FINITE-ELEMENTS FOR POSTBUCKLING ANALYSIS .2. APPLICATION TO COMPOSITE PLATE ASSEMBLIES

In a companion paper the authors presented a convenient formulation fo r the stability analysis of structures using the finite element method . The main assumptions are linear elasticity, a linear fundamental pat h and the existence of distinct critical loads. The formulation develo ped is known as the W-formulation, where the energy is written in term s of a sliding set of incremental coordinates measured with respect to the fundamental path. In the present paper a number of applications o f finite elements for post-buckling analysis on composite plate assemb lies are presented. Thin-walled composite plates, I-beams, angle secti ons, and a specially designed box-beam with flanges (unicolumn) are st udied in post-buckling when axially loaded. The results are in good ag reement with previous studies. Moreover, a parametric study involving critical buckling load and geometry is presented for the case of the u nicolumn.