Technical Papers
Jul 30, 2021

Group-Theoretic Buckling Analysis of Symmetric Plane Frames

Publication: Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 147, Issue 10

Abstract

This paper presents a computationally efficient formulation based on group theory, for the buckling analysis of symmetric plane frames. Numerical examples ranging from simple frames with one vertical plane of symmetry to more complex configurations with multiple symmetry planes are considered. In contrast to conventional procedures for accounting for symmetry, group theory uses the full symmetry of the configuration, resulting in higher reductions of computational effort. Typically, the n-dimensional problem is decomposed into smaller problems that are independent of each other, permitting the buckling loads and mode shapes to be computed through the solution of problems of much smaller dimension. The approach also yields insights on the character of the buckling modes before detailed computations are carried out.

Get full access to this article

View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.

Data Availability Statement

All data, models, and code generated or used during the study appear in the published paper.

References

Bažant, Z. P. 2000. “Structural stability.” Int. J. Solids Struct. 37 (1): 55–67. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0020-7683(99)00078-5.
Berry, A. 1919. “Calculation of stresses in aeroplane wing spars.” Trans. R. Aeronautical Soc. 1 (23): 3–33. https://doi.org/10.1017/S2398188100000079.
Chen, Y., and J. Feng. 2015. “Mobility of symmetric deployable structures subjected to external loads.” Mech. Mach. Theory 93 (Feb): 98–111. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mechmachtheory.2015.07.007.
Chen, Y., P. Sareh, and J. Feng. 2015. “Effective insights into the geometric stability of symmetric skeletal structures under symmetric variations.” Int. J. Solids Struct. 69 (70): 277–290. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsolstr.2015.05.023.
Chen, Y., J. Yan, P. Sareh, and J. Feng. 2019. “Nodal flexibility and kinematic indeterminacy analyses of symmetric tensegrity structures using orbits of nodes.” Int. J. Mech. Sci. 155 (5): 41–49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmecsci.2019.02.021.
Glockner, P. G. 1973. “Symmetry in structural mechanics.” ASCE J. Struct. Div. 99 (1): 71–89. https://doi.org/10.1061/JSDEAG.0003438.
Hamermesh, M. 1962. Group theory and its application to physical problems. Oxford, UK: Pergamon.
Healey, T. J. 1985. “Symmetry, bifurcation, and computational methods in nonlinear structural mechanics.” Doctoral dissertation, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, Univ. of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign.
Healey, T. J. 1988. “A group-theoretic approach to computational bifurcation problems with symmetry.” Comput. Methods Appl. Mech. Eng. 67 (3): 257–295. https://doi.org/10.1016/0045-7825(88)90049-7.
Ikeda, K., S. Matsushita, and K. Torri. 1986. “Symmetry breaking bifurcation behavior of dome structures and group theory.” Jpn. Soc. Civ. Eng. 3 (368): 125–134. https://doi.org/10.2208/jscej.1986.368_125.
Ikeda, K., and K. Murota. 1991. “Bifurcation analysis of symmetric structures using block-diagonalization.” Comput. Methods Appl. Mech. Eng. 86 (2): 215–243. https://doi.org/10.1016/0045-7825(91)90128-S.
Ikeda, K., K. Murota, and H. Fujii. 1991. “Bifurcation hierarchy of symmetric structures.” Int. J. Solids Struct. 27 (12): 1551–1573. https://doi.org/10.1016/0020-7683(91)90077-S.
Kangwai, R. D., and S. D. Guest. 1999. “Detection of finite mechanisms in symmetric structures.” Int. J. Solids Struct. 36 (36): 5507–5527. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0020-7683(98)00234-0.
Kangwai, R. D., and S. D. Guest. 2000. “Symmetry-adapted equilibrium matrices.” Int. J. Solids Struct. 37 (11): 1525–1548. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0020-7683(98)00318-7.
Kangwai, R. D., S. D. Guest, and S. Pellegrino. 1999. “An introduction to the analysis of symmetric structures.” Comput. Struct. 71 (6): 671–688. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0045-7949(98)00234-X.
Kaveh, A., and F. Nemati. 2010. “Eigensolution of rotationally repetitive space structures using a canonical form.” Int. J. Numer. Methods Biomed. Eng. 26 (12): 1781–1796. https://doi.org/10.1002/cnm.1265.
Kaveh, A., and M. Nikbakht. 2006. “Buckling load of symmetric plane frames using canonical forms and group theory.” Acta Mech. 185 (1–2): 89–128. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00707-006-0339-2.
Kaveh, A., and M. Nikbakht. 2008. “Stability analysis of hyper symmetric skeletal structures using group theory.” Acta Mech. 200 (3–4): 177–197. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00707-008-0022-x.
Kaveh, A., and M. Nikbakht. 2010. “Improved group-theoretical method for eigenvalue problems of special symmetric structures, using graph theory.” Adv. Eng. Softw. 41 (1): 22–31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.advengsoft.2008.12.003.
Kaveh, A., H. A. Rahimi Bondarabady, and L. Shahryari. 2006. “Buckling load of symmetric planar frames with semi-rigid joints using graph theory.” Int. J. Civ. Eng. 4 (3): 157–175.
Kaveh, A., and B. Salimbahrami. 2007. “Buckling load of symmetric plane frames using canonical forms.” Comput. Struct. 85 (17–18): 1420–1430. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruc.2006.08.082.
Kaveh, A., and L. Shahryari. 2007. “Buckling load of planar frames with semi-rigid joints using weighted symmetric graphs.” Comput. Struct. 85 (5): 1704–1728. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruc.2007.02.011.
Livesley, R. K., and D. B. Chandler. 1968. Stability functions for structural frameworks. Manchester, UK: Manchester University Press.
Masur, E. F. 1955. “On the lateral stability of multi-story bents.” Proc. Am. Soc. Civ. Eng. 81 (4): 1–13.
Renton, J. D. 1964. “On the stability analysis of symmetrical frameworks.” Q. J. Mech. Appl. Math. 17 (2): 175–195. https://doi.org/10.1093/qjmam/17.2.175.
Wohlever, J. C., and T. J. Healey. 1995. “A group theoretic approach to the global bifurcation analysis of an axially compressed cylindrical shell.” Comput. Methods Appl. Mech. Eng. 122 (3): 315–349. https://doi.org/10.1016/0045-7825(94)00734-5.
Yang, T. Y. 1986. Finite element structural analysis. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Zingoni, A. 1996a. “An efficient computational scheme for the vibration analysis of high tension cable nets.” J. Sound Vib. 189 (1): 55–79. https://doi.org/10.1006/jsvi.1996.0005.
Zingoni, A. 1996b. “Truss and beam finite elements revisited: A derivation based on displacement-field decomposition.” Int. J. Space Struct. 11 (4): 371–380. https://doi.org/10.1177/026635119601100404.
Zingoni, A. 2005a. “A group-theoretic formulation for symmetric finite elements.” Finite Elem. Anal. Des. 41 (6): 615–635. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.finel.2004.10.004.
Zingoni, A. 2005b. “On the symmetries and vibration modes of layered space grids.” Eng. Struct. 27 (4): 629–638. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2004.12.004.
Zingoni, A. 2008. “On group-theoretic computation of natural frequencies for spring–mass dynamic systems with rectilinear motion.” Commun. Num. Meth. Eng. 24 (11): 973–987. https://doi.org/10.1002/cnm.1003.
Zingoni, A. 2009. “Group-theoretic exploitations of symmetry in computational solid and structural mechanics.” Int. J. Numer. Methods Eng. 79 (3): 253–289.
Zingoni, A. 2012a. “A group-theoretic finite-difference formulation for plate eigenvalue problems.” Comput. Struct. 112–113 (Feb): 266–282. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruc.2012.08.009.
Zingoni, A. 2012b. “Symmetry recognition in group-theoretic computational schemes for complex structural systems.” Comput. Struct. 94–95 (Apr): 34–44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruc.2011.12.004.
Zingoni, A. 2014. “Group-theoretic insights on the vibration of symmetric structures in engineering.” Philos. Trans. R. Soc. A: Math. Phys. Eng. Sci. 372 (2008): 20120037. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsta.2012.0037.
Zingoni, A. 2015. Vibration analysis and structural dynamics for civil engineers: Essentials and group-theoretic formulations. London: Taylor & Francis.
Zingoni, A. 2018. “Insights on the vibration characteristics of double-layer cable nets of D4h symmetry.” Int. J. Solids Struct. 135 (Nov): 261–273. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsolstr.2017.11.025.
Zingoni, A. 2019a. “Group-theoretic vibration analysis of double-layer cable nets of D4h symmetry.” Int. J. Solids Struct. 176 (Nov): 68–85. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsolstr.2019.05.020.
Zingoni, A. 2019b. “On the best choice of symmetry group for group-theoretic computational schemes in solid and structural mechanics.” Comput. Struct. 223 (Apr): 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruc.2019.106101.
Zingoni, A. 2020. “Use of symmetry groups for generation of complex space grids and group-theoretic vibration analysis of triple-layer grids.” Eng. Struct. 223 (22): 111177. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2020.111177.
Zingoni, A., and M. N. Pavlovic. 1994. “On natural-frequency determination of symmetric grid-mass systems.” In Structural dynamics: Recent advances, 151–163. Southampton, UK: Institute of Sound and Vibration Research.
Zingoni, A., M. N. Pavlovic, D. Lloyd-Smith, and G. M. Zlokovic. 1993. “Application of group theory to the analysis of space frames.” In Space structures, 1334–1347. London: Thomas Telford.
Zingoni, A., M. N. Pavlovic, and G. M. Zlokovic. 1994. “Symmetry and the direct stiffness method in structural analysis: A formulation based on group theory.” In Advances in computational mechanics, edited by M. Papadrakakis and B. H. V. Topping, 107–115. Edinburgh, Scotland: Civil-Comp Press.
Zingoni, A., M. N. Pavlovic, and G. M. Zlokovic. 1995a. “A symmetry-adapted flexibility approach for multi-storey space frames: General outline and symmetry-adapted redundants.” Struct. Eng. Rev. 7 (2): 107–119. https://doi.org/10.1016/0952-5807(95)00005-Y.
Zingoni, A., M. N. Pavlovic, and G. M. Zlokovic. 1995b. “A symmetry-adapted flexibility approach for multi-storey space frames: Symmetry-adapted loads.” Struct. Eng. Rev. 7 (2): 121–130. https://doi.org/10.1016/0952-5807(95)00005-Y.
Zlokovic, G. M. 1989. Group theory and G-vector spaces in structural analysis. Chichester, UK: Ellis Horwood.
Zlokovic, G. M. 1992. Group supermatrices in finite element analysis. Chichester, UK: Ellis Horwood.
Zweig, A. 1984. “Force method for frame buckling analysis.” J. Struct. Eng. 110 (8): 1893–1912. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9445(1984)110:8(1893).

Information & Authors

Information

Published In

Go to Journal of Structural Engineering
Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 147Issue 10October 2021

History

Received: Dec 21, 2020
Accepted: May 17, 2021
Published online: Jul 30, 2021
Published in print: Oct 1, 2021
Discussion open until: Dec 30, 2021

Permissions

Request permissions for this article.

Authors

Affiliations

Doctoral Candidate, Structural Engineering and Mechanics Group, Dept. of Civil Engineering, Univ. of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, Cape Town, South Africa. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0789-6722. Email: [email protected]
Alphose Zingoni, Ph.D. [email protected]
C.Eng.
Professor and Head, Structural Engineering and Mechanics Group, Dept. of Civil Engineering, Univ. of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, Cape Town, South Africa (corresponding author). Email: [email protected]

Metrics & Citations

Metrics

Citations

Download citation

If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.

Cited by

  • Data-driven design and morphological analysis of conical six-fold origami structures, Thin-Walled Structures, 10.1016/j.tws.2023.110626, 185, (110626), (2023).

View Options

Get Access

Access content

Please select your options to get access

Log in/Register Log in via your institution (Shibboleth)
ASCE Members: Please log in to see member pricing

Purchase

Save for later Information on ASCE Library Cards
ASCE Library Cards let you download journal articles, proceedings papers, and available book chapters across the entire ASCE Library platform. ASCE Library Cards remain active for 24 months or until all downloads are used. Note: This content will be debited as one download at time of checkout.

Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.
ASCE Library Card (5 downloads)
$105.00
Add to cart
ASCE Library Card (20 downloads)
$280.00
Add to cart
Buy Single Article
$35.00
Add to cart

Get Access

Access content

Please select your options to get access

Log in/Register Log in via your institution (Shibboleth)
ASCE Members: Please log in to see member pricing

Purchase

Save for later Information on ASCE Library Cards
ASCE Library Cards let you download journal articles, proceedings papers, and available book chapters across the entire ASCE Library platform. ASCE Library Cards remain active for 24 months or until all downloads are used. Note: This content will be debited as one download at time of checkout.

Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.
ASCE Library Card (5 downloads)
$105.00
Add to cart
ASCE Library Card (20 downloads)
$280.00
Add to cart
Buy Single Article
$35.00
Add to cart

Media

Figures

Other

Tables

Share

Share

Copy the content Link

Share with email

Email a colleague

Share