Snap‐Through of a Clamped‐Free Beam Column

Abstract

Conditions for snap-through (limit-point instability) of a clamped-free beam column from a buckled configuration to a second stable equilibrium state are examined. In particular, the relationships between a compressive load and the magnitude and location of a transverse force that produce a reversal in curvature are investigated. Approximate analytical solutions for stable equilibria are found by minimizing the structure's total potential energy. An incremental load approach is employed for the prediction of snap-through. For verification of the approximate solutions obtained using the energy method, predicted equilibrium configurations are compared with results calculated by numerical integration.