Imperfection-Sensitivity of Classical Bifurcation Models Loaded by Configuration-Dependent Devices1*

Abstract

An overall global imperfection-sensitivity analysis of classical bifurcation models is presented. A modification of the classical imperfection-sensitivity functions of the stable-symmetric, unstable-symmetric, and asymmetric bifurcation problems under the effect of configuration-dependent conservative loading device is analyzed. The deformation-sensitive characteristics of loading are considered an imperfection of the dead loading device. By considering the interaction of several types of imperfection, imperfection-sensitivity surfaces are obtained. Geometric, material, and loading imperfections are considered here and applied to classical bifurcation models. To obtain the imperfection-sensitivity surfaces of each model, exact global graphical solutions and approximate local analytical solutions are presented.