Dynamic buckling of a 2-DOF imperfect system with symmetric imperfections

Non-linear dynamic buckling of a two-degree-of freedom (2-DOF) imperfect planar system with symmetric imperfections under a step load of infinite duration (autonomous system) is thoroughly discussed using energy and geometric considerations. This system under the same load applied statically exhibits (prior to limit point) an unstable symmetric bifurcation lying on the non-linear primary equilibrium path. With the aid of the total energy-balance equation of the system and the particular geometry (due to symmetric imperfections) of the plane curve corresponding to the zero level total potential energy “surface” exact dynamic buckling loads are obtained without solving the non-linear initial-value problem. The efficiency and the reliability of the technique proposed herein is demonstrated with the aid of various dynamic buckling analyses which are compared with numerical simulation using the Verner-Runge-Kutta scheme, the accuracy of which is checked via the energy-balance equation.