Dear All,

I am trying to run a post-buckle analysis using Riks method available in abaqus.

Now I need to add imperfection at the mid height of steel column model. Could
you please let me know how can I define imperfection directly? I read abaqus
manual and found that I need to add following keywords into input file:
*IMPREFECTION, SYSTEM=name, INPUT=input file
My questions are:
1. what does it mean by SYSTEM?
2. how to prepare ainput file?

1.Set SYSTEM=R (default) to specify the imperfection as perturbation

values of Cartesian coordinates. Set SYSTEM=C to specify the imperfection
as perturbation values of cylindrical coordinates. Set SYSTEM=S to specify
the imperfection as perturbation values of spherical coordinates. See Figure
9.3-1 of Abaqus Keywords Reference manual.
2. The input file contains the imperfection data, in general, as the node
number and imperfection values in the global coordinate system. See Input
syntax rules, Section 1.2.1 of the Abaqus Analysis User's Manual, for the
syntax of the file.

11.3.1 Introducing a geometric imperfection into a model

Products: Abaqus/Standard Abaqus/Explicit
References

Unstable collapse and postbuckling analysis, Section 6.2.4

*IMPERFECTION

Overview
A geometric imperfection pattern:

is generally introduced in a model for a postbuckling load-displacement analysis;

can be defined as a linear superposition of buckling eigenmodes obtained from a

previous eigenvalue buckling prediction or eigenfrequency extraction analysis
performed with Abaqus/Standard;

can be based on the solution obtained from a previous static analysis performed
with Abaqus/Standard; or

can be specified directly.

General postbuckling analysis

In Abaqus/Standard the Riks method (Unstable collapse and postbuckling
analysis, Section 6.2.4) can be used to solve postbuckling problems, both with stable and
unstable postbuckling behavior. However, the exact postbuckling problem often cannot be
analyzed directly due to the discontinuous response (bifurcation) at the point of buckling.
To analyze a postbuckling problem, you must turn it into a problem with continuous
response instead of bifurcation, which can be accomplished by introducing a geometric
imperfection pattern in the perfect geometry so that there is some response in the
buckling mode before the critical load is reached.
Introducing geometric imperfections
Imperfections are usually introduced by perturbations in the geometry. Abaqus offers three
ways to define an imperfection: as a linear superposition of buckling eigenmodes, from the
displacements of a static analysis, or by specifying the node number and imperfection
values directly. Only the translational degrees of freedom are modified. Abaqus will then
calculate the normals using the usual algorithm based on the perturbed coordinates.

Unless the precise shape of an imperfection is known, an imperfection consisting of

multiple superimposed buckling modes can be introduced (Eigenvalue buckling
prediction, Section 6.2.3).
The usual approach involves two analysis runs with the same model definition, using
Abaqus/Standard to establish the probable collapse modes and either Abaqus/Standard or
Abaqus/Explicit to perform the postbuckling analysis:
1. In the first analysis run perform an eigenvalue buckling analysis with
Abaqus/Standard on the perfect structure to establish probable collapse modes
and to verify that the mesh discretizes those modes accurately. Write the
eigenmodes in the default global system to the results file as nodal data (Output to
the data and results files, Section 4.1.2).
2. In the second analysis run use Abaqus/Standard or Abaqus/Explicit to introduce an
imperfection in the geometry by adding these buckling modes to the perfect
geometry. The lowest buckling modes are frequently assumed to provide the most
critical imperfections, so usually these are scaled and added to the perfect
geometry to create the perturbed mesh. The imperfection thus has the form

where

is the

mode shape and

is the associated scale factor.

You must choose the scale factors of the various modes; usually (if the structure is
not imperfection sensitive) the lowest buckling mode should have the largest factor.
The magnitudes of the perturbations used are typically a few percent of a relative
structural dimension such as a beam cross-section or shell thickness.
3. Use either Abaqus/Standard or Abaqus/Explicit to perform the postbuckling
analysis.

In Abaqus/Standard perform a geometrically nonlinear load-displacement

analysis of the structure containing the imperfection using the Riks method.
In this way the Riks method can be used to perform postbuckling analyses of
stiff structures that show linear behavior prior to buckling, if perfect. By
performing a load-displacement analysis, other important nonlinear effects,
such as material inelasticity or contact, can be included.

In Abaqus/Explicit perform a postbuckling analysis on the perturbed

structure.

Abaqus imports imperfection data through the user node labels. Abaqus does not check
model compatibility between both analysis runs. Node set definitions in the original model

and the model with the imperfection may be different. Care must be taken for models in
which Abaqus generates additional nodes (for example, the nodes generated for contact
surfaces on 20-node brick elements). In such cases you have to ensure that the models
for both analysis runs are identical and that the nodal information for the generated nodes
is written to the results file.
If the model is defined in terms of an assembly of part instances, the part ( .prt) file from
the original analysis is required to read the eigenmodes from the results file. Both the
original model and the subsequent model must be defined consistently in terms of an
assembly of part instances.
Defining an imperfection based on eigenmode data

To define an imperfection based on the superposition of weighted mode shapes, specify

the results file and step from a previous eigenfrequency extraction or eigenvalue buckling
prediction analysis. Optionally, you can import eigenmode data for a specified node set.
Input File Usage:

*IMPERFECTION, FILE=results_file, STEP=step, NSET=name

Defining an imperfection based on static analysis data

To define an imperfection based on the deformed geometry of a previous static analysis

(Unstable collapse and postbuckling analysis, Section 6.2.4), specify the results file and
step (and, optionally, the increment number) from a previous static analysis. (If the
increment number is not specified, Abaqus will read data from the last increment available
for the specified step in the results file.) Optionally, you can import modal data for a
specified node set.
Input File Usage:

*IMPERFECTION, FILE=results_file, STEP=step, INC=inc,

NSET=name

Defining an imperfection directly

You can specify the imperfection directly as a table of node numbers and coordinate
perturbations in the global coordinate system or, optionally, in a cylindrical or spherical
coordinate system. Alternatively, you can read the imperfection data from a separate input
file.
Input File Usage:

*IMPERFECTION, SYSTEM=name, INPUT=input file

If no input file is specified, Abaqus assumes that the data follow the
option.

Imperfection sensitivity

The response of some structures depends strongly on the imperfections in the original
geometry, particularly if the buckling modes interact after buckling occurs. Hence,
imperfections based on a single buckling mode tend to yield nonconservative results. By
adjusting the magnitude of the scaling factors of the various buckling modes, the
imperfection sensitivity of the structure can be assessed. Normally, a number of analyses
should be conducted to investigate the sensitivity of a structure to imperfections.
Structures with many closely spaced eigenmodes tend to be imperfection sensitive, and
imperfections with shapes corresponding to the eigenmode for the lowest eigenvalue may
not give the worst case.
The imperfect structure will be easier to analyze if the imperfection is large. If the
imperfection is small, the deformation will be quite small (relative to the imperfection)
below the critical load. The response will grow quickly near the critical load, introducing a
rapid change in behavior.
On the other hand, if the imperfection is large, the postbuckling response will grow steadily
before the critical load is reached. In this case the transition into postbuckled behavior will
be smooth and relatively easy to analyze.
Input file template
The following example illustrates a postbuckling analysis of a structure with an
imperfection defined by a linear superposition of the buckling eigenmodes and involves
two analysis runs with the same model definition.
The initial analysis run performs an eigenvalue buckling analysis with Abaqus/Standard to
establish the probable collapse modes and writes them to the results file.
*HEADING
Initial analysis run to write the buckling modes to the results file
*NODE
Data lines to define initial perfect geometry

**
*STEP
*BUCKLE
Data lines to define the number of buckling eigenmodes
*CLOAD and/or *DLOAD and/or *DSLOAD and/or *TEMPERATURE
Data lines to specify the reference load,
*NODE FILE, GLOBAL=YES, LAST MODE=n
U
*END STEP
The second analysis run introduces the imperfection and performs a postbuckling analysis
employing the modified Riks method in Abaqus/Standard.
*HEADING
Second analysis run to define the imperfection and perform the postbuckling analysis

*NODE
Data lines to define initial perfect geometry

*IMPERFECTION, FILE=results_file, STEP=step

Data lines specifying the mode number and its associated scale factor

**
*STEP, NLGEOM
*STATIC, RIKS
Data line to define incrementation and stopping criteria
*CLOAD and/or *DLOAD and/or *DSLOAD and/or *TEMPERATURE
Data lines to specify reference loading,
*END STEP
An alternative second analysis run introduces the imperfection and performs a
postbuckling analysis with Abaqus/Explicit.
*HEADING
Second analysis run to define the imperfection and perform the postbuckling analysis
*NODE
Data lines to define initial perfect geometry

*IMPERFECTION, FILE=results_file, STEP=step

Data lines specifying the mode number and its associated scale factor

**
*STEP
*DYNAMIC, EXPLICIT
Data line to define the time period of the step.
*CLOAD and/or *DLOAD and/or *DSLOAD and/or *TEMPERATURE
*END STEP

*IMPERFECTION
Introduce geometric imperfections for postbuckling analysis.

This option is used to introduce a geometric imperfection into a model for a

postbuckling analysis.
Products: Abaqus/Standard Abaqus/Explicit
Type: Model data
Level: Model
References:

Introducing a geometric imperfection into a model, Section 11.3.1 of the Abaqus

Analysis User's Manual

Unstable collapse and postbuckling analysis, Section 6.2.4 of the Abaqus

Analysis User's Manual

Eigenvalue buckling prediction, Section 6.2.3 of the Abaqus Analysis User's

Manual

Optional parameters (mutually exclusiveif neither parameter is specified, Abaqus

assumes that the imperfection data will be entered directly on the data lines):
FILE
Set this parameter equal to the name of the results file from a previous Abaqus/Standard
analysis containing either the mode shapes from a *BUCKLE or*FREQUENCY analysis or
the nodal displacements from a *STATIC analysis.
INPUT

Set this parameter equal to the name of the alternate input file containing the imperfection
data, in general, as the node number and imperfection values in the global coordinate
system. See Input syntax rules, Section 1.2.1 of the Abaqus Analysis User's Manual, for
the syntax of such file names.
Required parameter if the FILE parameter is used:
STEP
Set this parameter equal to the step number (in the analysis whose results file is being
used as input to this option) from which the modal or displacement data are to be read.
Optional parameters if the FILE parameter is used:
INC
Set this parameter equal to the increment number (in the analysis whose results file is
being used as input to this option) from which the displacement data are to be read. If this
parameter is omitted, Abaqus will read the data from the last increment available for the
specified step on the results file.
NSET
Set this parameter equal to the node set to which the geometric imperfection values are to
be applied. If this parameter is omitted, the imperfection will be applied to all nodes in the
model.
Optional parameter if the FILE parameter is omitted:
SYSTEM
Set SYSTEM=R (default) to specify the imperfection as perturbation values of Cartesian
coordinates. Set SYSTEM=C to specify the imperfection as perturbation values of
cylindrical coordinates. Set SYSTEM=S to specify the imperfection as perturbation values
of spherical coordinates. See Figure 9.31.
The SYSTEM parameter is entirely local to this option and should not be confused with
the *SYSTEM option. As the data lines are read, the imperfection values specified are
transformed to the global rectangular Cartesian coordinate system. This transformation
requires that the object be centered about the origin of the global coordinate system; i.e.,
the *SYSTEM option should be off when specifying imperfections as perturbation values
using either cylindrical or spherical coordinates.
Data lines to define the imperfection as a linear superposition of mode shapes from
the results file:
First line:
1. Mode number.
2. Scaling factor for this mode.

Repeat this data line as often as necessary to define the imperfection as a linear
combination of mode shapes.
Data line to define the imperfection based on the solution of a static analysis from
the results file:
First (and only) line:
1. Set to 1.
2. Scaling factor.
Data lines to define the imperfection if the FILE and INPUT parameters are omitted:
First line:
1. Node number.
2. Component of imperfection in the first coordinate direction.
3. Component of imperfection in the second coordinate direction.
4. Component of imperfection in the third coordinate direction.
Repeat this data line as often as necessary to define the imperfection.
Figure 9.31 Coordinate systems.