Characteristic-value analysis for plastic dynamic buckling of columns under elastoplastic compression waves

The characteristic-value analysis of plastic dynamic buckling is presented for columns under the action of elastoplastic compression wave caused by an axial-step load. Two critical conditions constituting a dynamic instability criterion are derived on the basis of transformation and conservation of energy. The governing equations, the boundary conditions and the continuity conditions derived by the use of the first critical condition are the same as those given by the adjacent-equilibrium criterion and are insufficient for determining two characteristic parameters involved in the governing equations. A supplementary restraint equation for buckling deformations at the plastic-wave front and the elastic-wave front is derived by the use of the second critical condition. Then, a couple of characteristic equations for two characteristic parameters are derived on the condition that the governing equations have non-trivial solutions satisfying the boundary conditions, the continuity conditions and the supplementary restraint equation. The critical-load parameters, dynamic characteristic parameter (exponent parameter of inertia term) and dynamic buckling modes are calculated from the solutions of the characteristic equations. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.