A mathematical method for the determination of the critical axial loads of continuous beams with unilateral constraints for various initial geometric imperfections

Abstract

This paper deals with the calculation of the axial critical loads of continuous beams with unilateral constraints. The paper emphasizes in the determination of the instability loads of continuous beams with initial geometric imperfections which are compatible with the unilateral constraints. For this reason a simple mathematical approach based on the fundamental solution of the boundary value problem of the buckling of continuous beams, appropriately modified in order to take into account the function of the unilateral constraints, was used. The implementation of the proposed technique is demonstrated through a characteristic example. © 2013 Springer-Verlag.