8-MW wind turbine tower computational shell buckling benchmark. Part 2: Detailed reference solution

An assessment of the elastic–plastic buckling limit state for multi-strake wind turbine support towers poses a particular challenge modern finite element analyst, who must competently navigate numerous modelling choices related to tug-of-war between meshing and computational cost, use solvers that are robust highly nonlinear behaviour, potential multiple near-simultaneously critical failure locations, complex issue imperfection sensitivity finally interpretation data into safe economic design. This paper presents detailed reference solution analysis standardised benchmark problem an 8-MW tower. Both linear analyses performed, including advanced GMNIA with several different models geometric imperfections. The crucial interpreting amplitude in way is compliant new prEN 1993-1-6 discussed detail. presented herein intended by analysts both industry academia training, verification calibration initiate public repository such solutions metal civil engineering shell structures. second pair. first [37] synthesis 29 submissions international round-robin exercise performed on same problem.