Buckling Analysis of a Thin-Walled C-Section Channel under Mechanical and Thermal Load

Abstract

Buckling analysis of thin-walled structures is essential to ensure their structural integrity under various loading conditions. The study aims to analyse buckling in thin-walled structures, particularly a C-section channel, under different loads, considering cases with and without holes, using FEM. It investigates hole impact on buckling, critical load, and mode shapes, offering insights for C-section channel design. A finite element method (FEM) is used to model the structure and simulate mechanical and thermal loading conditions. Additionally, the study investigates the critical buckling load factor and mode shapes for both cases with and without holes. The results show that the presence of holes significantly affects the buckling behaviour of the structure. The mode shapes indicate that the buckling behaviour of the structure is different for each case. The critical buckling load factor is lower for the C-section channel with holes, indicating a higher risk of buckling. The results of this study provide insights into the buckling behaviour of thin-walled structures and demonstrate the importance of considering the presence of holes in the design and optimization of C-section channels.