Suddenly‐Loaded Structural Configurations

Abstract

The concept of dynamic stability for suddenly‐loaded elastic structural configurations is presented. Moreover, the related criteria and estimates of critical conditions are analyzed. It is shown that dynamic instability of the escaping motion type (unbounded or large amplitude motion) is only possible for those configurations which, under static loading, exhibit limit point instability. On the other hand, this type of dynamic instability is not possible for systems, which under static loading exhibit bifurcational instability with stable postbuckling branch (smooth buckling) and for systems that only exhibit stable equilibrium response (not subject to buckling). Moreover, parametric resonance and its possible occurence under sudden loads is also covered. Finally, some conclusions are presented that address the expected response of real world situations, as opposed to responses predicted by mathematical modeling.