Imperfection sensitivity of degenerate hilltop branching points

Imperfection sensitivity is investigated for a degenerate hilltop branching point, where a degenerate bifurcation point exists at a limit point. A degenerate hilltop branching point is important as it is a byproduct of optimization of shallow shell structures under non-linear buckling constraints. A systematic procedure is presented for asymptotic sensitivity analysis based on enumeration of vertices of a convex region defined by linear inequality constraints on the orders of the variables. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated by sensitivity analysis of degenerate hilltop branching points, considering minor and major imperfections, corresponding to an unstable-symmetric or asymmetric bifurcation point at the limit point. It is found that a hilltop branching point can be imperfection sensitive.     

Sensitivity analysis of an optimized bar-spring model with hill-top branching

Summary Characteristics of optimal solutions under nonlinear buckling constraints are investigated by using a bar-spring model. It is demonstrated that optimization under buckling constraints of a symmetric system often leads to a structure with hill-top branching, where a limit point and bifurcation points coincide. A general formulation is derived for imperfection sensitivity of the critical load factor corresponding to a hill-top branching point. It is shown that the critical load is not imperfection-sensitive even for the case where an asymmetric bifurcation point exists at the limit point.     

Imperfection sensitivity of ultimate buckling strength of elastic-plastic square plates under compression

The mechanism of imperfection sensitivity of elastic-plastic plates under compression is complex as they undergo elastic and/or plastic buckling, dependent on their width-thickness ratio. For elastic buckling, the Koiter power law is an established means to describe the imperfection sensitivity. Yet, for plastic buckling, there is no such an established way to describe it. In this paper, the quadratic power law is advanced to describe imperfection-insensitive plastic buckling behavior. The Koiter power law is extended by implementing the quadratic law so as to describe the elastic and plastic buckling in a synthetic manner. The finite-displacement, elastic-plastic analysis was conducted on simply-supported square plates under compression by varying the plate thickness and the initial deflection of a sinusoidal form. In association with an increase of the plate slenderness parameter (decrease of plate thickness), the predominant buckling is shown to change from (1) plastic buckling to (2) unstable elastic-plastic buckling and to (3) elastic stable bifurcation followed by a maximum point of load. In accordance with the change of the mechanism of buckling, the power law is changed pertinently to describe the complex imperfection sensitivity of the compression plates in a synthetic manner. The extended imperfection sensitivity law is thus advanced as a simple and strong tool to describe the ultimate buckling strength of elastic-plastic plates.     

Imperfection sensitivity of optimal symmetric braced frames against buckling

Imperfection sensitivity characteristics of the non-linear buckling load factors of non-optimal and optimal symmetric frames are investigated. The frames are subjected to symmetric proportional vertical loads. The optimization problem is formulated under constraints on linear buckling load factors. Although the buckling load factors corresponding to sway and non-sway modes coincide at the optimum design, the non-sway-type asymmetric bifurcation point disappears as a result of geometrically non-linear analysis. Therefore, the maximum allowable load factors of perfect and imperfect systems should be determined by assigning displacement constraints. It is shown that quantitative evaluation is possible for imperfection sensitivity and mode interaction based on the higher order differential coefficients of the total potential energy even for frames of which the critical points should be numerically obtained. Numerical examples are presented to show that the properties of the non-sway bifurcation point are similar to those of a symmetric bifurcation point, and the interaction between sway and non-sway modes does not always lead to enhancement of imperfection sensitivity.     

Classification of compatibility paths of SDOF mechanisms

The compatibility paths of mechanisms with a single degree-of-freedom typically form sets of curves in the global representation space. We classify the different cases of compatibility by introducing an energy function. The result obtained also depends on which element of the mechanism is regarded as driven. The different singularity types are demonstrated by examples (split-vanish point, limit point, asymmetric bifurcation, infinitely degenerate bifurcation, hilltop point, compatibility surface).     

Imperfection sensitivity analysis of hill-top branching with many symmetric bifurcation points

Imperfection sensitivity properties are derived for finite dimensional elastic conservative systems exhibiting hill-top branching at which arbitrary many bifurcation points coincide with a limit point. The critical load at a hill-top branching point is demonstrated to be insensitive to initial imperfections when all the bifurcation points are individually symmetric. Therefore, it is not dangerous to design a frame or truss so that many members buckle simultaneously at the limit point, although the notion of the danger of optimization by compound bifurcation is widespread.     

Prediction of ductile fracture in tension by bifurcation,localization, and imperfection analyses

In this investigation, it is shown that the onset of ductile fracture in tension can be interpreted as the result of a supercritical bifurcation of homogeneous deformation and that this fact can be applied to predict ductile fracture initiation of materials with general imperfections or flaws. We focus on one dimensional quasi-static simple tension for rate-independent isotropic plastic materials. For deformation beyond the bifurcation point, multiple equilibrium paths appear. The homogeneous deformation, as one of the equilibrium paths, loses stability while the inhomogeneous paths are stable, thus indicating the occurrence of strain localization. This investigation also provides a physical example for the application of the Lambert W function in material localization analyses. Material instability is treated as the instability of a static system with dynamic perturbation. We also address the presence of microvoids in a power law plastic material as an unfolding of the supercritical pitchfork bifurcation. The imperfect system, idealized as spherical voids within the plastic matrix, is analyzed using the familiar Gurson model which is based on the presumption of a randomly voided material and characterized by the volume fraction of voids. If, in addition, the sizes of the microvoids are known, this then provides a length scale for the imperfection zone. In this manner, relevance to the sample size effects of strain-to-failure for ductile fracture initiation is addressed by considering separate zones with variations in void volume fractions. Fracture initiation predictions are presented and compare very well to existing experimental results.     

The Shallow Arch—General Buckling,Postbuckling, and Imperfection Analysis∗

A general discussion of the behavior of the shallow circular arch is presented. It is shown that, irrespective of specific loading or boundary conditions, it is possible to arrive at general conclusions regarding buckling, postbuckling, and imperfection sensitivity. General methods of analysis are established which lead to the determination of points of bifurcation and of postbuckling paths under symmetric loads. Modifications accounting for antisymmetric load components are introduced, with special emphasis on their asymptotic and limit load effect.

A typical numerical example is carried through in detail. The solution is “exact” in the sense of shallow arch theory. Its asymptotic behavior conforms to the asymptotic theory of Koiter.     

Multiple Duffing problem in a folding structure with hilltop bifurcation and possible imperfections

We review a multiple Duffing oscillation, based on static bifurcation theory. We find that it is useful to consider the structural instability of a folding truss with possible imperfections as a theoretical model for a Duffing problem with multiple potential wells. Theoretical bifurcation analysis revealed that the equilibrium path on this model has a “hilltop bifurcation.” In addition, we have considered the elastic (in-)stability of several folding models with imperfections. The present model is very sensitive near a critical point, leading to strong geometrical nonlinearity. We found that there are both global and local dynamic behaviours that are related to bifurcation and imperfect influences, which correspond to the structure of the multiple homo- and heteroclinic orbits. We suggest a theoretical model for hilltop bifurcation, based on the static bifurcation problem and perturbation theory, to assist in the identification of the structural mechanisms of the global and local dynamics of different paths. Such models are very useful for investigating the essential and invariant nonlinear phenomena of the extended Duffing oscillator model.     

Dynamic Buckling of Autonomous Systems Having Potential Energy Universal Unfoldings of Cuspoid Catastrophe

This work deals with dynamic buckling universal solutions of discrete nondissipative systems under step loading of infinite duration. Attention is focused on total potential energy functions associated with universal unfoldings of cuspoid type catastrophes with one active coordinate. The fold, dual cusp and tilted cusp catastrophes under statically applied loading occurring via limit points, asymmetric/symmetric bifurcations and nondegenerate hysteresis points are extended to the case of dynamic loading. Catastrophe manifolds of these types showing imperfection sensitivity under both types of loading are fully assessed. Important findings regarding dynamic buckling of imperfect systems generated by perfect systems associated with imperfect bifurcations are explored. The analysis is supplemented by a numerical application of a system exhibiting imperfect bifurcation when it is perfect as well as a hysteresis point associated with a tilted cusp catastrophe, when it becomes imperfect.     

Non-linear stability analysis of imperfect thin-walled composite beams

The static non-linear behavior of thin-walled composite beams is analyzed considering the effect of initial imperfections. A simple approach is used for determining the influence of imperfection on the buckling, prebuckling and postbuckling behavior of thin-walled composite beams. The fundamental and secondary equilibrium paths of perfect and imperfect systems corresponding to a major imperfection are analyzed for the case where the perfect system has a stable symmetric bifurcation point. A geometrically non-linear theory is formulated in the context of large displacements and rotations, through the adoption of a shear deformable displacement field. An initial displacement, either in vertical or horizontal plane, is considered in presence of initial geometric imperfection. Ritz's method is applied in order to discretize the non-linear differential system and the resultant algebraic equations are solved by means of an incremental Newton-Rapshon method. The numerical results are presented for a simply supported beam subjected to axial or lateral load. It is shown in the examples that a major imperfection reduces the load-carrying capacity of thin-walled beams. The influence of this effect is analyzed for different fiber orientation angle of a symmetric balanced lamination. In addition, the postbuckling response obtained with the present beam model is compared with the results obtained with a shell finite element model (Abaqus).     

Bifurcational instability of an atomic lattice

In a recent article N.H. Macmillan and A. Kelly (1972) have confirmed on the basis of a linear eigenvalue analysis that a mechanically stressed perfect crystal can exhibit a bifurcational instability at stresses ranging to 20 per cent below that of the limiting maximum of the primary stress-strain curve. The question thus arises as to whether the branching point is in a non-linear sense either stable or unstable. In the former case, perfect and slightly imperfect crystals would be capable of sustaining stresses over and above the eigenvalue critical stress. In the unstable case, however, this eigenvalue stress would represent the ultimate strength of a perfect solid, while an imperfect crystal would fail at a limiting stress substantially below the eigenvalue.At 20 per cent below the limit point such a branching point is essentially distinct, and the non-linear stability analysis needed to answer this question is provided by a recently established general branching theory for discrete conservative systems. Often, however, the two critical equilibrium states are much nearer than this, and the branching theory is here suitably extended to cover the case of near-compound instabilities.An illustrative study of a close-packed crystal under uniaxial tension is next presented. A kinematically-admissible displacement field is employed and a bifurcation point is located on the primary equilibrium path just before the limiting maximum, the eigenvector being associated with a transverse shearing strain. Under these conditions a corresponding small transverse shearing stress would represent an ‘imperfection’, and the non-linear branching problem is next studied using the new general theory. This shows (in excellent quantitative agreement with an ad hoc numerical solution) that the branching point is non-linearly unstable with a quite severe imperfection-sensitivity which manifests itself as a sharp cusp on the failure-stress locus.     

DOUBLE HIGH ORDER S－BREAKING BIFURCATION POINTS AND THEIR NUMERICAL DETERMINATION

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Postbuckling Analysis of Nonconservative Elastic Systems

Abstract

Previous work on the postbuckling and imperfection-sensitivity of elastic structures has concentrated on conservative systems. The results of Koiterand others have led to a general theory of nonlinear stability behavior for these systems. The theory must be modified when nonconservative forces are present, and this is the aim of the present paper.

Discrete, nonconservative, elastic systems which exhibit static (divergence) instability are considered. The nonlinear behavior in the neighborhood of a critical point is analyzed by means of a perturbation procedure. When the critical point is simple, the results are similar to those for conservative systems. When a coincident critical point exists, however, different types of behavior occur. In many cases there is no bifurcation at all, with only the fundamental (trivial) equilibrium path passing through the critical point. Imperfection-sensitivity is more severe than for the typical bifurcation points and can even occur when the perfect system has no bifurcation. The results are illustrated with the use of a nonlinear double pendulum model subjected to a partial follower load.     

POST-BUCKLING AND IMPERFECTION SENSITIVITY OF A COLUMN WITH AN EQUILATERAL TRIANGULAR CROSS-SECTION IN THE PLASTIC RANGE

The asymmetric initial post-buckling corresponding to the lowest bifurcation load andthe imperfection sensitivity are analysed in detail for a compressed simply supported column with anequilateral triangular cross-section in the plastic range.The effect of elastic unloading is taken into ac-count in the analysis.The asymptotic relations,including high order terms,among the load,the am-plitude of imperfection and the amplitude of the bifurcation mode are realized.The results show thatthe maximum supported load is very sensitive to imperfection.     

Postcritical imperfection sensitivity of sandwich or homogenized orthotropic columns soft in shear and in transverse deformation

The previous energetic variational analysis of critical loads and of the choice of finite strain measure for structures very weak in shear, remaining in a state of small strain, is extended to the initial postcritical behavior. For this purpose, consideration of the transverse deformation is found to be essential. It is shown that imperfection sensitivity of such structures, particularly laminate-foam sandwich plates, can arise for a certain range of stiffness and geometric parameters, depending on the proper value of parameter m of the Doyle–Ericksen finite strain tensor, as determined in the previous analysis. The bifurcation is symmetric and Koiter’s 2/3-power law is followed. The analytical predictions of maximum load reductions due to imperfection sensitivity are verified by finite element simulations. The possibility of interaction between different instability modes, particularly lateral deflection and bulging, is also explored, with the conclusion that lateral deflection dominates in common practical situations.     

Postbuckling and imperfection sensitivity of fixed-end and free-end struts on elastic foundation

Summary A study of the postbuckling and imperfection sensitivity of fixed-end and free-end struts on a Winkler elastic foundation is carried out. The configuration and stability of the postbuckling paths bifurcating from the critical points are analysed. For the most part of foundation stiffness, the corresponding postbuckling paths are shown to be falling with respect to load and be unstable. This indicates that, for almost all values of foundation stiffness, the buckling loads of the struts will be sensitive to imperfections. We also obtain imperfection sensitivity of the struts with respect to geometric imperfections having the shape of buckling modes. Received 30 October 1998, accepted for publication 30 March 1999     

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.     

Analysis of Stability on Elastic Plates with Initial Imperfections

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Analysis of Seepage for Power-Law Fluids in the Fractal-Like Tree Network

This work studies the flow characteristics of power-law fluids in the fractal-like tree network. A fractal model is developed for the permeability of power-law fluid flow in fractal-like tree network based on straight capillary model, generalized Darcy’s law and constitutive equation for power-law fluids. Analytical expression for permeability of power-law fluids in the network is presented and found to be a function of network microstructural parameters such as the branching diameter ratio, the branching length ratio, the total number of branching levels, the bifurcation angle, the branching number, the diameter of the zeroth branching level and the power exponent of power-law fluids. Both the phase permeabilities and the relative permeabilities are also derived and found to be a function of power exponent for the wetting phase and non-wetting phase, the saturation and other microstructural parameters and independent of the bifurcation angle.