The calculation of critical buckling loads for externally constrained structures

A method of identifying the critical load of structures, the buckling shape of which is constrained, is presented based on two novel techniques. The f irst identifies this critical or limit point buckling value using a linear, complementary algorithm to solve what is shown to be a quadratic programmi ng problem, while the second adopts a generalized inverse iteration techniq ue. The critical load of a circular ring confined by a rigid circular bound ary and subject to thermal expansion is then obtained using this technique, and it is found that it is lower than that previously obtained from a trad itional approach based on energy considerations. Copyright (C) 1999 John Wi ley & Sons, Ltd.