Calculation of the deep bending collapse response for complex thin-walled columns - II. Pre-collapse phase

The increasing complexity of transport vehicles means that more powerful fi nite element models are needed to simulate their crash behaviour. The struc tures cannot be effectively optimized, in terms of peak moment and energy m anagement, by these models which require long calculation times and should only be used as a final verifying tool. Distinct kinematic models have been developed to analytically determine the resistance to collapse of thin-wal led structures subjected to bending loading. Part II of this paper concerns the theoretical prediction of bending strength in the post-failure range f or thin-walled structures of relatively complex geometry with a floating ne utral axis position. It also concerns the validation of the proposed genera lized bending kinematic model with experimental results, numerical results and results of published literature. For all cases considered, the analytic al solution was shown to predict the moment-rotation relationship with an e rror generally below 15%. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserve d.