Critical Compression Load of Variable-Arc-Length Beam-Column Structure

Abstract

This paper presents the critical compressive load of the variable-arc-length (VAL) beam-column structure. Variable arc-length (VAL) beam-column is one of the elastica structures where its tip can slip through the support due to loadings, which results in the alteration of the total arc-length. The governing equations of the beam-column structure are derived by considering the differential geometry relations in a plane curve of the beam-column segment and the equilibrium of force and moment. The set of governing equations yields the nonlinear first-order differential equations, which are categorized as two-points boundary value problem. The numerical solution can be solved by using the shooting optimization method. This numerical investigation attempts to study the effect of the lateral load, including the structure weight on the critical compression load for the first four buckling modes and the post-buckling behavior of VAL beam-column structure. The numerical results show that the increase in lateral load reduces the critical compressive load and causes to lose its stability.