Post-buckling behavior of a fixed arch for variable geometry structures

The behavior of a bistable strut for variable geometry structures was investigated in this paper. A fixed shallow arch subjected to a central concentrated load was used to study the equilibrium path of the bistable strut. Based on a nonlinear strain-displacement relationship, the critical loads for both the symmetric snap-through and asymmetric bifurcation buckling modes were obtained. Moreover, the principal of virtual work was also used to establish the post-buckling differential equilibrium equations of the arch in the horizontal and vertical directions. Therefore, the whole mechanical behavior before and after the buckling affixed arches is investigated. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.