DYNAMIC GLOBAL POSTBUCKLING BEHAVIOR OF BEAMS BY CELL-TO-CELL MAPPING

A dynamic approach was applied to study the behavior of an axially loa ded buckled inextensible beam. The ''cell-to-cell mapping method'' was used to define the equilibrium positions of the beam and their domain s of attraction. These domains were pictured on a displacement-velocit y phase plane and the magnitudes of ''safe'' deflection and velocity d isturbances, under the action of which the structure will resume its p re-interrupted equilibrium position, were thus determined. It was foun d that material properties do not affect the value of safe deflection, but the safe velocity disturbance is proportional to root E/rho.