This study analyzes buckling in the lower segment of a tubular steel shell that exhibits the characteristics of a 3MW wind tower with opening and reinforcement. Analytical method using parametric equations based on Eurocode 3 - Design of Steel Structures and numerical method of finite element are used to analyze the critical meridional buckling stress. ABAQUS, a finite element program, is used for the numerical method analysis. Four different cases of tubular steel tower is modeled: without door opening and without reinforcement; with door opening and without reinforcement; without door opening and with reinforcement; and with door opening and with reinforcement. Using the ABAQUS, a linear buckling analysis is done for all cases to recognize five of its buckling mode shapes and its corresponding eigenvalues. Mode shapes from the previous analysis are considered in performing the non-linear analysis using Static Riks. Buckling capacity and its trends in the localized area near the opening is investigated, tabulated and shown in illustrative charts. Moreover, comparison is made between the parametric and finite element analyses.

In this study, a powerful new approach to vehicle-bridge interaction observation in operational bridge structures is proposed using University of Michigan’s Narada wireless sensors. Based on the novel data acquisition, dynamic behavior of a bridge under a moving vehicle is experimentally analyzed.