Application of discretization error estimators in stepped column buckling problems

In order to reduce the discretization error, in this paper, Richardson's Extrapolation and Convergence Error Estimator were used to investigating the buckling problem convergence. The main objective was to verify the convergence order of the stepped column problem and to define a consistent moment of inertia at the point of variation of the cross-section. The variable of interest was the critical buckling load obtained by the Finite Difference Method. The convergent solution obtained errors less than 10 boolean AND(-8), and this work showed that the best solution is not defined by excessive mesh refinement, but by the solution convergence analysis.