Abstract
A new algorithm for branch-switching at bifurcation points in the nonlinear finite element method is developed. The procedure is simple and neither eigenvalue analysis nor an alternative cpu-extensive task is necessary for the calculation of buckling modes at bifurcation points. The basic concept is that a displacement corrector vector in the Newton-Raphson iteration can be used in place of an eigenvalue mode which is usually used for branch-switching, due to the high similarity of the governing equations at bifurcation points. Two numerical examples, buckling of a square plate under compressive loading and 'diamond buckling' of a cylinder, are conducted to demonstrate the validity of the algorithm.
