Buckling Mode Interaction in Pultruded Composite Columns

Explains the buckling of composite columns using experimental data, simulation data, pictures, and video of experiments and finite element simulations. Gives insight for the design of structures, explaining why the designer chooses the critical column length for an economical design. Explains the design equation, the calculation of universal slenderness, and the interacting coefficient. Also explains the impact of product quality on imperfection, which then impacts the load capacity of the column. Provides tips for effective setup of an FEA simulation and provides references for further study. The videos, pictures, and graphs clearly and easily take you on a journey to a clear understanding of mode interaction, its deleterious effects on load capacity and how it affects column design.

[EverBarbero]

The experimental setup, as well as experimental procedures and results, are described in: E. J. Barbero and M. Turk, "Experimental investigation of beam-column behavior of pultruded structural shapes, " Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites, 19(3):249–265, 2000.