Path-following analysis of thin-walled structures and comparison with asymptotic post-critical solutions

A path-following non-linear elastic analysis for structures composed of assemblages of at slender elastic panels is presented. The proposed path-following method employs FEM technology and a kinematical model to analyse these structures using a Koiter asymptotic approach. As a result it is possible to verify the accuracy achieved by the asymptotic method. The proposed mixed path-following formulation is both e cient and robust with regards to the locking extrapolation phenomenon that strongly a ects compatible formulations. The use of an HC nite element makes it possible to avoid the problem of the nite rotations in the space, maintaining a high degree of continuity and making the numeric formulation simple and e cient