Influence of joint flexibility on buckling analysis of free–free beams

Abstract

Abstract In this work, an application of two noded beam finite element methodology, which is demonstrated in the previous research work for vibration analysis of beam with a flexible joint problem, has been further extended here to investigate the buckling behaviour of free–free beam subjected to an in-plane compressive load. Joint is modelled as rotational spring, where the rotational spring stiffness governs the behaviour of the flexible joint. Variation of first five non-dimensional buckling loads of free–free beam with reference to the joint location as well as joint stiffness parameters are briefly presented. It is understood that looseness of the joint can significantly influence the buckling behaviour of free–free beam and plays an important role in accurately determining the buckling behaviour of jointed beams subjected to an in-plane compressive loads.