Abstract
Post-buckling behavior is one of the most interesting topics of structural mechanics. In our previous paper30), load-deformation relationship of an elastic bar buckling between two rigid plates (Fig. 1) had been shown by using linear beam theory. In this paper, inspective experiment had been held to confirm our theory. The result of the experiment suggests that our theory is able to explain the phenomenon in loading phase. However, as for unloading phase, more research has to be done on this topic.
Chapter 1 is the introduction to review the background of our research. As for architecture and civil engineering, buckling-restrained brace (BRB) is one of the examples to apply the evidence of this paper.
Chapter 2 shows our previous theory30). Using this theory, we can calculate the load-deformation relationship of the bar restrained by two rigid plates (Fig. 2).
Chapter 3 is the explanation of the test equipment prepared for our research (Fig. 3). This instrument compress the aluminum flat bar by displacement controlled loading. The binary condition of the bar is pinned and the bar is restrained by two rigid plates made of steel which are fixed at both side of it.
Chapter 4 is the tensile test on aluminum to identify Young's modulus (index E).
Chapter 5 shows the result of the experiment. The parameters of test pieces are shown by Table 2 and Fig. 5 is the load-deformation diagram. Fig. 6 shows the mode of buckling observed in this experiment.
Chapter 6 is about the proof of material elasticity, the effect of imperfection and the reproducibility of this experiment.
Chapter 7 is the conclusion. The important points are following.
· The load-deformation relationship shown in our previous theory agrees very well with the experiment on loading phase.
· The reason why our theory do not match the experiment on unloading phase is that the modes of buckling which have been assumed in our theory are different from the actual activity.
· The load-deformation diagram comes up from this experiment may be affected by the imperfection of the aluminum bar. However, in terms of the transition of buckling mode, this experiment has surely reproducibility.
