WORKSHOP 12

FLAT PLATE COLUMN BUCKLING

CAT509, Workshop 12, March 2002

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CAT509, Workshop 12, March 2002

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WORKSHOP 12 FLAT PLATE COLUMN BUCKLING

Problem Description

Rectangular plate under uniform edge compression

Two short edges simply supported, two long edges free.
Find the critical load when buckling begins.

0p

si

Simply
supported

Free

Free

10 ,
00

Material: Aluminum
Modulus of elasticity = 10.15e6 psi
Poisson Ratio = .346
Density = .098 lb_in3
Yield Strength = 13778 psi
Design requirements:
Thickness, t =
Vertical Load, w =

0.1 inch
100 lbs/in

Simply
supported
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WORKSHOP 12 FLAT PLATE COLUMN BUCKLING

Hand calculations

Critical load of a long slender column:

Verify model by checking deflection using the standard formula

for a simply supported beam at both ends with uniform load
over the entire span using a pressure of 100 psi (3D).
100 lbs/in (2D)
4.0 inch

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WORKSHOP 12 FLAT PLATE COLUMN BUCKLING

Suggested Exercise Steps

1.
2.
3.

4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

9.
10.

Create a new CATIA analysis document (.CATAnalysis).

Mesh globally with parabolic elements.
Create virtual parts and apply advanced restraints (simply
supported).
Apply a force.
Insert a Buckling Case.
Setup static and buckling parameters.
Compute all (the static and buckling analysis).
Check global and local precision (animate deformation, adaptive
boxes and extremas).
Visualize final results.
Save the analysis document.

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Step 1. Create a new CATIA analysis document

3
4

1
2
Steps:
1. Open the existing
ws12columnPlateBuck
.CATPart from the
training directory.
2. Apply aluminum
material properties to
the part as required.
3. Launch the
Generative Structural
Analysis workbench for
a Static Analysis case.
4. Specify the
Computations and
Results storage
locations as shown.
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Step 2. Mesh globally with parabolic elements

1
Steps:
1. Globally mesh as
shown

Thin gauge sheet

problems are very
sensitive to the mesh
parameters. Parabolic
elements are highly
recommended for this
because they are
formulated with a
parabolic displacement
field within the element,
which agrees with
basic bending theory.

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Step 3. Create virtual parts

Steps:

1. Select the Rigid

Virtual Part icon,
select the upper face,
select OK.
2. Repeat the process
to create a second
rigid virtual part on the
bottom face.

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Step 3. Apply advanced restraints

Steps:
1. Select the
Advanced Restraint
icon, select
virtual part 1 at the top
of the plate

2. Select Restrain
Translation 1, select
OK.

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Step 3. Apply advanced restraints

Steps:
1. Select the
Advanced Restraint
icon again,
select virtual part 2 at
the bottom of the plate

2. Restrain all
directions except
Rotation 2, select OK.

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Step 4. Apply a force

Apply force to the top

face
Steps:

1. Select the Surface

Force Density icon
and select the top
face.

2. Enter -10000 in the

z direction and select
OK.

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Step 5. Insert a Buckling Case

1
2

Steps:
1. Rename the Static
Case Solution.1 to
ColumnPlateSolution.
2. From the menu
select Insert then
Buckling Case.

3. Select
ColumnPlateSolution
from the features tree
as your reference
solution.

For clarity and

organization its a
good idea to start
uniquely identifying
cases.
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Step 6. Setup static and buckling parameters

Steps:
1. Double click
ColumnPlateSolution
in the features tree to
verify parameters.
Click OK.
2. Double click
Buckling Case
Solution in the
features tree to verify
parameters. Click OK.

You should be aware

of what calculation
methods will be used.

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Step 7. Compute all

Save first.
Steps:
1. Compute all
objects.

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Step 8. Check global and local precision

Check Deformation,
and global precision.

1a

Steps:
1. Create a deformed
image and animate to
verify your system
deflects as expected.

2a

2. Check Global
precision (Estimated
local error image can
only be added to the
Static
ColumnPlateSolution).

2b
1b

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Step 8. Check global and local precision

2

Find the global

element with the
highest estimated
error.
Find local precision.
Steps:
1. Use the Search
Image Extrema icon.
2. Local precision is
found using the
adaptivity box icon.

Local error shows

energy balanced in the
plate center, our area
of most concern. We
have a precise model.

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Step 9. Visualize final results

1
Find the critical load
when this plate will
fail.
Steps

1. Make sure the

Buckling Case is Set
As Current Case.

2. Right click Sensors

in the features tree
then select Create
Sensor.

3. Click to highlight
bucklingfactors in the
Sensor Creation
Critical Load = (.519)(10,000 psi) = 5190 psi
window. Click OK.
4. Double click this
sensor Buckling
Factors in the
features tree.

Compare with hand calculations:

Critical Load = (5190 psi)(0.1 inch2) = 519 lbs.
Hand calculations = 522 lbs.

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Step 9. Visualize final results

1
Add a different Static
Case: Beam simply
supported at both
ends, uniform load
over entire area.

Steps
1. From the menu
select Insert then
Static Case.
2. Select existing
restraints to save
setup time.

3. Rename Simply
Supported Beam.

We are doing this to

verify that the beam is
deflecting properly.
Also introducing
multiple load cases.

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Step 9. Visualize final results

2
1

Load 100 psi and

compute.
Steps
1. Use the surface
force density icon.

2. Select the face as

shown.
3. Compute all.

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Step 9. Visualize final results

1
Compare hand
calculation
displacements.
Steps
1. Select the
Displacement icon.
Hand calcs = .394 in.
FEA = .398 in.
Looks good.

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Step 9. Visualize final results

Conclusions

CATIA V5 GSA workbench is validated for a flat plate

column buckling scenario.

Hand Calculations

.1 inch Parabolic Global Mesh, .01 inch sag

Global % Precision error

Local % Precision error

NA
NA

1.58 %
0%

Error Estimate

NA

1.44e-9 Btu global

Critical Load

522 lbs

519 lbs

Model verification using

simply supported beam
displacement

0.394 inch

0.398 inch

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Step 10. Save the analysis document

Save your documents

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WORKSHOP 12
FLAT PLATE BUCKLING,
PINNED ALL FOUR EDGES
FIXED ALL FOUR EDGES
PINNED TWO EDGES, FIXED TWO EDGES
CANTILEVER PLATE LATERAL BUCKLING

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CAT509, Workshop 12, March 2002

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