Thesis deals with flexural-lateral buckling of asymmetric cross sections, especially assessment according to ČSN EN 1993-1-1. Models are based on bar, shell and solid finite element method. Assessment of software Scia Engineer and RFEM are analysed in bar model. Plate and volume model uses shell and solid elements and initial imperfections. Computing is geometrically nonlinear. Correspondence of bar and plate model is studied. Optimal amplitude is suggested. Simple beam loaded with continuous line loading is taken as an example.

The doctoral thesis is focused on evaluation of global sensitivity analysis of load-carrying capacity of steel hot-rolled beams. These beams are subjected to lateral-torsional buckling, weak axis buckling and strong axis buckling. Very comprehensive computational models which were both geometrically and materially nonlinear were created in Ansys software using solid finite elements to calculate the load-carrying capacity. The computational models allowed modelling of random initial imperfections such as initial curvature, deviations of cross-section dimensions and steel properties. Sensitivity analysis quantified their influence on the load-carrying capacity. Simulation runs of random imperfections were generated using the Latin Hypercube Sampling method. Since the evaluation of sensitivity analysis of load-carrying capacity of all finite element models would cost an extreme amount of computer time, the thesis aimed at developing a meta-model (also known as surrogate model) based on approximation of FEM model. The approximation polynomial then facilitated the evaluation of sensitivity indices using a high number of simulation runs. At the end, the relationships between the slenderness and the first and second-order sensitivity indices are plotted in graphs. Those random input imperfections that influence the variability of load-carrying capacity the most are pointed out.

[pt] Este trabalho tem como objetivo principal estudar o comportamento de flambagem lateral de vigas através de modelos de elementos finitos baseados nas teorias de placas de Kirchhoff e de Mindlin–Reissner. Esses modelos foram combinados com efeitos de membrana, possibilitando a análise de cascas. Foi desenvolvido um código MATLAB para analisar cargas críticas estáticas e dinâmicas, modos de flambagem, frequências e modos de vibração de placas finas e espessas sujeitas a cargas conservativas e cargas não conservativas (também chamadas de seguidoras ou circulatórias). O programa ANSYS foi usado para validação e comparação. Para o cálculo das frequências naturais foram usadas as matrizes de massa e a matriz de rigidez. Para o cálculo da carga crítica estática com carga conservativa, implementa-se a matriz geométrica. Quando há carregamento seguidor não conservativo, é necessário adicionar uma matriz de correção de cargas que é uma matriz assimétrica, achando assim a carga crítica dinâmica, também denominada de flutter. Diferentes condições de contorno e diferentes carregamentos são aplicados em vigas e analisados os casos de flambagem lateral. Valores teóricos encontrados na literatura são comparados com os valores achados usando o método de elementos finitos. A instabilidade lateral de vigas esbeltas tem grande interesse prático, pois em alguns casos pode ocorrer o esgotamento da resistência da peça antes mesmo que seja atingido o estado limite último de flexão. Por isso, o tema flambagem lateral é mencionado em diversas normas nacionais e internacionais, tendo sido feitas algumas comparações com os resultados do programa implementado neste trabalho. / [en] The main objective of this paper is to present results on the lateral buckling of beams using finite elements based on Kirchhoff and Mindlin-Reissner Plate theories, merged with membrane elements in order to include the analysis of shells. A MATLAB code was developed to calculate static and dynamic critical loads, buckling modes, frequencies, and vibration modes of thin and thick plates subjected to conservative and non-conservative (also called follower or circulatory) loads. Mass and stiffness matrices are employed to determine natural frequencies. In the case of conservative loads, static critical loads are calculated by adding a so-called geometric matrix. However, in case of displacement-dependent applied forces, it is necessary to implement a matrix that will correct the loads, designated as load matrix. In the case of conservative forces, the load matrix is symmetric, and in the case of non-conservative forces, it is non-symmetric. In the latter case, the critical load usually will correspond to dynamic behavior designated as flutter. Different boundary conditions and loads are considered and several cases of lateral buckling are investigated. Theoretical values when found in the literature are compared with values determined by Finite Element Method (FEM). The lateral instability of slender beams is very important in practice, because in some situations it may occur prior to ultimate plastic limit state in bending. Therefore, lateral buckling is mentioned in a wide variety of national and international rules, and some comparisons with the results of the computer code developed herein are presented.