70

Chapter 3 Finite Element Analysis of Beams and Frames

Example 3.14 FEA of buckling of a clamped-clamped beam

A uniform bar clamped at both ends is subjected to an axial force P as shown in the
figure. Calculate the critical value of P that will cause buckling. Assume EI=1,000 N-m2.

Figure 3.37 A clamped-clamped beam subjected to an axial force

Solution:
We will use two elements as shown in Figure 3.36. Unlike the previous problems, the
axial force is not constant in each element. Hence, we need to solve the static problem to
obtain the axial forces. One can note that Element 1 will be in tension and Element 2 in
compression. Although the uniaxial bar element discussed in Chapter 2 can be used to
solve this problem, one can estimate the axial forces by inspection. The axial stiffness of
the bar elements is inversely proportional to their lengths. Hence one can predict that the
axial load P will be distributed between the two bars in the ratio 1:2. Then P(1)=P/3 and
P(2)=-2P/3. The beam stiffness matrices and incremental stiffness matrices can be
calculated as follows: Note that the element lengths are L(1) =2 m and L(2)= 1 m. In
deriving the global incremental stiffness matrix Kinc below we have used Pr=P.
12 - 12 v2
12 6 v2
1
; [ k( 2 ) ] = 1000

[ k( ) ] = 125

6 4 q ;
- 12 16 q2

2
13.5 4.5 v2

[K ] = 1000
q
4.5
6

2
(1)
[k inc
]

1 36 6 v2
1 36 3 v2
(2)
6 16 ; [k inc ] 3 4
60
30
2
2

1 (1) 2 (2)
1 108 18 v2
[ Kinc ] [k inc
] [k inc ]

3
3
180 18 0 2

(3.168)

(3.169)

Note the way the incremental stiffness matrices are added to obtain Kinc. The negative
sign in front of [ k i(1n )c ] in Eq. (3.169) is due to the fact P(1) is a tensile force. The global
equations take the form:

K PK inc 2

(3.170)

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Using MATLAB the eigen values and hence the critical values of P are found to be:
20,880 N and -290,880 N. The corresponding eigen vectors are: (-1, 0.4019) and (0.1786,
-1). The negative value of Pcr means that the load P is applied in the opposite direction to
cause buckling. The buckling mode shapes are shown in Fig. 3.37.

1
0.5
0
0.5 0

1
1.5
Mode1

Mode2

1
0.5
0
0.5

0.5

1.5

2.5

1
1.5

Mode1

Mode2

Fig. 3.38 Buckling mode shapes for Example 3.14

Example 3.10
The composite bar in Figure 3.38 is clamped at both ends and is subjected to an axial
force P as shown. The cross sections of the two portions are such that (EA)(2) =2(EA)(1)
and (EI)(2) =2(EI)(1). Calculate the critical value of P that will cause buckling. Assume
(EI)(1) =1,000 N-m2.

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Chapter 3 Finite Element Analysis of Beams and Frames

Figure 3.39 A composite bar subjected to an axial force in the middle of the bar.

Solution:
We will use two elements as shown in the figure. Again, the axial force is not constant in
each element. Hence, we need to solve the static problem to obtain the axial forces. One
can note that Element 1 will be in tension and Element 2 in compression. Although the
uniaxial bar element discussed in Chapter 1 can be used to solve this problem, one can
estimate the axial forces by inspection. The load carried by each portion will be
proportional to the axial stiffness. Hence, one can predict that the axial load P will be
distributed between the two bars in the ratio 1:2. Then P(1)=P/3 and P(2)=-2P/3. The
beam stiffness matrices and incremental stiffness matrices can be calculated as follows.
We will use Pr=P in deriving Kinc.

12 -6 v2
12 6 v2
36 6 v2
1
; [ k( 2 ) ] = 2000
;[K ] = 1000

[ k( ) ] = 1000

6 4 q
6 12 q (3.171)
-6 4 q2

2
(1)
[k inc
]

1 36 3 v2
1 36 3 v2
(2)
3 4 ; [k inc ] 3 4
30
30
2
2

1 (1) 2 (2)
1 36 3 v2
[ Kinc ] [k inc
] [k inc ]

3
3
90 3 4 2

(3.172)

Note the way the incremental stiffness matrices are added to obtain Kinc in (3.172). The
global equations take the form:

K PK inc 2

(3.173)

Using Matlab command [q,P]=eig(K,Kinc) we determine the eigen values and eigen
vectors as:

0
87, 640
1.4534 1.8979
P
;q

;
580,930
0
0.4957 7.1542

(3.174)

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Thus the critical loads are: Pcr1=87,640 N and Pcr2=580,930 N. The buckling mode shapes
are plotted in Fig. 3.39.

1
0
1

0.5

1.5

2
3
4
Mode1

Mode2

Figure 3.40 Buckling mode shapes for the composite beam in Example 3.15

Example 3.16 Buckling of a beam on elastic foundation

The left end of a shaft can be assumed to be perfectly clamped, but the right support has
some play to accommodate misalignment. Its compliance is represented by a torsional
spring and a linear spring (Figure 3.40). Determine the critical load for buckling of the
shaft and corresponding mode shape. The length of the shaft is 1 m. The stiffnesses of the
linear and torsional springs, respectively, are kL=10,000 N/m and kT=1000 N-m/radian.
The bending rigidity of the shaft cross section EI=1000 N-m2.

Figure 3.41 FE model of the shaft in Example 3.16

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Chapter 3 Finite Element Analysis of Beams and Frames

Solution:
As shown in the idealized version of the shaft, there are three elements and two active
DOFs, v2 and 2 , in this problem. The element stiffness matrices and the global stiffness
matrix are calculated as follows:

12 6 v2
k (1) 1000
(shaft as a beam element)
6 4 2
10 1 v2
k (2) 1000
(linear spring)
1 1 v3
1 1 2
k (3) 1000
(torsional spring)
1 1 3

(3.175)

22 6 v2

6 5 2

K 1000

The incremental stiffness matrix has to be calculated only for the beam element (shaft):

1 36 3
(1)
kinc
Kinc
30 3 4

(3.176)

Then using the MATLAB we obtain the smallest eigen value as 17,130 and the
corresponding eigen vector as v2 ,2 =(0.9334, 0.3147). Thus the critical buckling load
is 17,130 N. The mode shape is shown in Fig. 2.41. It should be noted that the actual
buckling load will be slightly lower than the above value as the FEA tends to make the
structure stiffer than it is. It is worth noting that the buckling load for a cantilevered beam
of same length and flexural stiffness is about 2,500 N. If the beam is hinged on the right
end then the critical load increases to about 20,100 N (see Example 2.12 above), and for a
fixed-fixed beam it is about 40,000 N.

1
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

Figure 3.42 Mode shape of the shaft on elastic foundation (Example 3.16)