Finite Element Analysis of Curved Thin-Walled Panels

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt.

2 Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

3 Univ. of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom.

Abstract

Two previous published papers by the writers describing the nonlinear behavior of curved Igirder
web panels subjected to pure bending, were presented including experimental and
theoretical analysis. The web slenderness limitation was also presented. A finite element analysis
was needed to validate the applicability of the web slenderness limitation. This paper presents
geometrical nonlinear finite element analysis for curved panels. To simulate the behavior of
curved thin-walled panel subjected to pure bending, three dimensional model is presented. The
effect of flange slenderness on the web buckling was also investigated. The flange slenderness
limitation of the straight panel presented in Euro Code 3 is used for calculating the flange
slenderness limitation for curved thin-walled panel.