Lab 10 Tutorial

ME442, Spring 2009

Eigenvalue buckling analysis

Start-up and preliminary set-up

Create a folder (e.g., lab10eb)

Start ANSYS via the ANSYS Product Launcher, specifying working directory
and job name

Set structural preferences: Main Menu, Preferences, check Structural

Preprocessing
Since the geometry does not present particular challenges, the model can be created
conveniently using prompt commands, as follows:
/prep7
!
a
b
t

constants
= 2.3
= 1.1
= 0.01

! keypoints
k,1,0,0
k,2,0,b
k,3,a,b
k,4,a,0
! rectangular area
a,1,2,3,4
et,1,shell93
r,1,t

! element type for shell93

! real constant set for the thickness

mp,ex,1,70e9
mp,prxy,1,0.33

! Young's modulus
! Poisson ratio

esize,b/10
amesh,all

! set element size

! and mesh the area

dl,all,,uz

! simply supported edges

fini

1/7

Lab 10 Tutorial

ME442, Spring 2009

Solution (part 1)

Solution, Analysis Type, New analysis: select Static.

Solution, Analysis Type, Solution Controls: activate the Calculate prestress

effects options.

Apply a pressure load of 1 on the left and right sides

sfl,1,pres,1
sfl,3,pres,1

! line 1 (left side)

! line 3 (right side)

Solution, Solve, Current LS

Exit the solution module, by either minimizing the Solution tree on the Main
Menu, or by typing finish at the prompt.

Solution (part 2)

Solution, Analysis Type, New analysis: select Eigen Buckling.

Solution, Analysis Type, Analysis Options. Select Subspace as Mode extraction

method and set as 3 the number of modes to extract. Leave the default values in
for the next window.

2/7

Lab 10 Tutorial

ME442, Spring 2009

Solution, Solve, Current LS

Exit the solution module, by either minimizing the Solution tree on the Main
Menu, or by typing finish at the prompt.

Solution (part 3)

Solution, Analysis Type, ExpansionPass: set the Expansion Pass to On.

Solution, Load Step Options, ExpansionPass, Single Expand, Expand Modes:

select to expand 3 modes.

3/7

Lab 10 Tutorial

ME442, Spring 2009

Solution, Solve, Current LS

Postprocessing

In the General Postprocessor, under Read Results, select By Pick. Select then the
first non-zero buckling mode (the 2nd one in this case).

Plot it by using, for example, the command line prompt PLDISP,2.

A numerical value of qcr = 212274 N/m is found, in good agreement with the
theoretical one of 214004 N/m. Also the mode shape matched the analytical one,
with a sine with one wave in the Y direction and two waves along Z.

4/7

Lab 10 Tutorial

ME442, Spring 2009

Below are the various commands needed (after the model has been created) to obtain the
solution through eigen-buckling analysis.
/solu
antype,0
pstres,1
sfl,1,pres,1
sfl,3,pres,1
solve
fini
/solu
antype,1
bucopt,subsp,3
solve
fini
/solu
expass,1
mxpand,3,0,0,0,0.001
solve
fini

5/7

Lab 10 Tutorial

ME442, Spring 2009

Nonlinear buckling analysis

The input file is reported next.

/prep7
!
a
b
t

constants
= 2.3
= 1.1
= 0.01

! keypoints
k,1,0,0
k,2,0,b
k,3,a,b
k,4,a,0
! rectangular area
a,1,2,3,4
et,1,shell93
r,1,t

! element type for shell93

! real constant set for the thickness

mp,ex,1,70e9
mp,prxy,1,0.33

! Young's modulus
! Poisson ratio

esize,b/10
amesh,all

! set element size

! and mesh the area

dl,all,,uz
dk,all,ux
dk,all,uy

! extra constraints to avoid

! rigid body motions

/solu
antype,0

! static analysis

nlgeom,1
autots,0
outres,erase
outres,basi,all

6/7

Lab 10 Tutorial

ME442, Spring 2009

time,100000
nsubst,3
sfl,1,pres,120000
sfl,3,pres,120000
f,396,fz,100
f,422,fz,-100
kbc,0
lswrite,1
time,300000
nsubst,36
sfl,1,pres,300000
sfl,3,pres,300000
kbc,0
lswrite,2
lssolve,1,2
fini

For the postprocessor, the time-history module can be used.

7/7