Nonlinear Thermal Buckling Analysis of Thin‐walled Structures: Solid‐shell Discretization, Continuation Method and Reduction Technique

Abstract This work presents an accurate and efficient numerical tool for geometrically nonlinear thermoelastic analyses of thin‐walled structures. The structure is discretized by isogeometric solid‐shell model with approximation geometry kinematics avoiding the parameterization finite rotations. An modeling thermal strains, temperature‐dependent materials general temperature profiles based on a pre‐integration through shell thickness proposed. Then, generalized path‐following method developed solving discrete equations amplifier as additional unknown, in order to trace temperature‐displacement curve also case limit points unstable paths. A consistent definition tangent operators mixed integration point strategy give robust analysis. Finally, reduction technique derived quick estimate buckling point. reduced consists initial path tangent, first linearized modes their second corrections. Numerical applications are given.