Non-linear buckling and postbuckling of elastic arches

Abstract

This paper investigates the non-linear in-plane buckling and postbuckling behaviour of elastic arches using a curved finite element model for the non-linear analysis of elastic arches, which includes the effects of prebuckling deformations and second-order terms in the deformed curvatures and bending strains. It is found that the effects of prebuckling deformations on the buckling of shallow arches are significant, that the existence of a linear bifurcation buckling load is not a sufficient condition for linear bifurcation buckling to occur, and that the non-linear buckling loads of shallow arches may be much lower than their linear buckling loads. The effects of the higher-order terms in the deformed curvature on the buckling and postbuckling behaviour of arches are also investigated. It is found that these effects are important, particularly for deep arches.