Load Case Selection for Buckling Analysis

[kamton]

Hello everybody.
I was curious about the load cases selection for a linear buckling analysis (e.g. performing NASTRAN SOL105).
Normally I would prefer to have one criteria for selection of the 10 most critical load cases.
Is the Minimum Principal Stress in a FE-model a good indicator?
In the past a selection using the maximum compression in x- and y-direction (for a shell-element) and maximum shear doesn´t show all critical load cases (most critical load case was in the selected, but not the third critical).
In general I use structure with 2D-Elements and a mix of metallic and composite components.
Thanks for giving a good hint or tip.

 

[SWComposites]

Well, what are you going to do when there may be more than 10 critical cases? Arbitrary culling of load cases is dangerous. You first need to fully understand the loading generated by all cases, then understand what aresa on the structure may be buckling critical. Only then can you attempt to select load cases for analysis.