Buckling length of non-uniform members under stepped axial loads

In this paper an axially compressed non-uniform column connected with beams at its two ends is studied. The stepped axial loads act eccentrically on t he column at intermediate points. The non-linear equilibrium equations of t his model are established in the case of non-sway and sway mode, respective ly. Using these equations and following an iteration procedure, the equival ent buckling length coefficients and the corresponding critical loads are o btained and the results are presented in an easy to use graphical form. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.