Mexican Media Brands
Plate Buckling Analysis Made Simple
Designing thin-walled steel structures? Then GAS2.0 is for you
.jpg;width=70;height=70;mode=crop)
Share
Speaking of creating components for automotive structures, Dr. Donald E. Malen, lecturer, Integrative Systems and Design, University of Michigan—who had spent 35 years at General Motors in automotive body structure design and analysis, and systems engineering, so he knows more than a little something about the topic—said, “Tall, thin wall sections can be very mass efficient. However, an additional failure mode that’s beyond yield is plate buckling. Classical section analysis doesn’t take that into account.”
So the American Iron and Steel Institute has developed a Windows-based system, GAS2.0, that can be readily used by design engineers, CAD operators and analysts, to determine plate buckling under load. And this is a light-weight system that can even be run on tablets.
The analysis process. (Image: AISI)
Malen noted that as buckling strength is based on material thickness and width, a simple answer to addressing plate buckling would be to increase thickness—but that would have a negative consequence on mass efficiency.
What It Does
The tool allows the analysis of steel structures—IGES and STEP CAD files can be readily entered into GAS2.0 or even simple sketches can be loaded—so that it can be readily seen where the design is not taking full advantage of the material. (This is looking at the yield of the effective section.)
The software includes 63 steel grades and additional steels can be loaded. Two types of analysis can be performed: nominal (classic area properties) and effective (axial or moment loading). Results can be shown graphically or in a tabular manner.
“Yield of effective section depends on section geometry, material yield and loading,” Malen said.
GAS2.0 allows this to be done either early in the design stage (thereby allowing the identification and mitigation of problems) or even later in the design process, before more detailed analyses (e.g., FEA) are performed.
Notably, GAS2.0 is available from the AISI Automotive Program without license fees.
RELATED CONTENT
-
When Automated Production Turning is the Low-Cost Option
For the right parts, or families of parts, an automated CNC turning cell is simply the least expensive way to produce high-quality parts. Here’s why.
-
Mustang Changes for 2018
On Tuesday Ford unveiled—using the social media channels of actor Dwayne Johnson (this has got to unnerve some of the auto buff book editors)—the 2018 Mustang, which has undergone some modifications: under the hood (the 3.7-liter V6 is giving way to a 2.3-liter EcoBoost four, and a 10-speed automatic is available), on the dash (a 12-inch, all-digital LCD screen is available for the dashboard), at the tires (12 wheel choices), on the chassis (MagneRide damper technology is being offered with the Mustang Performance Package), and on the exterior (three new paint colors). And while on the subject of the exterior, there are some notable changes—a lower, remodeled hood, repositioned hood vents, new upper and lower front grilles, LED front lights, revised LED taillamps, new rear bumper and fascia.
-
We Can’t Unwatch this McLaren
While we generally can’t say enough (which brings us close to saying much, much too much) about McLaren Automotive design and its exquisite use of materials, this week the company launched a product that is something we wish we didn’t see: That’s the RM 11-03 McLaren Automatic Flyback Chronograph, which the company debuted at the 88th Geneva International Motor Show.
