NONCONSERVATIVE INSTABILITY OF A TIMOSHENKO BEAM SUBJECTED TO A PARTIALLY TANGENTIAL FOLLOWER FORCE

The governing differential equations and boundary conditions for the n on-conservative instability of a Timoshenko beam subjected to an end p artial tangential follower force are derived via Hamilton's principle. The two coupled governing differential equations are reduced to one f ourth order ordinary differential equation in terms of the flexural di splacement. The characteristic equation is expressed in terms of four linear independent fundamental solutions of the system. The influences of the tangency coefficient, the slenderness ratio and the elasticall y restrained boundary conditions on the elastic instablity and the cri tical load of a Timoshenko beam are investigated. The boundary curves for the flutter and divergence instability of clamped - elastically re strained beams are determined. (C) 1995 Academic Press Limited