• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
• /
• 2007.04a
• /
• pp.381-386
• /
• 2007

The present study is concerned with the application of Constant arc-length method that proposed by Crisfield in the investigation of the geometrically nonlinear behaviour of spatial structures composed by truss or beam element. The arc-length method can trace the full nonlinear equilibrium path of Spatial structure far beyond the critical point such as limit or bifurcation point. So, we have developed the constant arc-length method of Crisfield to analysis spatial structure. The finite element formulation is used to develop the 3d truss/beam element including the geometrical nonlinear effect. In an effort to evaluate the merits of the methods, extensive numerical studies were carried out on a number of selected structural systems. The advantages of Constant arc length method in tracing the post-buckling behavior of spatial structures, are demonstrated.

• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
• /
• 2006.04a
• /
• pp.935-940
• /
• 2006

Numerical methods are developed for solving the elastica and buckling load of cantilever column with constant volume, subjected to a compressive end load. The linear, parabolic and sinusoidal tapers with the regular polygon cross-sections are considered, whose material volume and span length are always held constant. The differential equations governing the elastica of buckled column are derived. The Runge-Kutta method is used to integrate the differential equations, and the Regula-Falsi method is used to determine the horizontal deflection at free end and the buckling load, respectively. The numerical methods developed herein for computing the elastica and the buckling loads of the columns are found to be efficient and reliable.