You can also introduce an eigenvalue buckling analysis to estimate the critical buckling loads of your concept shape (classical eigenvalue buckling of a stiff structure). Stiff structures carry their design loads primarily by axial or membrane action, rather than by bending action. Their response usually involves very little deformation before buckling. An example of a stiff structure is the Euler column, which responds very stiffly to a compressive axial load until a critical load is reached, when it bends suddenly and exhibits a much lower stiffness. However, even when the response of a structure is nonlinear before collapse, a general eigenvalue buckling analysis can provide useful estimates of collapse mode shapes. You can specify the number of mode shapes to analyze; however, increasing the number of modes can be computationally expensive. You can also perform a frequency analysis on your concept shape to determine a selected number of modes of vibration. You can use the results of the analysis to confirm that the concept shape satisfies any frequency constraints that you specified. | |||||||