On dynamic buckling of elastic-plastic beams

A theoretical study of dynamic buckling of elastic-plastic beams under compressive axial forces is presented. It is assumed that the loading process is so slow that axial inertia effects may be neglected. Four types of axial loading are considered. It is supposed that the beam's material has linear strain hardening. Equations of motion are derived from Hamilton's principle. A numerical method of integrating these equations is presented. The main aim of the paper is to shed light on the problem how the deflection shapes develop in the post-critical stage. For this purpose six examples are presented. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.