Stability of Elastic Structures and Their Loading Devices

Abstract

In the paper is discussed the stability of elastic structures which are liable to become unstable under load. In particular the behaviour of the system, comprising an elastic structure and its loading device is considered, and theorems concerning this behaviour are presented. The theorems allow considerable information to be derived concerning the stability of a structure under «rigid», «semi-rigid» or «dead» loading, from an analysis of the load-deflection characteristics of the structure. In addition the behaviour of a structure under «dead» loading can be predicted from the results of a «rigid» experimental test.