An open-source implementation to predict buckling behaviour of cold-formed sections

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The deformation and buckling behaviour of cold-formed sections is a popular research topic. It iscurrently being studied at Stellenbosch University, but only a few tools exist to aid such research ofwhich only one, namely CUFSM [18], is open-source.In this thesis, Finite Strip theory is reviewed to give the reader su cient understanding in order todevelop an implementation. A new, object-oriented Finite Strip Method (FSM) implementation iscreated to demonstrate how the FSM can be used for static analysis of members as well as to predicttheir buckling behaviour. This implementation is then further expanded to include the ability to doDirect Strength based designs directly from the strength curves it calculates. The implementation istested and the results are compared to existing FSM and FEM implementations. The results deliveredby the implementation were found to be similar to those of CUFSM in terms of buckling analysis andsimilar to those of FEM in terms of static analysis.A brief overview of the Direct Strength and E ective Width Methods is provided. The design methodsare compared by looking at three aspects namely: design e ort, accuracy, and economy. The FiniteStrip Method is discussed with emphasis on why this method is favoured as an input for the DirectStrength Method.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University