Non-linear deformation analysis of aluminum bending members

In order to investigate the nonlinear deformation of aluminum bending members, the influencing factor analysis of load-deflection relationship was presented adopting finite-element analysis (FEA) methods. The load-deflection curves of 126 aluminum bending members were calculated considering structural dimensions, material properties and load distribution. The theoretical formula of load-deflection curves was deduced from the moment-curvature relationship proposed in EC 9, some load-deflection curves were evaluated by numerical integrating. The differences between the results of FEA method and of theoretical method were discussed. The coefficients of the theoretical formula were modified by FEA results using non-linear fitting method. The semi-empirical formula for computing the load-deflection curve of aluminum bending members was then proposed. The result shows that the influence of nonlinear material properties of aluminum alloy should be considered when computing the deformation of aluminum bending members, and the calculating methods of this paper are comparatively accurate.