Hello,

My name is Peter and I am working on a project to model snap-through buckling behaviour in an arch.

I am wondering how I might be able to model a simple beam spring under a normal load as it is deflected and eventually buckles and undergoes snap-through buckling. I would like to have the spring (arch) fixtured on its outside edges so that there is no translation in the x, y or z directions, and the only motion allowed on the outside edges is rotation to allow the outer edges of the spring to rotate with the load. I would like to use a prescribed displacement on the uppermost part of the arch (-9mm) to cause the arch to buckle. This downward displacement should cause the spring to deflect and buckle, and eventually undergo snap-through behaviour as more load is applied. Since I have a fixture in the study which gives the prescribed displacement of the arch, I am using the force-length control method for solving the simulation. I tried using the arc-length control method to solve the simulation, but it ended in an error because it stated that solving for the prescribed displacement required that I use the force control method. I am wondering if this method is not the correct method to use since it cannot solve past the buckling point in the arch when the tangent to the force-displacement (equilibrium) curve is horizontal.

Force

Displacement

I have completed the Solidworks tutorial problem on snap-through analysis, 'Snap-Through/Snap-back of a Cylindrical Sheet', and I am still in need of assistance. I have a result from the simulation as I currently have it set up, and I'm wondering if it's correct. I would also like to validate the snap-through behaviour of the arch using an equilibrium plot but I am unsure how to define the equilibrium plot after I have the results. I have included the model and results files of the example part which I would like to model.

Any help on these problems would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Peter