ATECO TANK TECHNOLOGIES ENGINEERING SERVICE CO.

ALUMINIUM GEODESIC DOME ROOF

DESIGN PHASES
 FRAME MODELLING ( GEOMETRICAL MODELLING )
 STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS ( FRAME LOADING AND DATAINPUT )
 DESIGN CHECK ( RESULTS AND EVALUATION )
 REPORTING ( PRINTOUT )
 3D MODELLING ( THREE DIMENSIONAL REALISTIC MODELLING )
 ASSEMBLY AND SHOP DRAWING
Support Modules
 WIND AND SNOW CALCULATION
 SEISMIC LOAD CALCULATION
 CROSS-SECTION OPRIMISATION
 TANK SHELL BUCKLING CALCULATION

JAN. 2014
ATECO TANK – ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
www.atecotank.com
 ATECO TANK GEODESIC DOME ROOF DESIGN PHASES
ATECO DOME FRAME MODELLING
STEP-1 FRAME MODELLING
ADFM is intended as a serious design tool for architects, engineers, and designers of
geodesic structures including domes. It can also be very useful for others interested in
studying the many fascinating aspects of geodesic design. ADFM is NOT a cookbook for
building geodesic domes nor does it perform, or confirm, the structural integrity of any
design. Our ADFM application is very well suited for structural analysis of geodesic
structures with many features included especially for this purpose.

ADFM is a design utility that can generate a wide variety of geodesic and spherical (or
ellipsoidal) 3D (wire frame and surface models) for import to CAD or finite element
analysis applications and for generating detail design data for the members that make
up the structure. In addition to generating its own structures, it can import custom
text files of spherical points and element created in other applications to take
advantage of the many geometric analysis features in ADFM.

ADFM can produce tables of hubs, struts, and panels grouped into like types with detail
geometric information. The like-types of hubs, panels, and/or struts can be highlighted
on the structural display. Design drawings of hubs and panels can be output as clean
DXF files suitable for import to CAD or structural analysis applications. ADFM is
compatible the structural analysis application as well as with many CAD drawing
programs.

ADFM is not only a practical design tool but is an educational tool as well. It supports all
major types of geodesic layouts (breakdown methods) for the icosahedron, octahedron,
and tetrahedron for both Class I and II with special features for studying single face
layouts. ADFM is the only geodesic generator application that supports all three
standard breakdown methods for both geodesic class I and II for all the polyhedrons as
discussed in the popular geodesic texts.

GENERAL DATA ( Example )

CONFIGURATION
Spheric
Zenith Z
Radius 46,3303
Rings 10
Sectors 8,0000
Shifted rings 4
Number of nodes 362
HUBS
Number of hubs 361
Number of types 26
PANELS
Number of panels 672
Number of types 44
Surface area 2908,0308
Largest panels 5,7495
Smallest panel 3,4054
Largest minimum width 3,0549
Volume 53535,5476
STRUTS
Number of struts 1032
Number of types 30
Total length 3334,7579
Longest strut 3,7898
Shortest strut 2,3717
Maximum end-angle 2,34
Minimum end-angle 1,47
DOME METRICS
Dome height 10,0200
Base major radius 28,7760
Base minor radius 0,0000
Spherical radius 46,3303
Base area 2593,9987
 ATECO TANK GEODESIC DOME ROOF DESIGN PHASES
ATECO DOME FRAME STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS
STEP-2 STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS
FEA is a powerful 3D FEA program helping structural engineers to meet
requirements in modern civil engineering. Intuitive handling, user friendliness
and efficient data input make working with FEA easy.

The FEA program family is based on a modular system. The main program FEA
is used to define structures, materials and loads for planar and spatial
structural systems consisting of plates, walls, shells and members. Creating
combined structures as well as modeling solid and contact elements is also
possible.

FEA provides deformations, internal and support forces as well as soil contact
stresses. Add-on modules facilitate the data input by creating structures as
well as connections automatically and perform further analyses and designs.

The modular approach allows you to combine all programs individually

according to your needs. Upgrades at a later time are always possible. FEA
offering numerous interfaces represents the perfect tool for a smooth
interaction between CAD and structural analysis in Building Information
Modeling (BIM).

On the following webpages you can get an insight into the possibilities
available in FEA. You can also try the free trial version to calculate and design
structures yourself.

Load Cases / Action Types

In the dialog box "Edit Load Cases and Combinations", you can create and
manage load cases as well as generate action, load and result combinations.
It is possible to assign different types of actions to the individual load cases in
accordance with the selected standard. If several loads have been assigned
to an action type, they can be effective simultaneously or alternatively (for
example wind from either the left or right).

Individual Setting of Calculation Parameters

All types of members can be calculated according to linear static, second-
order or large deformation analysis. This selection option is available for load
cases as well as load combinations. Further calculation parameters can be
set individually for load cases, load and result combinations, which increases
the flexibility regarding calculation method and detailed specifications.

Incremental Load Application

Loads can be applied incrementally. The increment option is especially useful
for calculations according to large deformation analysis. For members you
can take into account shear deformations and relate internal forces to the
deformed or undeformed system. Furthermore, FEA is able to perform a post-
critical analysis.

Wind and Snow Load Generation According to Eurocode

For modeling frameworks load generators are available to create wind loads
according to EN 1991-1-4 and snow loads according to EN 1991-1-3. The load
cases are generated depending on the roof structure. Another generator
creates coating loads (ice). Recurring load combinations can be stored as
templates.

Easy Structure Check

Members can be extended or divided graphically. The structure check detects
input errors like identical nodes or double members quickly and deletes them.
Intersecting members can be connected automatically during the input. The
measure function allows for the determination of lengths and angles for
members and surfaces.

Non-Linearities of Members and Supports

You can specify non-linearities for member end releases (yielding, tearing,
slippage etc.) and supports (including friction). Special dialog boxes are
additionally available to determine spring stiffnesses of columns and walls
based on the geometry input.
 ATECO TANK GEODESIC DOME ROOF DESIGN PHASES
ATECO DOME STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS DESIGN CHECK
STEP-3 DESIGN CHECK
The FEA add-on module ALUMINIUM designs members and sets of members consisting
of aluminum for the ultimate and the serviceability limit state according to the
standard

The data specified in FEA concerning material, loads and load combinations must be
entered in accordance with the design concept described in the Eurocode. The FEA
material library already contains appropriate materials.

Furthermore, FEA allows for an automatic creation of appropriate load combinations in

accordance with the Eurocode. It is also possible to generate all combinations manually
in FEA. In the add-on module ALUMINIUM you select first the members and sets of
members that you want to design. In addition, you determine the load cases, load
combinations and result combinations for the design.

During the next steps, you can adjust the preset settings for lateral intermediate
supports and effective lengths. In case continuous members are used, it is possible to
define individual support conditions and eccentricities for each intermediate node of
the single members.
Then, in the program's background, a special FEA tool determines the critical loads and
moments required for the stability analysis.

 Design for tension, compression, bending, shear and combined internal forces
 Stability analysis for flexural buckling, torsional buckling and lateral torsional
buckling
 Automatic determination of critical buckling loads and critical moment for
lateral torsional buckling for general load applications and support conditions
by means of a special FEA program (eigenvalue analysis) integrated in the
module
 Option to apply discrete lateral supports for beams
 Automatic cross-section classification
 Integration of parameters from national annexes for the following countries:
 DIN EN 1999-1-1/NA:2010-12 (Germany)
 ČSN EN 1999-1-1/NA:2009-02 (Czech Republic)
 IS EN 1999-1-1/NA:2010-03 (Ireland)
 DK EN 1999-1-1/NA:2007-11 (Denmark)
 STN EN 1999-1-1/NA:2011-03 (Slovakia)
 CYS EN 1999-1-1/NA:2009-07 (Cyprus)
 UNI EN 1999-1-1/NA:2011-02-25 (Italy)
 NBN EN 1999-1-1/NA:2011-03 (Belgium)
 NEN-EN 1999-1-1/NA:2011-12 (Netherlands)
 BS EN 1999-1-1/NA:2007+A1:2009 (Great Britain)
 Serviceability limit state design for characteristic, frequent or quasi-
permanent design situation
 Automatic cross-section optimization
 Variety of cross-sections provided, for example I-sections, C-sections,
rectangular hollow sections, square sections, angles with equal and unequal
legs, flat steel, round bars
 Clearly arranged results tables
 Detailed results documentation with references to design equations used and
described in the standard
 Various options to filter and arrange results, including results listed by
member, cross-section, x-location or load cases, load combinations and result
combinations
 Results table for slenderness of members and governing internal forces
 Parts list with weight and volume specifications
 Seamless integration in FEA
 Metric and imperial units
 ATECO TANK GEODESIC DOME ROOF DESIGN PHASES
STEP-4 REPORTING
ATECO DOME FRAME STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS REPORT

 MODEL ( Nodes,Lines;Members,Supports,Cross Sections)

 LOAD CASES & COMBINATIONS
 LOADS
 SUPPORT FORCES
 DEFORMATIONS
 LOCAL DEFORMATIONS
 GLOBAL DEFORMATIONS
 INTERNAL FORCES
 COEFFIENTS FOR BUCKLING
 MEMBER SLENDERNESSES
 CROSS-SECTIONS – INTERNAL FORCES

DESIGN OF ALUMINIUM MEMBERS

 GENERAL DESIGN DATA

 DETAILS
 NATIONAL ANENX
 MATERIALS
 CROSS-SECTIONS
 MEMBERS DETAILS & LENGHTS & EFFECTIVE LENGHTS
 DESIGN BY LOAD CASES AND COMBINATIONS
 DESIGN BY CROSS SECTIONS
 DESIGN BY MEMBERS
 GOVERNING INTERNAL FORCES BY MEMBERS
 MEMBER SLENDERNESSES
 PARTS LISTS BY MEMBER

Colored Representation of Internal Forces

The result tables show available positive and negative internal forces highlighted
by colors. Furthermore, the relation to extreme values is indicated. Result tables
of the design modules use color scales to represent respective design ratios. In
this way, you can quickly find out the design locations that are decisive.

Result Diagrams
The result diagrams of members, surfaces and supports can be configured freely:
You can define smooth ranges with average values or, if necessary, display and
hide the distribution of results. This option helps you to evaluate results
specifically. All diagrams can be integrated in the printout report.

Visualization of Results
Results on the rendered model are represented by a number of colors so that
deformations such as the rotation of a member can be detected easily. Colors and
the range of values can be freely defined in the control panel. Computer animation
of deformations, surface stresses as well as internal forces can be set and saved
as a video file.

Detailed Result Tables

The first result table is represented by a summarized overview making up the
balance for the equilibrium of forces in the structural system and the maximum
deformations. In addition, FEA shows you information concerning the calculation
process. All result tables can be filtered by specific criteria such as extreme
values or design locations.

ALUMINIUM MODULE

The first results table shows the maximum design ratios with the corresponding
design for each designed load case, load combination or result combination.

The subsequent tables show all detailed results sorted by specific subjects in
extendable tree menus. Moreover, it is possible to display all intermediate results
for each location along the members. In this way, you can easily retrace how the
individual designs have been carried out by the module.

The complete module data is part of the FEA printout report. The contents for the
report and the extent of the output data can be selected specifically for the
individual designs.
 ATECO TANK GEODESIC DOME ROOF DESIGN PHASES
ATECO DOME 3D MODELLING
STEP-5 3D MODELLING
3D CAD software for mechanical design

3D CAD software offers an easy-to-use set of tools for 3D mechanical design,

documentation, and product simulation. Digital Prototyping with Inventor
helps you design and validate your products before they are built to deliver
better products, reduce development costs, and get to market faster.
3D CAD software products offer a comprehensive, flexible set of software for
3D mechanical design, product simulation, tooling creation, engineer to order,
and design communication. Inventor takes you beyond 3D to Digital
Prototyping by enabling you to produce an accurate 3D model that can help
you design, visualize, and simulate your products before they are built. Digital
Prototyping with Inventor helps companies design better products, reduce
development costs, and get to market faster.
3D mechanical design software includes CAD productivity and design
communication tools that can help you reduce errors, communicate more
effectively, and deliver more innovative product designs faster. The Inventor
model is an accurate 3D digital prototype that can validate the form, fit, and
function of a design as you work and unites direct modeling and parametric
workflows so you always have the right tool for the job.
3D CAD software can help you design, visualize, and simulate a more complete
digital representation of your end product. It includes all of the core 3D
mechanical design, CAD productivity, and design communication functionality
of Autodesk Inventor plus extended capabilities for:

Features

Engineering design productivity

Digital Prototyping
Easy-to-use 3D mechanical design
Large assembly design
Sheet metal design
Rules-based design/automation
Catalog/purchased/standard part library
Frame and weldment design
Plastic parts design
Mold, and tool and die
Electrical systems design/tube and pipe runs

Visualization
Real-time design visualization

Simulation and design validation

Validate performance with simulation and FEA
Point cloud tools
Select material by environmental/cost impact
Assembly collision and interference detection
Check for manufacturability
Draft analysis

CAD file conversion and compatibility

Review/mark up DWG™, DWF™, and PDF files
Mobile and online sharing of 3D designs
BIM interoperability
Native translators

CAD rendering and design documentation

Professional drafting and documentation tools
Native support for DWG files
Automatic drawing view creation
BOM generation
International standards support
 ATECO TANK GEODESIC DOME ROOF DESIGN PHASES
ATECO DOME ASSEMBLY DRAWINGS (TYPICAL LIST )
STEP-6 ASSEMBLY – SHOP DRAWING
 GENERAL ARRENGEMENT DRAWINGS.
 BEAM PLAN ASSEMBLY DRAWING.
 NODE PLAN ASSEMBLY DRAWINGS.
 SHEET PLAN ASSEMBLY DRAWINGS.
 FULL STRUCTURE ASSEMBLY DRAWING.
 1 SEGMENT STRUCTURE ASSEMBLY DRAWING.
 OUTWARD STRUCTURE ASSEMBLY DRAWING
 INWARD STRUCTURE ASSEMBLY DRAWING
 DOME LIFTING POINT TYPICAL ARRANGEMENT
 LIFTING PLAN
 LIFTING JOINT ARRANGEMENT DRAWING
 ANCHOR BOLT ARRANGEMENT DRAWING
 BATTEN-SKIN INSTALLATION DRAWING
 BATTEN-SKIN PANEL AND NODE INSTALLATION PLAN
 TYPICAL NODE CONNECTION INSTALLATION DETAIL
 FIXED SUPPORT INSTALLATION DETAIL
 SLIDING SUPPORT INSTALLATION DETAIL
 CENTRE/FREE VENT DETAIL
 CENTRE/FREE VENT INSTALLATION DETAIL
 TRI-ANGULAR SKYLIGHT INSTALLATION DETAIL
 NODE INSTALLATION DETAILS
 HUB COVER INSTALLATION DETAILS
 CENTER SAFETY LINE INSTALLATION DETAIL,
 LIFTING LUG DETAIL
 GAUGE PIPE BOOT DETAILS
 GAUGE PIPE BOOT INSTALLATION DRAWING
 HUB CONNECTION ASSEMBLY DETAILS
 MANHOLE COVER INSTALLATION DETAIL
 GAUGE HATCH COVER INSTALLATION DETAIL
 NOZZLE CONNECTION DETAILS
 FIRE FIGHTING SYSTEM INSTALLATION DETAILS
 PLATFORM AND WALKWAY INSTALLATION DETAILS
 TYPICAL BEAM AND SECTIONAL DETAIL DRAWINGS
ATECO TANK GEODESIC DOME ROOF DESIGN PHASES
ATECO DOME STRUT CROSS SECTION OPTIMISATION
CROSS-SECTION OPTIMISATION
Section Properties of Thin-Walled Sections,
Elastic and Plastic Design
SPO can be run independently. This program calculates the cross-section properties
for thin-walled sections of any shape and determines their stresses. There exists an
interface to SAS and FEA: SPO sections are also accessible in the framework and FEA
programs, and vice versa it is possible to import the internal forces from SAS and FEA
into SPO. The sections can be defined graphically, in tables or by importing a DXF file.
Features
 Modeling of the cross-section via elements, sections, arcs and point elements
 Expandable library of material properties, yield strengths and limit stresses
 Section properties of open, closed or non-connected cross-sections
 Ideal section properties for sections featuring different materials
 Stress analysis, inclusive of design for primary and secondary torsion
 Check for (c/t) ratios of compression parts
 Effective cross-section according to
 DIN 18800-2:1990-11
 EN 1993-1-5:2006
 Classification according to EN 1993-1-1:2005
 Interface with MS Excel to import and export tables
 Printout report with option to print short form
Cross-Section Properties
 Cross-sectional area A
 Shear areas A y, Az, Au and Av
 Centroid position yS, z S
 Second moments of area Iy, Iz, Iyz, Iu, Iv, Ip, IpM
 Radii of gyration iy, iz, iyz, iu, iv, ip, ipM
 Inclination of principal axes α
 Section weight G
 Section perimeter U
 Torsional constants J, JSt.Venant, JBredt, Jsecondary
 Location of shear center yM, zM
 Warping constants IωS, IωM resp. IωD for lateral restraint
 Max/Min section moduli Sy, Sz, Su, Sv, SωM with locations
 Section ranges ru, rv, rM,u, rM,v according to DIN 4114
 Reduction factor λM
Plastic Section Properties
 Axial force Npl,d
 Shear forces Vpl,y,d, Vpl,z,d, Vpl,u,d, Vpl,v,d
 Bending moments Mpl,y,d, Mpl,z,d, Mpl,u,d, Mpl,v,d
 Section moduli Zy, Zz, Zu, Zv
 Shear areas Apl,y, Apl,z, Apl,u, Apl,v
 Position of area bisection axes fu, fv
 Display of the inertia ellipse
Statical Moments
 First moments of area Qu, Qv, Qy, Qz with location of maxima and specification of
shear flow
 Warping coordinates ωM
 Warping areas QωM
 Cell areas Am
Stresses
 Normal stresses σx due to axial force, bending moments and warping bimoment
 Shear stresses τ due to shear forces as well as primary and secondary torsional
moments
 Equivalent stresses σeqv with customizable factor for shear stresses
 Stress ratios, related to limit stresses
 Stresses for element edges or center lines
Shear Wall Sections
 Section properties of non-connected cross-sections.
 Shear wall shear forces due to bending and torsion
Plastic Analysis
 Plastic capacity design with determination of the enlargement factor αpl
 Check of the (c/t) ratios following the design methods el-el, el-pl or pl-pl
according to DIN 18800
 ATECO TANK GEODESIC DOME ROOF WIND LOAD CALCULATION
ATECO DOME WIND LOAD CALCULATION

MecaWind is a cost effective program used by Engineers and

designers to perform Wind calculations per ASCE 7-05 and ASCE 7-
10. The program is simple to use, and offers a professional looking
output with all necessary wind calculations. The user also has a great
deal of conrol at their fingertips to customize their output to suite
their needs.

The base version of the software is Wind, and it offers the most cost
effective option of performing wind calculations. Wind Pro offers the
same calculations, with the added benefit of being able to graphically
see all Main Wind Force Resisting System (MWFRS) pressures on each Input Parameters: Detailed Wind Load Design (Method 2) per ASCE 7-05
Basic Wind Speed(V) = 122,00 mph Structure Type = BUILDING
surface. Seeing the pressures graphically gives the user a real Structural Category
Natural Frequency
=
= N/A
III Exposure Category
Flexible Structure
=
=
C
No
advantage at being able to visualize what is physically Importance Factor
Alpha
=
=
1,15
9,50
Kd Directional Factor =
Zg
0,85
= 900,00 ft

occuring. Figure 3 shows a typical MWFRS graphic. The user can turn At
Am
=
=
0,11
0,15
Bt
Bm
=
=
1,00
0,65
Cc = 0,20 l = 500,00 ft
on/off different surfaces, change colors or rotate and manipulate the Epsilon
f: Dome Height
=
=
0,20
20,00 ft
Zmin =
hD: Cylinder Base Height=
15,00 ft
45,00 ft
graphic just as you could in any 3D modeling package. In addition you D: Cylinder Base Dia = 100,00 ft

can toggle between Wind Direction, +/- Internal Building Pressures Gust Factor Calculations
Gust Factor Category I Rigid Structures - Simplified Method
and Minimum wind pressures with ease. Gust1: For Rigid Structures (Nat. Freq.>1 Hz) use 0.85 = 0,85

Gust Factor Category II Rigid Structures - Complete Analysis

Zm: 0.6*Ht = 33,00 ft
lzm: Cc*(33/Zm)^0.167 = 0,20
Lzm: l*(Zm/33)^Epsilon = 500,00 ft
Q: (1/(1+0.63*((D+Ht)/Lzm)^0.63))^0.5 = 0,88
Gust2: 0.925*((1+1.7*lzm*3.4*Q)/(1+1.7*3.4*lzm)) = 0,86

Gust Factor Summary

Not a Flexible Structure use the Lessor of Gust1 or Gust2 = 0,85

Figure 6-5 Internal Pressure Coefficients for Buildings, GCpi

GCPi : Internal Pressure Coefficient = +/-0,18

Base Cylinder Wind Pressures per Figure 6-21:

h: Height of Cylinder = 45,00 ft

D: Outer Diameter of Cylinder = 100,00 ft
h/D: h / D = 0,5
Cf: Force Coeff for Moderately Smooth Round - Figure 6-21 = 0,500
Kz: Velocity pressure Coefficient @ Top of Cylinder = 1,070
Kzt: Topographic Factor = 1,000
Kd: Directionality Factor = 0,950
G: Gust Factor = 0,850
qz: Velocity Pressure: 0.00256*Kz*Kzt*Kd*V^2 = 39,84 psf
P: Wind Pressure Acting on Cylinder: qz*G*Cf = 16,93 psf

External Pressure Coefficients for Domed Roof, Cp per Figure 6-7

D-Diameter of cylinder structure = 100,00 ft

f-Height of Dome = 20,00 ft
hD-Height of cylinder base = 45,00 ft
f/D = 0,20
hD/D = 0,45

Point Cp Wind Press (-GCpi) Wind Press (+GCpi)

psf psf
------ ---------- ------------------ ------------------
A -0,906 -24,532 -39,495
B -1,016 -28,430 -43,393
C -0,450 -8,417 -23,380

Load Case A - Linear Interpolation between pt A & B and B & C

Line # X Wind Press (-GCpi) Wind Press (+GCpi)

ft psf psf
------ ---------- ------------------ ------------------
0 ,000 -24,532 -39,495
1 12,500 -25,506 -40,469
2 25,000 -26,481 -41,444
3 37,500 -27,456 -42,419
4 50,000 -28,430 -43,393
5 62,500 -23,427 -38,390
6 75,000 -18,423 -33,387
7 87,500 -13,420 -28,383
8 100,000 -8,417 -23,380

Note: D/8 = 12,5 ft

Notes - Case A
Load Case B - Const value of A <= 25 Deg, linear interpolation on remainder

Line # X Wind Press (-GCpi) Wind Press (+GCpi)

ft psf psf
------ ---------- ------------------ ------------------
0 ,000 -24,532 -39,495
1 18,606 -24,532 -39,495
2 34,303 -26,481 -41,444
3 50,000 -28,430 -43,393
4 62,500 -23,427 -38,390
5 75,000 -18,423 -33,387
6 87,500 -13,420 -28,383
7 100,000 -8,417 -23,380

Notes - Case B
 ATECO TANK SHELL BUCKLING ANALYSIS
ATECO DOME WIND LOAD CALCULATION

Plate Buckling Analysis for Plates with or Without Stiffeners

The ATECO program PLATE-BUCKLING is used to perform plate buckling
analyses for rectangular plates according to the following standards:
 EN 1993-1-5:2006
 DIN 18800-3:1990-11
You can apply horizontal or vertical stiffeners to the plates (for example flat
plates, angles, T-stiffeners, trapezoidal stiffeners, C-sections). Loading on the
plate boundaries can be applied in several ways. It is also possible to import
them from FEA.
The plate buckling design in PLATE-BUCKLING always takes into account the
total buckling panel because in this way stiffeners that may be available are
considered in the 3D FE model. Thus, designs for single (c/t) parts or buckling
panel sections are omitted.
 The following national annexes (NAs) are available for the design according to
Eurocode 3:
o DIN EN1993-1-5/NA:2010-12 (Germany)
o CSN EN1993-1-5/NA:2008-07 (Czech Republic)
o UNI EN1993-1-5/NA:2011-02 (Italy)
o NBN EN 1993-1-5/NA:2011-03 (Belgium)
In addition to the NAs listed above, you can specify user-defined NAs with your
own factors.
 Import of all relevant internal forces from FEA by selecting numbers of
members and buckling panels with determination of governing boundary
stresses
 Summary of stresses in load cases with determination of governing load
 Separate materials can be set for stiffener and plate
 Import of stiffeners from comprehensive library (flat plate and bulb flat steel,
angle, T-, C- and trapezoidal stiffener)
 Determination of effective widths according to EN 1993-1-5 (table 4.1 or 4.2)
or DIN 18800 part 3 eq. (4)
 Optional calculation of critical local buckling stresses by analytical formulas
of annexes A.1, A.2, A.3 of EC 3 or by means of FEA calculation
 Designs (stress, deformation, torsional buckling) of longitudinal and
transverse stiffeners
 Option to consider buckling effects according to DIN 18800, part 3, eq. (13)
 Photo-realistic representation (3D rendering) of buckling panel including
stiffeners, stress conditions and buckling modes with animation
 Documentation of all input and output data in printout report prepared for
test engineer
Analysis
Analyses are carried out successively by eigenvalue calculation of the ideal
buckling values for the individual stress conditions as well as of the buckling value
for the simultaneous effectiveness of all stress components.

The performance of the buckling analysis is based on the method of reduced

stresses, comparing the acting stresses with a limit stress condition reduced
from the yield condition of von Mises for each buckling panel. The basis for the
design is a single global slenderness ratio determined on the basis of the entire
stress field. Thus, an analysis of single loading and the subsequent merging via
interaction criterion is omitted.

To determine the plate buckling behavior which is similar to the behavior of a

buckling member, PLATE-BUCKLING calculates the eigenvalues of the ideal panel
buckling values with freely assumed longitudinal edges. Then, slenderness ratios
and reduction factors are determined according to EN 1993-1-5, Chapter 4 or
Annex B, or DIN 18800, part 3, Table 1. Finally, the analysis is performed in
accordance with EN 1993-1-5, Chapter 10, or DIN 18800, part 3, Eq. (9), (10) or (14).

The buckling panel is discretized in finite quadrilateral or, if necessary, triangular

elements. Each node of an element has six degrees of freedom.

The bending component of the triangular element is based on the LYNN-DHILLON

element (2 nd Conf. Matrix Meth. JAPAN – USA, Tokyo) according to the bending
theory described by Mindlin. The membrane component, however, is based on the
BERGAN-FELIPPA element. The quadrilateral elements consist of four triangular
elements and the inner node is eliminated.