A meshfree unit-cell method for effective planar analysis of cellular beams. (1st April 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zainal Abidin, A.R.; Izzuddin, B.A.; Lancaster, F.
• Is Part Of: Computers & structures. Volume 182(2017)
• Page Start: 368
• Page End: 391
• Publication Date: 2017-04-01
• Subjects: Meshfree methods -- Element-Free Galerkin method -- Planar response -- Cellular beams -- Unit-cell formulation; Structural engineering -- Data processing -- Periodicals; Electronic data processing -- Structures, Theory of -- Periodicals; 624.171
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compstruc.2016.09.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0045-7949

Abstract

Highlights: Novel method for planar analysis of cellular beams, as a precursor to accurate local buckling analysis of web components. Proposal of a unit-cell approach, taking advantage of identical cells along beam. Adoption and enhancement of Element Free Galerkin method for application around irregular plates with openings. Development of novel unit-cell super-element formulation utilising flexibility concepts. Realisation of considerable modelling and computational benefits, paving the way for direct application in design. Abstract: This paper presents a novel approach for accurate and efficient planar response analysis of cellular beams, which provides the necessary input for local out-of-plane buckling analysis of web components. The proposed approach utilises the super-element concept defined for unit-cells, achieving further efficiencies through an enhanced Element-Free Galerkin (EFG) approach for establishing the planar super-element response. Several examples are presented, firstly at the level of unit-cells, where the computational benefits of the EFG method are highlighted, and finally at the overall level of cellular beams, where the superior performance of the unit-cell approach with virtually no compromise in accuracy is demonstrated.