Abstract:
This thesis presents a method of non-linear buckling load aiialysis of in-plane axial deformable arches. Prebuckling deformation is included in the analysis. Initial configuration of arches centroidal lines can be defined by five types plane curve equations expressed in rectangular coordinate, which are circular, parabola, sine, elliptic and catenary curves. Based on the energy theory, bending and axial strain energy can be expressed by function of normal and tangential displaceinelits. For the numerical analysis non-linear finite element method together with Newton-Raplison iterative procedure are used to solve tlie problem. The displacement components are approximated by cubic polynomial functions in term of arc length. Buckling load can be found by applybig the minimum secondary variation of total potential energy principle. The effects of prebuckling deformation, linear equilibrium analysis and element discretization on buckling load are also investigated. In genaral, it is found that the first two effects are important for arches subjected to a point load but tlie lastest effect is important for arches subjected to uniform rib load.