THERMAL POST-BUCKLING OF SLENDER ELASTIC RODS WITH DIFFERENT BOUNDARY CONDITIONS

Abstract

This paper presents mathematical formulation, critical buckling temperature and analytical and numerical solutions for the thermal post-buckling behavior of slender rods subjected to uniform thermal load. The material is assumed to be linear elastic, homogeneous and isotropic. Furthermore, large displacements are considered hence the formulation is geometrically non-linear. Three different boundary conditions are assumed: (i) double-hinged non-movable, (ii) hinged non-movable at one end, whereas at the other end longitudinal displacement is constrained by a linear spring, and (iii) double-fixed non-movable. The governing equations are derived from geometrical compatibility, equilibrium of forces and moments, constitutive equations and strain-displacement relation, yielding a set of six first-order non-linear ordinary differential equations with boundary conditions specified at both ends, which constitutes a complex boundary value problem. The buckling and post-buckling solutions are respectively accomplished assuming infinitesimal and finite rotations. The results are presented in non-dimensional graphs for a range of temperature gradients and different values of slenderness ratios, and it is shown that this parameter governs the rod post-buckling response. The influence of the boundary conditions is evaluated through graphic results for deformed configuration, maximum deflection, maximum inclination angle and maximum curvature in the rod.