sets only normal and shear force and no bending moment, but
the buckling of the pinned member is relevant, so it contributes to the buckling factor.
See the figure below. "Model" shows the model in the stress-strain analysis type, and
"Buckling" shows the model in the buckling analysis.
How to read buckling results?

Global buckling vs. local buckling. What does it mean?

Let´s clarify global and local buckling. What is the difference?

We consider global buckling for members, including the connection (e.g. fin plate),
while detailed buckling checks can be neglected at a buckling coefficient higher than
15 (higher than 12 if stress in plates is on elastic branch).

Local buckling applies to individual plates (stiffeners, column web), and according to
experiments, it is considered to be neglectable when the buckling factor is higher than
3.

In the video, there is explained of these types of buckling and how to deal with it,
considering the buckling factors and buckling shapes.

https://youtu.be/8orM2XWjAgM
How to read buckling results?

Buckling needs critical thinking!

Buckling is a sudden change in the shape of a structural component under load, says Wikipedia. When
imagined, this is definitely a nightmare to experience. For both, the user of the structure and the
engineers responsible for design. Still, buckling issues are somehow difficult to predict. Fortunately,
there exist sophisticated tools that can help.

There are different forms of this complex phenomenon. Generally, we can distinguish between
the global buckling of structural members (slender columns in compression, lateral-torsional
buckling of bent beams) and local buckling of plates (in compression or shear). When reaching
the critical load, the component changes its shape to a new, energetically more convenient
one: it buckles. And it may happen even if the stress in the component is far below the strength
of the material of which it is composed. Further loading may cause significant and somewhat
unpredictable deformations, possibly leading to complete loss of the member's load-carrying
capacity.

IDEA StatiCa is here to help engineers with the global and local buckling of steel members.

Buckling of connection
Buckling is usually not an important issue in joints however, it should be checked that there are
no buckling issues and the results of strength analysis, which uses only geometrically linear
analysis, are correct. Of course, when an improper detail is used, buckling may easily happen...
How to read buckling results?

IDEA StatiCa Connection is able to perform linear buckling analysis of a model of a joint. The
results are predicted in buckling modes. Critical load, at which buckling of the perfect model
How to read buckling results?
occurs, is calculated for each buckling mode. The critical load is presented by multipliers of the
load acting on the joint. According to the buckling mode and critical load multiplier, the user
can determine the safe buckling design. General information about the buckling analysis in
IDEA StatiCa may be found in our Theoretical background.

Do you search for the buckling analysis in the application? Just follow the tutorial for EN or
for AISC standard.

Unlike the other types of analyses, buckling analysis does not provide a clear pass/fail
answer. Instead, the critical factors of the load must be interpreted based on the followed
standard. And in the end, it is the engineer who decides whether the analysis result is fine or
not. See the corresponding parts of the Theoretical Background: Buckling analysis according to
Eurocode and Buckling analysis according to AISC.

The limit value may also differ for buckling shapes happening on the structural member or for
the shapes when an additional plate in connection buckles. This topic is presented in the
following webinar video: Global buckling vs. local buckling. What does it mean? or you can
read the article about How to evaluate the buckling results in detail.

Another example of performed buckling analysis on the connection of a bracing together with
the result interpretation was presented in one of our Connection Wednesdays webinars.
How to read buckling results?

The comparisons of IDEA StatiCa Connection results to other tools may be found in
the verification examples.

Buckling of thin-walled (cold-formed) members

For the thin-walled sections, the situation is even more complicated...

IDEA StatiCa Connection is primarily dedicated to the assessment of connections of hot-rolled

members which are not significantly affected by buckling. The geometrically linear and
materially non-linear analysis is performed because of its fast and stable calculation. However,
this type of analysis does not take into account the loss of stability. If you need to investigate
the stability behavior, performing a linear buckling analysis can help you to detect dangerous
areas and provide a factor for Euler’s bifurcation point.

The Thin-walled (cold-formed) members article lists important factors that have to be taken
into account when analyzing thin-walled sections in IDEA StatiCa. Also, the topic is discussed
in the Thin-walled members – buckling issues webinar recording.

o Perform linear buckling analysis and carefully evaluate each buckling shape; the first 5
presented buckling shapes might not be enough.
o Do not rely on the plasticity of thin-walled members and instead limit the von Mises
stress to yield strength or even lower.
o Be aware that local buckling which is not taken into account can redistribute internal
forces in components differently.
o Be aware that stiffness of components may be different due to different failure modes
or their combination.
o Be aware that presented checks and detailing of components (e.g. bolts, welds) are
following guides for standard members. The code checks of thin-walled members may
vary, and then the provided tests are not correct.
How to read buckling results?
Generally the IDEA StatiCa Connection can be used for modeling thin-walled (cold-formed)
connection behavior but for the whole code check other tools have to be used, and the final
decision has to be made as a conclusion of several used methods and procedures.

Member buckling
Two years ago, IDEA StatiCa introduced a new application dedicated to evaluating the
buckling behavior of whole structural members. The advanced and well-
established CBFEM model known from the Connection app was implemented into IDEA
StatiCa Member to perform different levels of analyses. With this tool, the geometrically and
materially nonlinear analysis can be performed, considering even geometrical imperfections.
How to read buckling results?

The analysis model of Member provides 3 types of analysis:

 MNA – Materially Non-linear Analysis, to check the stress/strain in sections along the member.
 LBA – Linear Buckling Analysis (stability), evaluates the linear eigenvalues and eigenmodes
(critical factors and buckling shapes). Based on these values, the engineer chooses which one to
consider for the GMNIA non-linear analysis and inputs the values of geometrical
imperfections.
 GMNIA – Geometrically and Materially Non-linear Analysis with Imperfections, evaluates the
stress/strain along the member in materially and geometrically (including imperfections) non-
linear analysis. 5 % plastic strain is set as a limit for the code-check.

To get familiar with the fundamentals of IDEA StatiCa Member, we recommend reading
the IDEA StatiCa Member Theoretical background to get a better understanding of its
capabilities. Of course, there are several videos presenting the power of the tool. You can start
with the introductory webinar: IDEA StatiCa Member – Solution for buckling.
How to read buckling results?

The practical tutorials on IDEA StatiCa Member will help you start using the application,
either from scratch or in a BIM workflow. Some important considerations are discussed in
the What to know before you start using IDEA StatiCa Member application? webinar recording
and in these two articles: Impact of boundary conditions and Imperfections.

The verification process of the new application has finished and the studies were published
together with university teams. You can go through several verification examples.

To sum it up
How to read buckling results?
It is always necessary to exploit your engineering sense and judgment when investigating the
buckling issues of a civil engineering structure. Nevertheless, IDEA StatiCa can help you with
that.

o For the check of steel connections, there is an IDEA StatiCa Connection that can
check not only the stress/strain but also the most critical buckling shapes and
corresponding critical load.
o The global stability can be analyzed in IDEA StatiCa Member that enables engineers
to run the geometrically and materially nonlinear analysis with imperfections to find
the buckling shapes and factors of the structural member.

Both applications are available in a 14-day free trial to be tested.