postbucklingTests
Postbuckling tests are experimental investigations of structural elements after they have buckled under load, with the goal of characterizing postbuckling behavior, residual strength, and energy absorption. They complement traditional buckling tests by exploring how structures carry load beyond the initial critical buckling point.
Common test subjects include slender columns and struts under axial compression, plates and shells under biaxial
Instrumentation typically includes load cells, precise displacement transducers, strain gauges, and sometimes digital image correlation. Data
Analysis combines nonlinear finite element models and stability theory to compare with experimental results. Important considerations
Interpreting postbuckling behavior can be challenging because structures may sustain significant deformations with gradual loss of