The estimation of the critical load of a braced framework

Abstract

With present methods of estimating the critical loads of triangulated frameworks by relaxation methods it is difficult to decide near the critical load whether the process is converging and the structure is stable, or whether the process is diverging and the structure unstable. This difficulty does not arise in the method presented here. Each triangle of the framework in turn is replaced by a hypothetical member until finally only one member of the truss remains, and this member has been modified in such a way as to take into account the stiffnesses of all the other members of the truss. A simple criterion for the stability of this final equivalent member is established and an example of the application of the method given.