Stability of a column with a follower load and a load-dependent elastic support (Q1209167)

The influence of an elastic support on the stability of an elastic column under a follower load is investigated. The support is pinned and has a rotational spring whose stiffness is either constant or increases as the load is applied. Linear and quadratic stiffening functions are treated. An adjoint variational principle and a generalized Rayleigh-Ritz method are developed for this system. Characteristic curves are examined and the critical load, which is associated with flutter instability, is determined. The effects of the initial spring stiffness and the stiffening rate on the critical load are studied.