CUFSM is the Constrained and Unconstrained Finite Strip Method and was originally developed by Ben Schafer in 1997. For an arbitrary thin-walled cross-section CUFSM can efficiently provided all cross-section and member elastic buckling modes and loads for any applied end action (compression, bending, warping, etc.). CUFSM provides both the semi-analytical finite strip method for creation of the cross-section signature curve as well as the generalized finite strip method for other end boundary conditions (e.g. clamped ends).
Uniquely, CUFSM provides a complete implementation of the constrained finite strip method which allows the user to perform quantitative modal decomposition and identification which, e.g., provides a precise means to separate local, distortional, and global buckling modes in thin-walled members. Both kinematic and force-based implementations of the constrained finite strip method exists in the CUFSM code base.
CUFSM includes tools for generalized beam-column loading and analysis. A number of supplementary tools have been added to CUFSM including development of plastic surfaces for cross-sections under arbitrary load, independent global buckling analysis with classical beam formula, and an interface to generate ABAQUS input files with cross-section imperfections based on CUFSM buckling modes.
Vibration analysis via the finite strip method is provided in the code base, but not in the GUI. Users with ideas for improvements are encouraged to contribute to the effort on Github. Special thanks to Sandor Adany, Zhanjie Li, and Sheng Jin – who have all added major contributions to the code base.