Post-divergence and post-flutter analysis of sub-tangentially loaded and damped Beck column using a nonlinear FE procedure

Both post-divergence and post-flutter behaviors of damped Beck columns subjected to a sub-tangentially follower force are rigorously explored using an exact co-rotational frame element. First a linear stability theory of the damped Beck column is summarized using a stability map. A geometrically nonlinear frame element based on the co-rotational formulation is then formulated including mass matrix, Rayleigh damping matrix, and load-correction stiffness matrix due to circulatory forces. The dynamic FE analysis is performed using Newmark integration method. Finally a Beck column model is parametrically analyzed in order to investigate non-linear stability characteristics of the internally and externally damped non-conservative system. In particular, interesting nonlinear behaviors of Beck column quite different from those predicted by the linear theory are reported through static and dynamic nonlinear analysis with variation of sub-tangentiality of the follower force.