Nonlinear buckling optimization of composite structures considering “worst” shape imperfections

Nonlinear buckling optimization is introduced as a method for doing laminate optimization on generalized composite shell structures exhibiting nonlinear behaviour where the objective is to maximize the buckling load. The method is based on geometrically nonlinear analyses and uses gradient information of the nonlinear buckling load in combination with mathematical programming to solve the problem. Thin-walled optimal laminated structures may have risk of a relatively high sensitivity to geometric imperfections. This is investigated by the concepts of “worst” imperfections and an optimization method to determine the “worst” shape imperfections is presented where the objective is to minimize the buckling load subject to imperfection amplitude constraints. The ability of the nonlinear buckling optimization formulation to solve the laminate problem and determine the “worst” shape imperfections is illustrated by several numerical examples of composite laminated structures and the application of both formulations gives useful insight into the interaction between laminate design and geometric imperfections.     

Ratcheting,wrinkling and collapse of tubes under axial cycling

Circular tubes compressed into the plastic range first buckle into axisymmetric wrinkling modes. Initially the wrinkle amplitude grows with increasing load. The wrinkles gradually induce a reduction in axial rigidity eventually leading to a limit load instability followed by collapse. The two instabilities can be separated by strain levels of a few percent. This work investigates whether a tube that develops small amplitude wrinkles can be subsequently collapsed by persistent cycling. The problem is first investigated experimentally using SAF 2507 super-duplex steel tubes with D/t of 28.5. The tubes are first compressed to strain levels high enough for mild wrinkles to form; they are then cycled axially under stress control about a compressive mean stress. This type of cycling usually results in material ratcheting or accumulation of compressive strain; here it is accompanied by accumulation of structural damage due to the growth of the amplitude of the initial wrinkles. The tube average strain initially grows nearly linearly with the number of cycles, but as a critical value of wrinkle amplitude is approached, wrinkling localizes, the rate of ratcheting grows exponentially and the tube collapses. The rate of ratcheting and the number of cycles to failure depend on the initial compressive pre-strain and on the amplitude of the stress cycles. However, collapse was found to occur when the accumulated average strain reaches the value at which the tube localizes under monotonic compression. A custom shell model of the tube with initial axisymmetric imperfections, coupled to a cyclic plasticity model, are presented and used to simulate the series of experiments performed successfully. A sensitivity study of the formulation to the imperfections and to key constitutive model parameters is then performed.     

Imperfection sensitivity of curved panels under combined compression and shear

The initial buckling load of curved panels under compressive loads is substantially reduced by the existence of imperfections, in particular geometric imperfections. It is therefore essential that these imperfections are considered in analysing components which incorporate such panels in order to accurately predict their buckling behaviour. Finite element analysis allows fully non-linear analysis of shells containing geometric imperfections, however, to obtain accurate results information is required on the exact size and shape of the imperfection to be modelled. In most cases this data is not available. It is therefore generally recommended that the imperfections are modelled on the first eigenmode and have an amplitude selected according to the manufacturing procedure. This paper presents the effects of varying imperfection shape and amplitude on the buckling and postbuckling behaviour of one specific case, a curved panel under combined shear and compression, to test the accuracy of such recommendations.     

A semi-analytical buckling analysis of imperfect cylindrical shells under axial compression

In the framework of the cellular bifurcation theory, we investigate the effect of distributed and/or localized imperfections on the buckling of long cylindrical shells under axial compression. Using a double scale perturbative approach including modes interaction, we establish that the evolution of amplitudes of instability patterns is governed by a non-homogeneous second order system of three non-linear complex equations. The localized imperfections are included by employing jump conditions for their amplitude and permitting discontinuous derivatives. By solving these amplitude equations, we show the influence of distributed and/or localized imperfections on the reduction of the critical load. To assess the validity of the present method, our results are compared to those given by two finite element codes.     

Flutter instability in imperfect structural systems

The periodic oscillations of discrete structural systems with follower-force loading are studied in the region of the critical point. The case in which small initial geometric imperfections exist in the structure is also examined. Flutter instability is found to be much less sensitive to initial imperfections than is static instability. Critical loads are destabilized (or stabilized) in either a linear or parabolic fashion with imperfection amplitude. The postcritical characteristics of the flutter exhibited cannot be altered by initial imperfections.     

Effect of multiple localized geometric imperfections on stability of thin axisymmetric cylindrical shells under axial compression

Stability of imperfect elastic cylindrical shells which are subjected to uniform axial compression is analyzed by using the finite element method. Multiple interacting localized axisymmetric initial geometric imperfections, having either triangular or wavelet shapes, were considered. The effect of a single localized geometric imperfection was analyzed in order to assess the most adverse configuration in terms of shell aspect ratios. Then two or three geometric imperfections of a given shape and which were uniformly distributed along the shell length were introduced to quantify their global effect on the shell buckling strength. It was shown that with two or three interacting geometric imperfections further reduction of the buckling load is obtained. In the ranges of parameters that were investigated, the imperfection wavelength was found to be the major factor influencing shell stability; it is followed by the imperfection amplitude, then by the interval distance separating the localized imperfections. In a wide range of parameters this last factor was recognized to have almost no effect on buckling stresses.     

Imperfection-sensitivity in the plastic range

The effect of small imperfections on the buckling of continuous structures loaded into the plastic range is studied. A simple model study is presented and several additional examples are discussed. The rôle of the load at which elastic unloading first occurs is emphasized, and a general asymptotic analysis is given for the behavior prior to the onset of elastic unloading for a class of elastic-plastic solids subject to loads characterized by a single load parameter. Asymptotic imperfection-sensitivity formulae are obtained whose features are similar to analogous formulae for elastic structures.     

薄壁圆筒壳初始几何缺陷不确定性量化的极大熵方法

针对薄壁圆筒壳结构轴压屈曲载荷的缺陷敏感性以及真实几何缺陷的不确定性,提出一种基于实测缺陷数据和极大熵原理的初始缺陷建模与屈曲载荷预测方法。首先,将初始几何缺陷视为二维随机场,并利用实测缺陷数据和Karhunen-Loève展开法将初始缺陷的随机场建模转化为随机向量的建模;其次,利用极大熵方法确定随机向量的概率分布;最后,基于所构建的初始缺陷随机模型,利用MCMC抽样方法和确定性屈曲分析方法,进行随机屈曲分析并给出基于可靠度的屈曲载荷折减因子。数值算例表明,与直接假设随机场相关结构的方法相比,本文方法的结果是对薄壁圆筒壳屈曲载荷的一个更无偏估计。     

小样本数据下圆柱薄壳初始缺陷不确定性量化的极大熵方法

具有不确定性特征的初始缺陷被认为是导致薄壳结构实际临界载荷值与理论解不相符并呈现分散特征的主要原因.对实际薄壳结构初始缺陷的建模至少需要考虑两个方面的不确定性量化,一是对缺陷分布形式和幅值等固有随机性的量化,二是对小样本量和不准确测量所导致缺陷统计量的不确定性的量化.本文在利用随机场的Karhunen-Loeve展开法对薄壳初始几何缺陷建模的基础上,提出一种基于极大熵原理的缺陷建模方法.首先,采用极大熵分布来估计Karhunen-Loeve随机变量的概率密度函数,以适应不能使用高斯随机场进行缺陷随机场建模的情况.随后,通过将经典的等式约束极大熵模型扩展为区间约束极大熵模型,实现对实际工程中仅能获得少量薄壳结构几何缺陷样本数据所导致的认知不确定性的量化.最后,将所提方法用于对国际缺陷数据库的A-Shell进行缺陷建模和临界载荷预测.研究表明,所提基于区间约束极大熵原理的随机场建模方法在能够有效表征实测数据高阶矩信息的同时,还具备量化小样本数据导致的认知不确定性的能力,并且高斯随机场模型和基于等式约束极大熵原理的随机场模型是本文所提建模方法的两种特殊情况.     

Effect of the system imperfections on the dynamic response of a high-static-low-dynamic stiffness vibration isolator

The dynamic response of a high-static-low-dynamic stiffness (HSLDS) isolator formed by parallelly connecting a negative stiffness corrector which uses compressed Euler beams to a linear isolator is investigated in this study. Considering stiffness and load imperfections, the resonance frequency and response of the proposed isolator are obtained by employing harmonic balance method. The HSLDS isolator with quasi-zero stiffness characteristics can offer the lowest resonance frequency provided that there is only stiffness or load imperfection. If load imperfection always exists, there is no need to make the stiffness to zero since it cannot provide the lowest resonance frequency any longer. The reason for this unusual phenomenon is given. The dynamic response will exhibit softening, hardening, and softening-to-hardening characteristics, depending on the combined effect of load imperfection, stiffness imperfection, and excitation amplitude. In general, load imperfection makes the response exhibit softening characteristic and increasing stiffness imperfection will weak this effect. Increasing the excitation level will make the isolator undergo complex switch between different stiffness characteristics.     

Buckling analysis of cylindrical shells with random geometric imperfections

In this paper the effect of random geometric imperfections on the limit loads of isotropic, thin-walled, cylindrical shells under deterministic axial compression is presented. Therefore, a concept for the numerical prediction of the large scatter in the limit load observed in experiments using direct Monte Carlo simulation technique in context with the Finite Element method is introduced. Geometric imperfections are modeled as a two dimensional, Gaussian stochastic process with prescribed second moment characteristics based on a data bank of measured imperfections. (The initial imperfection data bank at the Delft University of Technology, Part 1. Technical Report LR-290, Department of Aerospace Engineering, Delft University of Technology). In order to generate realizations of geometric imperfections, the estimated covariance kernel is decomposed into an orthogonal series in terms of eigenfunctions with corresponding uncorrelated Gaussian random variables, known as the Karhunen-Loéve expansion. For the determination of the limit load a geometrically non-linear static analysis is carried out using the general purpose code STAGS (STructural Analysis of General Shells, user manual, LMSC P032594, version 3.0, Lockheed Martin Missiles and Space Co., Inc., Palo Alto, CA, USA). As a result of the direct Monte Carlo simulation, second moment characteristics of the limit load are presented. The numerically predicted statistics of the limit load coincide reasonably well with the actual observations, particularly in view of the limited data available, which is reflected in the statistical estimators.     

Life span of imperfect composite columns subjected to creep

The problem of creep failure of composite columns subjected to a compressive load has been considered. The failure is associated with allowable stresses and the corresponding allowable deformations. The approach can be used to establish tolerances for initial imperfections of viscoelastic columns based on a predicted longevity. Another approach can predict an allowable duration of the action of the load based on predicted (or allowable) initial imperfections.Numerical examples illustrate that the allowable duration of loading is drastically reduced due to either large initial imperfections or significant applied compressive stresses. As could be expected, an increase of the allowable stresses and a decrease of the column length have beneficial effects on the allowable duration of loading.     

Imperfection sensitivity of pyramidal core sandwich structures

Lightweight metallic truss structures are currently being investigated for use within sandwich panel construction. These new material systems have demonstrated superior mechanical performance and are able to perform additional functions, such as thermal management and energy amelioration. The subject of this paper is an examination of the mechanical response of these structures. In particular, the retention of their stiffness and load capacity in the presence of imperfections is a central consideration, especially if they are to be used for a wide range of structural applications. To address this issue, sandwich panels with pyramidal truss cores have been tested in compression and shear, following the introduction of imperfections. These imperfections take the form of unbound nodes between the core and face sheets—a potential flaw that can occur during the fabrication process of these sandwich panels. Initial testing of small scale samples in compression provided insight into the influence of the number of unbound nodes but more importantly highlighted the impact of the spatial configuration of these imperfect nodes. Large scale samples, where bulk properties are observed and edge effects minimized, have been tested. The stiffness response has been compared with finite element simulations for a variety of unbound node configurations. Results for fully bound cores have also been compared to existing analytical predictions. Experimentally determined collapse strengths are also reported. Due to the influence of the spatial configuration of unbound nodes, upper and lower limits on stiffness and strength have been determined for compression and shear. Results show that pyramidal core sandwich structures are robust under compressive loading. However, the introduction of these imperfections causes rapid degradation of core shear properties.     

Stability of a rubber half-space

The paper treats the stability of surface waves generated when a rubber half-space is subjected to compression. At a load level below the critical one an asymptotic expansion is given for the difference between the potential energy of an adjacent state and that of the fundamental state. The displacement field is expressed approximately by a linear combination of two different buckling modes and a residual displacement field which is orthogonal to the former fields. This remainder permits us to take into account the effect of all other modes which have been neglected. The wavelength of the two modes are governed by the dominant imperfections of the half-space. Terms up to the fourth order in the amplitudes of the buckling modes are included.Results are presented to show the most severe post-buckling behaviour as presented by the line of steepest descent in the load displacement diagram. Furthermore curves showing the reduction of the critical load on account of the imperfections in the two dominant modes are also presented. The analysis is kept sufficiently general to include the effect of pre-straining the rubber half-space upon the post-buckling behaviour.     

Buckling load of non-linear systems with multiple eigenvalues

For structural systems with a coincident lowest eigenvalue λ_c, the influence of imperfections on the buckling of the systems depends to a very large extent upon the distribution of the imperfections. Moreover, the system may buckle either at a limit point or at a bifurcation point before this limit point is reached. Considering both possibilities, a lower bound to the buckling load of the system, for a given root mean square of the imperfections, is obtained. Furthermore, with reference to a set of particular, normalized co-ordinates, it was found that the absolute minimum buckling load is given by an imperfection vector parallel to the steepest of all post-buckling paths intersecting at λ_c. At this absolute minimum buckling load the critical point is a limit point. As an example, the lower bound to the buckling load of an imperfect cylindrical shell under axial compression was calculated.     

Columns with Random Imperfections and Associated Bracing Requirements

Abstract

The imperfections in the form of initial displacement in structural columns are important factors to be reckoned with. To investigate the effect of imperfections and to obtain the results of general valadity, imperfections in columns should be considered as random in nature. In this paper, the effect of imperfection on column behavior and load carrying capacity is examined. The imperfections are modeled by a stochastically stationary random process with a known autocorrelation function. The results for the expected reduction in column capacity and the bending moments due to imperfection are obtained. The problem of lateral bracings, provided in columns to prevent buckling in their weaker planes and thereby increase their load carrying capacities, is also examined probabilistically: the effect of random initial displacements on the strength and stiffness requirements of a bracing is investigated.     

Dynamic bifurcation and sensitivity analysis of non-linear non-planar vibrations of geometrically imperfect cantilevered beams

The non-linear non-planar dynamic responses of a near-square cantilevered (a special case of inextensional beams) geometrically imperfect (i.e., slightly curved) and perfect beam under harmonic primary resonant base excitation with a one-to-one internal resonance is investigated. The sensitivity of limit-cycles predicted by the perfect beam model to small geometric imperfections is analyzed and the importance of taking into account the small geometric imperfections is investigated. This was carried out by assuming two different geometric imperfection shapes, fixing the corresponding frequency detuning parameters and continuation of sample limit-cycles versus the imperfection parameter. The branches of periodic responses for perfect and imperfect (i.e. small geometric imperfection) beams are determined and compared. It is shown that branches of periodic solutions associated with similar limit-cycles of the imperfect and perfect beams have a frequency shift with respect to each other and may undergo different bifurcations which results in different dynamic responses. Furthermore, the imperfect beam model predicts more dynamic attractors than the perfect one. Also, it is shown that depending on the magnitude of geometric imperfection, some of the attractors predicted by the perfect beam model may collapse. Ignoring the small geometric imperfections and applying the perfect beam model is shown to contribute to erroneous results.     

Critical Imperfection Territory∗

The critical limit load of elastic structures can decrease due to the effect of unavoidable imperfections. The “critical imperfection territory” covers all imperfections resulting in a value of the critical load that is smaller than a prescribed value. These territories are determined with the help of a potential function and by using results of catastrophe theory. General rules for their determination are outlined and the specific critical imperfection territories are shown for the most important cases (fold, cusp, and elliptic and hyperbolic umbilic catastrophes). These territories give information similar to that given by imperfection-sensitivity surfaces, but they use a space of one less dimension.     

Imperfection sensitivity of an orthotropic spherical shell under external pressure

In the first part of this paper, rib-stiffened thin-walled spherical shells under external hydrostatic pressure are optimized using classical approximate methods and empirical knock-down-factors. In the second part of the paper, the influence of known imperfections is investigated.The thin-walled spherical shells under external pressure are very sensitive to geometrical imperfections. Hoff recognized that for entire isotropic spherical shells the more likely imperfection will be a local circular dent, which for such shells, can always be considered as an axisymmetric one. Hoff's idea has been further investigated by Koga–Hoff, Galletly et al. These results showed that for a given depth of an imperfection a critical size of the corresponding circular dent exists, giving the minimum for the actual load carrying capacity of the shell.This paper suggests to extend Hoff's theory to isogrid and waffle-grid stiffened spherical shells. The issue of these investigations is a set of knock-down-factors plotted versus imperfection amplitude related to the total thickness of the rib-stiffened (isogrid or waffle-grid) shell. These curves fit reasonably with those established for isotropic shells by Hoff et al. or by Koiter, and enable to estimate the jeopardy of measured actual dents.     

Post-buckling dynamic behavior of periodically supported imperfect shells

A circular cylindrical shell, periodically supported and subjected to step-loading in the form of lateral or hydrostatic pressure, is studied. Using the time-dependent von Kármán-Donnell equations, its imperfection sensitivity is examined and a simple asymptotic expression for the dynamic buckling load, valid for small imperfections, is obtained. There is a simple relation, independent of the imperfection, between the dynamic and static buckling loads.