A buckling and postbuckling analysis of rods under end torque and compressive load

Abstract

The buckling and postbuckling behavior of spatial rods under different types of end torque and compressive axial force is investigated using finite element method. All coupling among bending, twisting, and stretching deformations for beam element is considered by consistent second-order linearization of the fully geometrically nonlinear beam theory. However, the third order term of the twist rate is also considered. An incremental-iterative method based on the NewtonRaphson method combined with constant arc length of incremental displacement vector is employed for the solution of nonlinear equilibrium equations. The zero value of the tangent stiffness matrix determinant of the structure is used as the criterion of the buckling state. Numerical examples are presented to investigate the effect of aspect ratio of the rectangular cross section and compressive force on the buckling torque and postbuckling behavior of spatial rods under different types of end torque.