Title: Experiment and non-linear analysis of stainless steel columns having variable cross-sections

Authors: Muhammad Ashiqur Rahman, M.A.K. Chowdhuri

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh

Abstract: A useful numerical scheme, based on finite difference technique, has been devised and used to trace the load-deflection curves (equilibrium configuration paths) of a column that has highly non-linear stress-strain curves. Two theorems of Thompson and Hunt are used to interpret the existence of critical load for the column from those load-deflection curves. To make the study more comprehensive, a varying cross-section has been considered along the column|s span. The devised method can be used to calculate buckling loads of any column having varying cross-section together with material non-linearity. To prove the fruitfulness of the devised method, experiments have been accomplished for columns with varying cross-sections; the results of simulations have been compared. The comparison shows good agreement between the present results of finite difference technique with those obtained from the experiments.

Keywords: finite difference technique; nonlinear stress-strain curves; nonlinearly elastic deformation; variable cross-sections; load-deflection curves; critical loads; stainless steel columns; structural engineering; buckling loads.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSTRUCTE.2010.033485

International Journal of Structural Engineering, 2010 Vol.1 No.3/4, pp.312 - 326

Published online: 02 Jun 2010 *

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