Dynamic stability of multi-span frames subjected to periodic loading

In this study, in-plane dynamic stability analysis of multi-span frames, which are composed of columns and beams and subjected to periodic loading, is investigated by using the Finite Element Method. Periodic loading is considered to be applied to each column member as an axial load and no loading is applied on the beams. The effects of beam to column length ratio, beam to column cross-section ratio and beam to column moment of area ratio are investigated for in-plane frames. In addition, the effect of the number of span and static and dynamic load parameters on the free vibration, buckling and dynamic stability analysis is also investigated. The results are compared with the recent literature in terms of the fundamental natural frequency and critical buckling load.

► The static and the dynamic stability of multi-span frames were studied.
► FEM and the Euler–Bernoulli beam assumptions were used for beam modeling.
► Frequency and buckling load parameters were obtained for multi-span frames.
► The first dynamic unstable regions for the various parameters were investigated.