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On the general theory of the stability of equilibrium of discrete conservative systems

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 July 2016

D. J. Allman*
Affiliation:
Royal Aerospace Establishment, Farnborough

Summary

The general theory of the stability of equilibrium of discrete conservative systems is reviewed with an eye to implementation in finite element structural analysis. The approach features a natural parameter, such as the applied loading of a system, as the independent variable; all results are thus conveniently established without recourse to any of the artificial parameters advocated by some earlier authors. The criteria for identifying singular (critical) points, which include bifurcation points and limit points, and determining their stability are obtained in simple forms suitable for computation. Numerical results are given for an example problem characteristic of a loaded plate with multiple, stable and unstable, bifurcation points to demonstrate an application of the theory.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Aeronautical Society 1989 

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