A high order finite strip transfer matrix method for buckling analysis of single-branched cross-section thin-walled members

Thin-walled members have been used in many modem engineering structures, and their buckling analysis has attracted many attentions. A new efficient method named as High Order Finite Strip Transfer Matrix Method (HFSTMM) is proposed to determine the buckling factor and buckling model of the thin-walled member with single-branched cross-section. For the first time, thin-walled members with loaded edges simply supported can be discretized in the cross-section by high order semi-analytical finite strip method. Then the control equations of the strip elements will be innovatively rewritten as the transfer equations, which include the effect of the middle nodal lines of high order finite strip and do not increase the matrix dimension. Four thin-walled members with different cross-section can be taken as examples to verify HFSTMM and buckling loads by FEM and HFSTMM are agreeable very well. The computational consumption of FEM, Finite Strip Transfer Matrix Method (FSTMM) and HFSTMM of one example shows the high efficiency of HFSTMM. All results confirm that HFSTMM is an efficient method for the buckling analysis of thin-walled members with single-branched cross-section.