Thin-Walled Structures 142 (2019) 414–425

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Thin-Walled Structures
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Full length article

Modal buckling analysis of thin-walled members with rounded corners by T

using the constrained finite strip method with elastic corner elements
Zoltán Beregszászi, Sándor Ádány∗
Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Dept. Structural Mechanics, Hungary

A R T I C LE I N FO A B S T R A C T

Keywords: In this paper modal decomposition of thin-walled structural members with rounded corners is discussed. Modal
Linear buckling analysis decomposition is a process which separates the characteristic behaviour types. If modal decomposition is applied
Thin-walled members in buckling analysis, pure uncoupled buckling modes can readily be analysed, such as pure global buckling, pure
Rounded corners distortional buckling or pure local-plate buckling. Ability to calculate critical loads to a pure buckling mode is
Modal decomposition
highly beneficial in the design of thin-walled structural members, for example in the design of cold-formed steel
Constrained finite strip method
beams or columns. However, cold-formed steel profiles are always produced with rounded corners, and earlier
studies showed that the now-used modal decomposition techniques of the constrained finite strip/element
method sometimes fail to lead to reasonable results if the rounded corners are directly modelled in the analysis.
In this paper a special version of the constrained finite strip method is presented and discussed. The proposed
method introduces elastic corner elements, which makes it possible to perform the modal decomposition by the
same process used for members with sharp corners, even if the rounded corners are directly modelled, still the
results of pure buckling modes satisfy the engineering expectations. The theoretical background of the proposal
is briefly summarized, then the elastic-corner approach is discussed by detailed analysis of sample examples as
well as by an extended parametric study.

1. Introduction described by D deformations, or local-plate buckling or shear buckling

1.1. Background
During the last several decades structural members made of cold-
formed steel (CFS) are increasingly popular, and by now CFS members
became the most typical solutions in certain applications (e.g., purlins).
An essential feature of CFS structural members is their high slenderness.
From behavior/design aspect, therefore, buckling has pronounced im-
portance. The typical approach to calculate the design buckling capa-
city of thin-walled members is based on the calculation of linear elastic
critical load from which the load bearing capacity can be predicted by
using some standardized design procedure, depending on the type of
buckling and on the selected design code.
Three major characteristic deformation types are usually dis-
tinguished: global (G), distortional (D), and local-plate (L). However,
two further (practically less important) types can be introduced: the
shear (S) and transverse extension (T) deformations. Classic buckling
types can be categorized accordingly, for example flexural buckling of
columns or lateral-torsional buckling of beams can be described G de-
formations, or the distortional buckling of CFS members can be
of plates can be described by L deformations. Although in practical si-
tuations the buckling types rarely appear in isolation, the GDLST clas-
sification has still been found useful, especially in capacity prediction,
since capacity prediction requires the critical loads associated with the
various isolated buckling types (which will also be referred to as pure
buckling mode).
Critical load calculation for thin-walled members is usually ac-
complished by some numerical method. Today the finite element
method (FEM) is the most popular numerical method in engineering,
and can also be applied for thin-walled structural members, e.g. by
using shell finite elements. It is general and can be used to analyse
almost any thin-walled member, however, FEM is not able to separate
the various buckling types, which often makes capacity calculation
ambiguous. It is highly advantageous, therefore, to use some numerical
methods in which separation of the various deformation types (in other
words: modal decomposition of the deformations) is automatic.
The generalized beam theory (GBT) has shown that buckling de-
formations may be formally treated in a modal nature that mechani-
cally separates global, distortional, local, and other deformations. This
formal separation is integral to GBT, and allows pure buckling mode

∗
Corresponding author.
E-mail addresses: zbereg@epito.bme.hu (Z. Beregszászi), sadany@epito.bme.hu (S. Ádány).

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tws.2019.04.058
Received 6 December 2018; Received in revised form 1 April 2019; Accepted 29 April 2019
Available online 25 May 2019
0263-8231/ © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Z. Beregszászi and S. Ádány Thin-Walled Structures 142 (2019) 414–425

Fig. 1. Typical signature curves.

calculations and measurements of modal participation in coupled aim of the current paper is the in-depth analysis of the elastic-corner
modes. GBT was first worked out for unbranched open and simple approach in order to check its performance in the linear buckling
closed cross-sections [1], then later extended to more general cross- analysis of thin-walled structural members with rounded corners.
sections, see e.g. Refs. [2,3].
Another method with modal decomposition feature is the con-
1.2. Illustration of the problem of rounded corners in modal decomposition
strained finite strip method (cFSM), which is based on the semi-ana-
lytical finite strip method (FSM). FSM has been proposed by Cheung
A basic feature of the production process for cold-formed steel
[4], later popularized by Hancock [5]. Accessibility of FSM was en-
members is that the corners of the final products are rounded. When
hanced by the introduction of the open source software CUFSM [6]. The
such a member is modelled and analyzed by FSM, it is straightforward
mechanical criteria embedded in GBT led to the development of cFSM,
to model the corner region by multiple (very) narrow strips; in this way
see e.g. Refs. [7–9], which is also implemented into CUFSM. The basic
the real geometry of the member can smoothly be approximated. While
idea of cFSM is to transform the nodal basis system of FSM into a modal
this finite strip model leads to accurate results in case of a conventional
basis system, in which modal system the various deformation types are
FSM analysis (i.e., first- or second-order analysis, or linear buckling
separated. cFSM possesses the ability of modal decomposition as well as
analysis), it causes difficulties in constrained FSM. The difficulty caused
mode identification in a manner similar to GBT.
by rounded corners is illustrated here by some numerical examples.
More recently further methods with modal decomposition ability
In Fig. 1 the so-called signature curve is shown for a thin-walled
have been proposed. In Refs. [10–13] two versions of constrained spline
cross-section subjected to compression: the critical stresses are plotted
finite strip methods have been introduced by two independent research
in terms of the buckling length. In the actual figure a lipped channel
teams, while in Ref. [14] the cFSM has been extended to shear loading.
profile is considered, with web depth of 120 mm, flange widths of
It is a common feature of any of these methods with modal decom-
60 mm, lip lengths of 15 mm, and with a thickness of 1.5 mm. The
position ability that the modal decomposition is problematic if the
member is assumed to be a cold-formed steel member, with a corner
member model includes narrow, nearly parallel flat parts. This situation
radius of 4 mm. This case is marked as: 120-60-15-4-1.5, which nota-
might occur if rounded corners or small stiffeners are directly modelled,
tion scheme will also be applied throughout this paper. (Note that all
e.g. by approximating them with multiple narrow strips. The case of
the dimensions are for the midline of the cross-section.) The curves are
rounded corners is especially pronounced in the practice, since cold-
shown in various options: conventional FSM (i.e., unconstrained) so-
formed steel members are always produced with rounded corners due
lutions for sharp-corner and rounded-corned models, as well as the
to technological reasons.
pure-mode solutions for the sharp-corner cases (calculated by cFSM).
The problem of modal decomposition in members with rounded
As it is well-known, and also obvious from the figures, for short
corners has been identified and discussed in Ref. [15] in the context of
lengths the local buckling governs, for long lengths global buckling
cFSM. Though the base system transformation can technically be
governs (in this case: flexural and/or flexural-torsional buckling), while
completed even in these cases, the distinction of local and distortional
for intermediate lengths distortional buckling governs. It is also ob-
modes fails to comply with the engineering expectations. In Refs.
servable that the direct consideration of rounded corners does not in-
[15–17] some practical solutions have also been proposed for how to
duce significant change in the tendencies of the curves. Finally, the
utilize the advantages of modal decomposition in the buckling design of
figure also illustrates that pure mode critical values are typically larger,
members with rounded corners. However, in these proposals the modal
but only slightly larger than unconstrained critical values. The differ-
decomposition is completed on sharp-corner member models only.
ence between pure-mode and unconstrained critical values is dependent
Later, in Refs. [18,19] two approaches have been introduced for the
on the length (i.e. dependent on the type of the buckling): typical ob-
real modal decomposition of rounded-corner members by using special
servation is that it is maximum few percentages for L and G cases, while
versions of cFSM, with some proof-of-concept examples. The so-called
it can be 10–30% for D cases. (It is to note here that in the presented
rigid-corner approach has been discussed in a detailed way in Ref. [20].
example the calculation is performed with zero Poisson's ratio, in order
It is to note that meanwhile the problem of rounded corners has
to avoid the artificially increased stiffness of G and D modes due to
been addressed by GBT, too. A possible solution is proposed in Ref.
restrained transverse contraction, as discussed in Ref. [26].)
[21], while an alternative proposal appeared very recently in Ref. [22].
The problem caused by the direct modelling of the rounded corners
It is also to note that novel, energy-based approaches have been pro-
can readily be illustrated by using the signature curves. Three cases are
posed for the modal decomposition, see e.g. Refs. [23–25], which might
considered here: 120-40-15-2-1.0, 120-60-15-4-1.5, and 120-80-15-6-
be useful for the handling of rounded corners.
2.0. This means that various cross-section geometries are employed
In this paper the modal decomposition of thin-walled members with
with very different width-to-height ratios (from 0.33 to 0.67), with
rounded corners is discussed within the context of the cFSM. In Ref.
various thicknesses (1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mm), and with various corner radii
[20] it was concluded that the so-called rigid-corner approach is the-
including unusually small and large radii. The buckling problems are
oretically impressive, but inherently includes some overestimation of
solved in various options, for a wide range of lengths, taking always the
the critical loads due to the assumed rigid nature of the corners. Thus,
lowest critical load. The options are: with and without considering the
the elastic corner approach of [19] seems to be more promising. The
rounded corners, and with applying various modal constraints,

415
Z. Beregszászi and S. Ádány Thin-Walled Structures 142 (2019) 414–425

Fig. 2. Pure mode solutions for sharp and rounded models, member 120-40-15-2-1.0.

Fig. 3. Pure mode solutions for sharp and rounded models, member 120-60-15-46-1.5.

including G, D, and L constraints (leading to pure global, pure distor-

tional, and pure local buckling, respectively), and including all the
modal basis system (leading to a solution practically identical to un-
constrained FSM solution).
If pure-mode solutions are calculated for rounded-corner models by
simply following the cFSM procedure (as will be summarized in Section
2.1), the solutions partially fail to comply with the engineering ex-
pectations. Pure-mode solutions are shown in Figs. 2–4, both with
sharp-corner and rounded-corner models. While pure G curves show the
expected tendencies, pure L and pure D curves show unexpected ones.
One strange phenomenon is that pure L critical values of rounded-
corner models are too large w.r.t. their sharp-corner counterparts. An-
other strangeness is that the pure D curve has two minima: one in the D
region (where it is expected), and one in the L region (where it is not Fig. 5. Typical cross-section deformations for local buckling.
expected). But even in the former case the calculated minimal D critical
stress with the rounded corners is unexpectedly low compared to the
subjected to concentric axial compression. If a similar cFSM buckling
similar D critical stress with the sharp corners. As the figures prove, the
analysis is performed on a member modelled with rounded corners, and
above phenomena are essentially independent of the actual geometry of
with enforcing pure local buckling, the buckled cross-section shape is
the cross-section or of the actual value of the corner radius, it equally
different, as shown in Fig. 5b). The buckled shape in accordance with
exists whether the corner radius is small or large.
the engineering expectation is presented in part c) of the figure, which
The problem might be understood by observing the buckled shapes.
shape might be obtained e.g. from a conventional FSM analysis.
In Fig. 5 buckled shapes are shown for the local buckling of a C-shaped
The above described phenomenon is a direct consequence of the
cross-section. In Fig. 5a) the well-known deformed cross-section is
applied mode definitions. As we will see later (in Section 2.1), nodal
shown for the first local buckling mode (i.e., with the lowest critical
lines at corners (i.e. intersection of two non-parallel strips) can and do
stress) of a C-shaped member with sharp corners if the member is

Fig. 4. Pure mode solutions for sharp and rounded models, member 120-80-15-6-2.0.

416
Z. Beregszászi and S. Ádány
Fig. 6. Finite strip discretization, degrees of freedom.
displace in D modes, while do not displace in L modes. If the rounded
corners are modelled by multiple narrow strips, there are multiple
corner nodes at each corner region, the displacement of all of them
being forced to be zero by the pure L constraints. That is why the whole
corner zones in Fig. 5b) are practically undeformed, leading to very
high pure L critical load values. On the other hand, in order to get a
buckled shape shown in Fig. 5c), i.e. a buckled shape that is expected
and desired from practical engineering aspect, small nodal displace-
ments of the nodal lines in the corner zones are needed. These small
displacements are allowed in the D deformations, that is why D de-
formations are important in the region of local buckling, and that is
why pure D buckling solution at small lengths is similar to engineering
local-plate buckling.
1.3. Aim, outline
In this paper an approach is presented and discussed, which aims to
solve the difficulties of modal constraints applied on member with di-
rectly modelled rounded corners. Previously the so-called rigid-corner
approach has been proposed [18] and discussed [20]. Here, the so-
called elastic corner approach is discussed. The concept of the elastic
corner approach has been introduced in Ref. [19], where proof-of-
concept examples are presented. In this paper the in-depth analysis of
the elastic-corner approach is provided. First some selected examples
are shown, the results of which give guidance how the pure buckling
modes of members with rounded corners should be calculated so that
the results would satisfy the engineering expectations. Then, a para-
metric study is completed: large number of lipped channel column
members are considered covering a wide range of possible cross-section
geometries, buckling problem is solved with and without considering
the rounded corners, and with and without applying modal constraints.
Finally, the results are evaluated.
2. cFSM with elastic corner elements
2.1. The finite strip and constrained finite strip method
The finite strip method (FSM) is similar to a shell finite element
method, but with the substantial difference that longitudinal and
transverse directions are distinguished, and different shape functions
are employed in the two directions: trigonometric functions in the
longitudinal direction, while classic first- or third-order polynomial
functions in the transverse direction. The method is most efficient if the
longitudinal trigonometric functions satisfy the end restraint conditions
and well represent the behavior of the analyzed member, so that dis-
cretization in the longitudinal direction is not needed at all. Such
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Thin-Walled Structures 142 (2019) 414–425
special finite elements are called strips, and the method is the (semi-
analytical) finite strip method, or FSM in short. Within a strip, local in-
plane (u,v) and out-of-plane (w) displacement functions are expressed
as the product of longitudinal and transverse shape functions. In linear
buckling analysis of members with simple end restraints, for example,
simple sine and cosine functions are applicable as longitudinal shape
functions, and the displacements within one element are approximated
as follows.
u mπy
u (x , y ) = [ f11st f21st ] ⎡u1 ⎤ sin
⎢ 2⎥ a (1)
⎣ ⎦
v mπy
v (x , y ) = [ f11st f21st ] ⎡ v1 ⎤ cos
⎢ 2⎥ a (2)
⎣ ⎦
w
⎡ 1⎤
Θ mπy
w (x , y ) = [ f13rd f23rd f33rd f43rd ] ⎢ w1 ⎥ sin .
⎢ 2⎥ a
⎢ Θ2 ⎥
⎣ ⎦ (3)
where the f functions are 1st-order Lagrangian or 3rd-order Hermite
polynomials, a is the member length, b is the strip width, the coordinate
systems are shown in Fig. 6, in which a thin-walled structural member
is illustrated with finite strip discretization. The m parameter is an in-
teger, its physical meaning is the number of half-waves along the
length. In a typical FSM analysis m is usually taken as 1. The above
formulae represent locally and globally pinned boundary conditions at
both member ends. Other end restraints can also be handled, but the
longitudinal trigonometric shape functions must by changed accord-
ingly. For more general restraints functions series are necessary.
By using the above interpolations various classical engineering
problems can readily be solved, for example first- or second-order static
analysis, vibration analysis. In case of linear buckling analysis, which is
the topic of this paper, a generalized eigenvalue problem must be
solved as follows:
K e Φ − ΛK g Φ = 0 (4)
where Ke and Kg are the elastic and geometric stiffness matrices, re-
spectively, the size of which is 4n by 4n, where n is the number of nodal
lines. The stiffness matrices can be compiled from the elementary
stiffness matrices of the strips, as usual in finite element or finite strip
method. The solution of the eigenvalue problem leads to
Λ = diag [λ1 λ2 λ3 … λ 4n ] and Φ = [φ1 φ2 φ3 … φ4n ] (5)
where λi is the critical load multiplier and φi is the mode shape vector
(i = 1 … 4 × n). It is to note that the calculations presented in this
paper are performed by using the (extended version of) CUFSM soft-
ware [6], which closely follows the above equations and procedures.
Z. Beregszászi and S. Ádány Thin-Walled Structures 142 (2019) 414–425

−1
Table 1 dround
c = −(K round
c, c ) K round
c, f dround
f . (11)
Mechanical criteria for mode classes in cFSM.
It is to note that the above matrix inversion needs not practically be
mechanical criteria G D L S/T
performed, since the above expression is nothing else than the solution
εx = ∂u/ ∂x = 0 & γxy = ∂u/ ∂y + ∂v / ∂x = 0 Yes Yes Yes No of a linear system of equations.
v≠0 & transverse equilibrium Yes Yes No – Therefore, the whole displacement vector of the rounded-corner
κ x = ∂2w / ∂x 2 = 0 Yes No – – model can be expressed from the displacements of the flat parts only, as
follows:
round
The constrained FSM (cFSM) is an extension to FSM in which special ⎡d f ⎤ ⎡ I ⎤ dround
dround = ⎢ = −1
constraints are applied to enforce the deformations to be consistent round ⎥ ⎢− (K round ) K round ⎥ f
d
⎣ c ⎦ ⎣
c , c c, f ⎦ (12)
with a desired set of mechanical criteria. The criteria, summarized in
Table 1, lead to relationship between nodal degrees of freedom (DOF), where I is an identity matrix of appropriate size. The above equation
which relationships can be expressed by constraint matrices. When can also be written as:
some specific constraints are enforced, the DOF number of the model is dround = Rcdround
f (13)
reduced, for example the enforcement of criteria of global (G) de-
c
formations lead to the G deformation space, which is a sub-space of the where R can be described as a constraint matrix for the rounded cor-
displacement-deformation space given by the original FSM nodal de- ners, which defines how the nodal displacements are expressed from
grees of freedom. If the various sub-spaces are constructed (based on those of the nodes at the flat parts.
the criteria summarized in Table 1, though some further criteria are
practically necessary, too), we will have the G, D, L, S and T sub-spaces, 2.3. Modal constraints in FSM with elastic corner elements
so that the sum of these sub-spaces finally span the original FSM space.
In other words, therefore, the systematic application of the constraining When modal constraints are intended to apply to an FSM model
process will transform the original nodal degrees of freedom to prac- with rounded corners, first we need to define a similar member with
tically meaningful modal degrees of freedom. sharp corners. It is practically advantageous to use a discretization si-
Mathematically, any FSM displacement vector d, including an ei- milar to that used in the model with rounded corners, so, let us assume
genvector (i.e. buckling mode) φi , may be constrained to any de- that identical discretization is applied for the flat parts of the member in
formation space (or mode space) M via: both the sharp-corner and the rounded-corner model.
d = RMdM (6) In the sharp-corner model constraints can be defined, according to
Eq (6) (but now the superscript “sharp” is to emphasize that the dis-
where RM is a constraint matrix, and M might be, e.g., G, D, L, etc., or placement vectors are interpreted in the sharp-corner model):
any sub-classes of G, D, L, etc. sharp
Constraining of the eigenvalue solution is completed by applying dsharp = RMdM (14)
the constraint matrix for the given M space RM, the columns of which where dMsharp
contains the (modal) displacements of the sharp-corner
can be interpreted as base vectors for the given space. Introducing Eq. model that satisfy the mechanical criteria of mode M. The above
(6) to Eq. (4), we get a constrained eigenvalue problem: equation can be partitioned by distinguishing the “flat” and “corner”
T
RM T
K e RMΦM − ΛMRM K g R MΦ M = 0 → K eMΦM − ΛMK gMΦM nodes:
sharp
=0 (7) ⎡d f ⎤ ⎡ RM, f ⎤ sharp
⎢ sharp ⎥ = ⎢ R ⎥ dM
where KeM and KgM are reduced-size elastic and geometric stiffness d
⎣ c ⎦ ⎣
M, c ⎦
(15)
matrices for the eigenvalue problem constrained to space M. The con-
struction of various constraint matrices are discussed in detail in earlier From which the displacement of the nodes at the flat parts can be
publications, see e.g. Refs. [8,9]. expressed as:

2.2. Finite strip method with elastic corner elements dsharp

f
sharp
= RM, f dM . (16)
By forcing equivalence of the flat nodes of the rounded-corner and
Let us write first the basic (first-order and elastic) equilibrium
sharp-corner models, the whole displacement vector of the rounded-
equation of the member:
corner model can be determined from the modal displacement vector,
Krounddround = f round (8) by substituting Eq (16) into Eq (13), as:
where K is the elastic stiffness matrix, d is the vector of nodal dis- dround = Rcdround
f = Rcdsharp
f
sharp
= RcRM, f dM . (17)
placements, and f is the vector of nodal forces (while the superscript
“round” emphasizes that the all these vectors and matrix are interpreted Thus, when modal constraints are applied in linear buckling ana-
for the rounded-corner model. Let us group the nodes as “flat” and lyses, the elastic and geometric stiffness matrices need to be determined
“corner” nodes, according to the notation of Fig. 7: for the rounded-corner model, then Eq (4) must be solved by sub-
stituting Eq (17), as follows:
round
⎡ K f ,f Kround round
f ,c ⎤ ⎡ d f ⎤ ⎡f f
round
⎤ T cT c T cT c
⎢ round =⎢ . RM , f R K e R RM, f Φ M − ΛM RM, f R K g R RM, f Φ M = 0. (18)
round ⎥ ⎢ round ⎥ round ⎥
K c, f K c, c d f (9)
⎣ ⎦⎣ c ⎦ ⎣ c ⎦
The above equation is a generalized eigenvalue problem, but with
However, our aim is to solve the linear buckling problem, as defined reduced size, and can also be written as:
by Eq (4) in which external loads are not directly involved. Eq (9),
K e, MΦM − ΛMK g, MΦM = 0 (19)
therefore, must take with zero right-hand-side. The second row of Eq
(9) then can be written as: with
K round
c, f dround
f + K round
c, c dround
c =0 (10)
T
K e, M = RM cT c
, f R K e R RM, f and T
K g, M = RM cT c
, f R K g R RM, f . (20)
From which the displacements at the corner nodes can be expressed: It is to underline that in the above equation Ke and Kg stiffness

418
Z. Beregszászi and S. Ádány
Fig. 7. Discretization for sharp-corner and rounded-corner models.
matrices are defined in the rounded-corner model, therefore the effect
of rounded corners is directly included in the above solution.
3. Illustrative examples for the elastic-corner approach
The behaviour of the elastic-corner approach is illustrated and
studied through some numerical examples. The same three examples
are considered that have already been presented in Section 1.2: sig-
nature curves are calculated for simply supported (hinged) lipped
channels in uniform compression. The critical stresses for the three
cases are calculated in various options. As far as modelling of the corner
is concerned, 3 options are considered: sharp-corner, rounded-corner
with and without the newly introduced elastic corner element. From
constraining point of view, 2 options are considered: all-mode solution
(when all the modal basis vectors are used), and pure-mode solution
(when the modal basis vectors from a given space are used only). This
altogether means 6 calculation options.
The material is steel, with Young's modulus of 210 GPa, but with
zero Poisson's ratio. The zero Poisson's ratio is applied in order to avoid
the artificial stiffness increasing in G and D modes in pure-mode cal-
culations, as discussed in Ref. [26]. (It is to note, nevertheless, that
since here the focus is on studying the performance of the elastic-corner
model in comparison with other approaches, the enforcement of zero
Poisson's ratio is not crucially important, and has negligible effect on
the conclusions.)
The applied discretization is as follows: there are 6 intermediate
nodes in the web, 4 intermediate nodes in each flange, while 1 inter-
mediate node in each lip. If the cross-section is modelled with sharp
corners, the above intermediate nodes are supplemented by the 2 nodes
at the lip ends and the 4 corner nodes, and finally there are altogether
22 nodes. If the cross-section is modelled with rounded corners, each
rounded corner is approximated by 4 narrow strips, so the above in-
termediate nodes are supplemented by 3 additional nodes at each
corner plus 1 node at the end of each lip, and finally there are alto-
gether 30 nodes. The discretization is illustrated in Fig. 7, where, due to
symmetry, only half of the cross-section is shown.
As already shown in Section 1.2, when the modal constraints are
applied on models with rounded corners, the calculation can techni-
cally be completed, but the results are not acceptable, therefore, this
419
Thin-Walled Structures 142 (2019) 414–425
kind of calculation is not applied here. Nevertheless, estimation of pure-
mode critical stresses for rounded-corner models are still provided here,
by using the idea that has been introduced in Ref. [15] then applied in
Ref. [20]. The estimation (or: extrapolation) is based on the assumption
that the amount of mode coupling is not significantly affected by the
corner (i.e. whether the rounding is directly considered or not), i.e., it is
assumed that the effect of mode coupling in the sharp-corner and
rounded-corner models are approximately the same. Practically, the
extrapolated pure-mode critical value for rounded-corner cases can be
calculated as follows:
• the effect of mode coupling is calculated as the ratio of the pure-
mode and unconstrained critical value, for any given length from
the sharp-corner model results,
• the pure-mode critical value of the rounded-corner model for the
given length is extrapolated from the unconstrained critical value of
the rounded-corner mode, by multiplying the unconstrained value
of the rounded-corner model by the above ratio.
It is to note that at a given length various pure-mode critical values
are available; the above ratio is calculated by using that pure-mode
value which is the smallest among the pure-mode solutions.
In order to distinguish between the regular constrained calculation
and the above-described extrapolation, the latter case will be marked as
“pure*”.
In Figs. 8–10 the signature curves are plotted in all the 6 options for
the selected 3 cases. In order to make the plots clearer, only the envelop
curves are plotted for the pure-mode calculations (instead of the three
pure-mode curves, while buckled cross-sections shapes are shown in
Fig. 11 for the 120-80-15-6-2.0 member.
The most important observation is that the elastic-corner approach
successfully eliminates the major problems of pure-mode calculation on
rounded-corner models. More specifically, the following conclusions
can be drawn.
By analysing the all-mode solutions, there is difference between the
results from sharp-corner model and the models with rounded corner
(i.e., rounded-corner and elastic-corner), but practically there is no
difference between the results of the rounded-corner option and the
elastic corner option. It is to highlight here that even though the
Z. Beregszászi and S. Ádány
Fig. 8. Signature curves in 6 options, 120-40-15-2-1.0.
rounded corners are directly modelled in both the rounded-corner and
elastic-corner options, the two calculations are still not the same, since
in the case of the rounded-corner option the conventional FSM calcu-
lations are performed by using all the basis vectors of the rounded-
corner model, while in the case of the elastic-corner option the calcu-
lations are performed by using a reduced basis system (i.e. the basis
vectors of the elastic-corner model). In the actual calculations the
rounded corner models have 30 nodes, hence 120 DOF, hence 120 basis
vectors. The models with sharp corners, however, have only 22 nodes,
hence 88 DOF and 88 basis vectors. Since the elastic-corner approach
employs the basis system of the sharp-corner model, the elastic-corner
model has 88 DOF and 88 basis vectors. The all-mode results of the
rounded-corner model, therefore, are calculated by using all the 120
basis vectors of the rounded-corner model, while the all-mode results of
the elastic-corner model are calculated by using the 88 modal basis
vectors of the elastic-corner model. Thus, there might be a difference
between the results of rounded-corner and elastic-corner options, and it
is remarkable that such a difference seems to be negligible.
By looking at the results of the pure-mode options, differences can
be observed even between the (extrapolated) rounded-corner and
elastic-corner results. The results of the sample examples indicate that if
the radius of the corner is small enough, the differences are small, but
as soon as the radius is increased, the differences are larger. Another
observation is that differences might exist at any length, that is in L, D
or G buckling, too, but the largest differences seem to belong to the
distortional buckling. It is also observable that the critical values from
the elastic-corner approach are (practically) always larger than the
corresponding values from the rounded-corner option.
In order to have an even clearer picture on the performance of the
elastic-corner approach, the differences between critical values pre-
dicted by the elastic-corner and rounded-corner models are calculated.
The ‘difference’ is interpreted as: (‘elastic’-‘rounded’)/‘rounded’, ex-
pressed in percentages. Positive difference therefore means that the
critical value from the elastic-corner model is larger than that from the
rounded-corner model. The differences are calculated for both the all-
mode and pure-mode solutions, and presented in Figs. 12–14. To be
able to see the type of buckling at the various lengths, a signature curve
for the given cross-section is also shown in the figures.
Fig. 9. Signature curves in 6 options, 120-60-15-4-1.5.
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Thin-Walled Structures 142 (2019) 414–425
Figs. 12–14 suggest that the differences for all-mode options are
negligibly small for any length and any cross-section shape. However,
non-negligible differences exist between the results of pure-mode op-
tions: the difference is highly influenced by the corner radius and the
length, and can be as large as 30–35% in the considered sample ex-
amples. It is to observe that there might be significant differences be-
tween the critical values to global buckling (up to 15% in the con-
sidered cases), at least when the global buckling is flexural-torsional
buckling.
It is important to keep in mind that no theoretical solution is known
for the exact pure-mode L or D critical load in case of a cross-section
with rounded corners. Thus, if the calculated difference is non-zero, this
is not necessarily due to the error of one or the other calculation.
However, the pure G critical values from a rounded corner model can
be regarded as exact values, therefore, deviation from these values is an
error. Unfortunately, such deviation exists, hence the pure-mode values
from the elastic-corner approach seem to include some errors. The re-
sults suggest that the elastic-corner approach sometimes overestimates
the pure critical values, which means that the rigidity of the elastic-
corner model is somewhat larger than it should be.
Careful inspection of the buckling shapes of the various options
gives explanation for the overestimation of the model rigidity. As an
example, let us analyse the longitudinal displacements (i.e. warping
displacements) of three options when the member is subjected to pure
twisting rotation. Table 2 shows the warping displacement values at the
nodes for the 120-80-15-6-2.0 cross-section, as calculated by FSM.
(Note that the warping values are scaled so that the maximum warping
would be equal to 1.) The node numbering is in accordance with Fig. 7,
and the warping displacement values are given in various options. As
the numerical data of Table 2 prove, the warping distribution of the
elastic-corner and rounded-corner options are not identical. The
warping distribution of the rounded-corner model corresponds to the
analytical solution from Vlasov's thin-walled beam theory (which is
independent of the actual length of the member). The warping dis-
tribution of the elastic-corner model is similar (and at the flat parts even
identical) to the analytical solution of the sharp-corner model, however,
at the corner regions the warping displacements might be different. The
difference is dependent on the member length. Thus, (a) the results
Z. Beregszászi and S. Ádány
Fig. 10. Signature curves in 6 options, 120-80-15-6-2.0.
demonstrate that the warping distribution of the elastic-corner ap-
proach is length-dependent, which is the consequence of Eqs. (11-13) in
which the length-dependent stiffness matrix is involved, and (b) the
warping distribution in the elastic-corner approach might be incorrect.
Since the warping distributions are essential in modal decomposition
(i.e., in calculating pure G, pure D and pure L critical values), it can be
suspected that the error of the elastic-corner approach is due mostly to
the undesired warping distribution in the corner regions, not only in
global modes, but also in D and L modes. A potential solution for this
problem is to apply the in-plane shear (S) modes when calculating the
pure critical values. In-plane shear modes of thin-walled members are
discussed in detail in Ref. [27], and applied in the context of cFSM, too.
The characteristic feature of the so-called warping shear modes is that
they do not involve cross-section distortion, only warping, thus, if these
shear modes are added to the G, D or L modes, they can modify the
warping displacements, but do not practically modify the cross-section
shape. The last column of Table 2 gives the warping values, calculated
by the elastic-corner approach but with allowing in-plane shear de-
formations. Now the warping displacement values are very similar to
that of the solution from Vlasov's thin-walled beam theory (i.e. to that
of rounded-corner model); though small differences exist, but the ten-
dencies are exactly the same. The performance of the elastic-corner
Fig. 11. Sample buckled cross-section shapes, pure buckling mode, elastic-corner approach.
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Thin-Walled Structures 142 (2019) 414–425
approach in calculating the pure buckling modes will be studied next,
with (and without) considering the in-plane shear modes.
4. Illustrative examples with considering IN-Plane shear
The same examples are considered here that are already discussed in
Section 3, but with allowing in-plane shear deformations. Technically
speaking the signature curves are calculated in the same 6 options.
Since all-mode solutions consider all the basis vectors, shear modes are
naturally included, therefore the all-mode solutions are exactly the
same as in Section 3. This means that it is enough here to discuss the
pure-mode options.
Consideration of shear in-plane deformations is possible in any of
the analysed cross-section models, i.e., in sharp-corner, rounded-corner
or elastic-corner models, too. Previous studies showed that the con-
sideration of in-plane shear has very small effect for regular open cross-
section thin-walled members, nevertheless, for the sake of consistency
the sharp-corner and rounded-corner results are also recalculated with
allowing in-plane shear deformations.
In Figs. 15–17 the signature curves are plotted in all the 6 options
for the selected 3 cases. The buckled cross-sections shapes cannot vi-
sually be distinguished from those shown in Fig. 11. The most
Z. Beregszászi and S. Ádány Thin-Walled Structures 142 (2019) 414–425

Fig. 12. Differences between critical load results from

elastic-corner and rounded-corner calculations, 120-40-
15-2-1.0.

Fig. 13. Differences between critical load results from

elastic-corner and rounded-corner calculations, 120-60-
15-4-1.5.

Fig. 14. Differences between critical load results from elastic-corner and rounded-corner calculations, 120-80-15-6-2.0.

Table 2 the pure* critical load of the rounded-corner model.) Due to the con-
Warping displacement values in the various options, 120-80-15-6-2.0 sideration of in-plane shear the critical load values from the rounded-
node node nr sharp (any rounded elastic @ elastic @ corner and the elastic-corner options are mostly identical even for
position length) (any 10 mm 100 mm lengths where L buckling is governing.
length) If in-plane shear modes are added to pure modes, the difference
between pure D results from elastic-corner and rounded-corner options
w displ node nr w displ w displ w displ
is decreasing. Still, the elastic-corner approach predicts somewhat
(mm) (mm) (mm) (mm) larger pure D critical load values. Since no theoretical solution is known
for the exact pure D critical load in case of a cross-section with rounded
lip 1 1.0000 1 1.0000 1.0000 1.0000 corners, it is hard to judge whether one or the other prediction is better
lip 2 0.7563 2 0.7458 0.7467 0.7467
or more exact, but it can be concluded that the elastic-corner approach
corner – 3 0.6751 0.2577 0.6652
corner 3 0.6677 4 0.6029 0.1119 0.5894 predicts an increased mode coupling if rounded corners are directly
corner – 5 0.5398 0.1768 0.5292 modelled.
flange 4 0.5864 6 0.4949 0.4928 0.4928 The differences between critical values predicted by the elastic-
flange 5 0.2340 7 0.1720 0.1717 0.1717
corner and rounded-corner options are also shown in Figs. 18–20. (Note
flange 6 −0.1184 8 −0.1509 −0.1494 −0.1494
flange 7 −0.4708 9 −0.4738 −0.4706 −0.4706
that positive difference means that the critical value from the elastic-
corner – 10 −0.5016 −0.1773 −0.4911 corner model is larger than that from the rounded-corner model.)
corner 8 −0.5522 11 −0.5159 −0.1016 −0.5036
corner – 12 −0.5151 −0.1864 −0.5063
web 9 −0.5246 13 −0.4997 −0.5000 −0.5000 5. Parametric study by using cFSM with elastic corner elements
web 10 −0.3147 14 −0.2998 −0.3000 −0.3000
web 11 −0.1049 15 −0.0999 −0.1000 −0.1000 A parametric study is performed to study the performance of the
elastic-corner approach. Simple lipped channel members are analysed,
but with considering a wide range of cross-section geometries, in-
important observations are as follows. Shear modes have some effect,
cluding some unusual geometries, too. The considered cross-sections
but the effect is non-negligible only if either the length is extremely
are identical to the set of cross-sections applied in the parametric study
short, or the length is selected at the border of the given region (e.g., a
of [20]. Namely: the section depths are: 80, 120, 160 and 200 mm; the
short length is selected in the D region, where – without constraining –
flange widths are: 40, 60 and 80 mm, the lip lengths are: 10, 15 and
there is a strong interaction between L and D modes). However, at the
20 mm, while the corner radii are: 2, 4 and 6 mm. (All these dimensions
practically most interesting lengths (e.g., at L and D minima) the in-
are for the middle-line of the cross-section.) The thicknesses are: 1.0,
plane shear deformations have negligible effect on the critical load
1.5 and 2.0 mm. Therefore the number of considered cross-section
results.
geometries is 324.
Consideration of in-plane shear seems to eliminate the error of the
44 different lengths are considered, covering a very wide length
pure G modes, since the critical load values from the rounded-corner
range, from 1 mm to 50000 mm. In the evaluation of the results only the
and the elastic-corner options are mostly identical. (At some lengths
20–10000 mm range is considered, which is still wider than the lengths
small differences exist, but this is due to the error of the estimation of
of real practical relevance. The same material and same discretization is

422
Z. Beregszászi and S. Ádány Thin-Walled Structures 142 (2019) 414–425

Fig. 15. Signature curves with considering in-plane shear, 120-40-15-2-1.0.

Fig. 16. Signature curves with considering in-plane shear, 120-60-15-4-1.5.

Fig. 17. Signature curves with considering in-plane shear, 120-80-15-6-2.0.

Fig. 18. Differences between critical load results from

elastic-corner and rounded-corner calculations, with
shear deformations, 120-40-15-2-1.0.

Fig. 19. Differences between critical load results from

elastic-corner and rounded-corner calculations, with
shear deformations, 120-60-15-4-1.5.

used, as already described in Section 3.
The CUFSM software is employed for the calculations [6]. The cri-
tical loads are calculated in 5 options: all-mode and pure-mode with
sharp-corner model, all-mode and pure-mode with rigid-corner, and all-
mode with rounded-corner model. Pure-mode solutions for the
rounded-corner model are also determined, not directly by FSM, but by
extrapolation from the all-mode solutions, as discussed previously, in
Section 3. In case of pure modes, the in-plane shear deformations are
allowed.
The performance of the elastic-corner approach is evaluated by

423
Z. Beregszászi and S. Ádány
Fig. 21. Illustration of the differences in the parametric study for L and D buckling.
comparing the results from elastic-corner approach to those from
rounded-corner calculations. Similarly as in Section 3 and 4, the dif-
ference of the critical loads are calculated, where ‘difference’ is inter-
preted as: (‘elastic’-‘rounded’)/‘elastic’. Positive difference therefore
means that the critical value from the elastic-corner model is larger
than that from the rounded-corner model. The difference is calculated
at the practically most important 3 lengths: at L minimum, at D
minimum, and at an intermediate length in the G region. These dif-
ferences are studied, as follows.
In the case of all-mode solutions the deviation of the elastic-corner
model from the rounded-corner FSM solution can be regarded as neg-
ligible, the maximum difference being in the order of magnitude
10−4%.
In the case of pure G the maximal difference is 0.4%, while the
average of the absolute value of the differences (for the given 324 cases)
is 0.05%. So, in predicting the pure G critical load the elastic-corner
approach can be regarded as precise.
In the case of pure L the maximal difference is 4%, but the average
difference (in absolute value) is only 0.4%, hence, in predicting the
pure L critical load the elastic-corner approach can be regarded as
equivalent to the estimation from the rounded-corner model. As Fig. 21
shows, the larger differences occur at larger corner radii. It can be
stated that the results are satisfactory, i.e. they satisfy the engineering
expectations, too.
In the case of pure D the maximal difference is 44%, with an average
difference of 11%. As suggested by Fig. 21, there is some correlation
between the corner radius and the magnitude of the differences, e.g. the
maximum difference being 7%, 23% and 44% for radius values of
2 mm, 4 mm and 6 mm, respectively. Since there is no exact theoretical
solution for the exact pure D critical load in case of a cross-section with
rounded corners, it is hard to judge whether one or the other prediction
is better or more exact. Nevertheless, the results of the elastic-corner
approach (similarly to the results of the rigid-corner approach in Ref.
[20]) suggest that rounded corners trigger more mode coupling. In
other words, though coupling is always present at buckling lengths in
the D region, even in case of sharp-corner models, the elastic-corner
approach indicates the presence of a more pronounced coupling as soon
as the rounded corners are directly modelled. Practically this means
that the difference between the pure-mode D and unconstrained D
critical loads is larger if the rounded corners are directly considered in
the numerical model.
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Thin-Walled Structures 142 (2019) 414–425
Fig. 20. Differences between critical load results from
elastic-corner and rounded-corner calculations, with
shear deformations, 120-80-15-6-2.0.
6. Conclusions
In this paper a technique is proposed and discussed for the modal
decomposition of thin-walled structural members with rounded cor-
ners. The method is based on the introduction of elastic corner ele-
ments, which makes it possible to perform the modal decomposition
identically to how it is originally proposed for members with sharp
corners. The proposed elastic-corner approach essentially eliminates
the major problems caused by the rounded corners in the original
constrained finite strip method. It has also been found, however, that
pure global, distortional and local buckling critical loads are sometimes
predicted with some error, which is caused by the small discrepancy of
the warping displacements in the elastic-corner calculations. It is also
shown that inclusion of in-plane shear deformation modes leads to the
desired warping displacements, while it does not make any change in
the cross-section deformations. A large parametric study has also been
completed in order to study the performance of the elastic-corner ap-
proach in the linear buckling analysis of lipped channel column mem-
bers. The results of the parametric study show that the elastic-corner
approach leads to reasonable pure critical load values if in-plane shear
deformations are allowed. Critical loads for the pure local or pure
global buckling can readily be judged as practically precise, in ac-
cordance with analytical solutions (in the case of global buckling) and
engineering expectations (in the case of local-plate buckling). The
predicted pure distortional critical loads suggest an increased coupling
of modes in members with rounded corners, w.r.t. members with sharp
corners, especially if the corner radius is relatively large.
Acknowledgements
The presented work was conducted with the financial support of the
K119440 project of the Hungarian National Research, Development and
Innovation Office.
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