Local Buckling Coefficient Calculation Method of Thin Plates with Round Holes

Abstract

When slender parts of plated structural members are under compression the local buckling may govern resistance of the whole structure. In addition to that, holes in those slender parts may reduce the resistance even more. Knowing that holes in different positions of steel structural members are very common, a simple but as precise as possible calculation method of critical buckling force would be beneficial for engineers. In order to create such a method, which would take the influence of the holes into account, an extensive analysis campaign of elastic buckling of thin plates with holes has been carried out. The finite element method was used for the calculations, and analysis of the obtained results derived to a simple calculation expression.The influence of different positioning and diameters of holes on elastic local buckling force is analyzed in the paper, and the developed calculation equation is presented. The proposed calculation method/ equation can be used by engineers in order to easily predict the elastic buckling coefficients and the critical forces of plates with round holes under compression. In order to add more value for engineers, the factors which have influence on the critical buckling force are commented. Also, recommendations for further development and possible extensions of the method are given in the paper.