The effect of finite deformations in the elastic stability of plane frames

Abstract

The circumstances are discussed under which orthogonal relations exist between the elastic critical modes of plane frames subjected to proportional loading. Orthogonal relations may be obtained provided the loading does not produce any components of deformation associated with any of the critical modes at arbitrary levels of the load factor, and provided no part of the structure remains statically indeterminate due to bar forces when all rigid joints are replaced by pin joints. When at arbitrary load factors, the structure deforms with components associated with any of the buckling modes, the elastic failure load is not identical with the lowest elastic critical load, although for many frames the two loads may be very close. A general expression is obtained which reveals the relation between the deformations at an arbitrary load level and the deflexions given by linear analysis. The difference between the elastic failure load and the elastic critical load is discussed, and an approximate treatment applicable to certain types of frame and associated loading is developed.