Influence of nonlinearities on the efficiency and accuracy of FEM calculations on the example of a steel build-up thin-walled column

Gdańsk University of Technology, Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Narutowicza 11/12, 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland

^* Corresponding author: patdeniz@pg.edu.pl

Abstract

Due to the increase of computing capabilities of standard processing units, it is possible to perform complex analyses, considering a number of nonlinearities, such as geometric, material and boundary (contact) even on personal computers. In the paper, the authors have analysed the efficiency and accuracy of standard PC’s FEM calculations performed in Abaqus CAE 2017 software on the example of a critical load assessment of a thin-walled steel column element with selected nonlinearities. A cross-section shape of a built-up column used by an international steel structures manufacturer was adopted. The analysis serves to check the behavior of their product. Several types of FEM analysis, strictly based on the EN standard regulations were performed. In turn, the relation of computational time to the adopted analysis type was obtained. Moreover, the produced load values in different types of independent calculation were compared and analysed. A possible future development in the field, based mainly on full-scale experimental tests, was also highlighted.