STUDY OF BUCKLE PROPAGATION AND ITS ARREST ON A BEAM ON A NONLINEAR FOUNDATION USING FINITE-ELEMENT METHOD

Abstract

A finite element method is developed for the analysis of buckle propagation along a beam on a nonlinear foundation. Using this method it has been shown that there exists a quasi-static, steady-state buckled mode that propagates along the beam at a load which is substantially below the initial buckling load of the beam. The use of the finite element method also makes it possible to study the arrest of a propagating buckle, as a discontinuous foundation stiffness distribution along the beam can be modeled. The relationships between the various factors that have critical effects on the initiation of buckling, its propagation and arrest are shown.