Nonlinear analysis of elastic space trusses (Q1060051)

A displacement method based formulation is presented to perform the analysis of imperfect elastic space trusses, in the response of which the nonlinear effects developing pre- and post-instabilization of the structure are dominant. Additional forces and deformations are used to preserve symmetry in the Lagrangian description of the governing system. Perturbation methods are used to formulate the finite incremental problem. The external work rate is used as control variable in the numerical solution procedure, which is designed to maximize the step length and capable of identifying and solving the occurrence of critical points in the equilibrium path.