A finite element asymptotic analysis for determining the lower bound d
ynamic buckling estimates of imperfection-sensitive structures under s
tep load of infinite duration is presented. The lower bound dynamic bu
ckling loads and the corresponding displacements are sought in the for
m of asymptotic expansions based on the static stability criterion and
they can be determined by solving numerically (FEM) several linear pr
oblems with a single nonsingular sub-stiffness matrix.