An Airy Integral Analysis of Beam Columns With Distributed Axial Loading Having a Fixed Line of Action

Abstract

An analytic method of solution of beam columns with partial uniformly distributed axial loading whose line of action does not change as the column deflects is developed in terms of Airy integral functions. This method is valid when the beam bending moment can be expressed or approximated piecewise as a polynomial. A numerical example is included and also tables of the necessary Airy integral functions and their first derivatives.