Study of an inclined, segmented cantilever with tip load

Abstract

The problem of a tip-loaded N N -segment cantilever with torsion springs at the joints is formulated through nonlinear difference equations. The solutions are obtained by both numerical and perturbation methods. As the base is rotated the cantilever shows nonlinear behavior such as nonuniqueness, hysteresis, and catastrophic changes. A stability criterion is proposed.