The stability of viscoelastic perfect columns: A dynamic approach (Q1061543)

The dynamic approach for stability analysis is used to obtain an approximate closed-form expression for the ''viscoelastic critical load'' of perfect columns made of a linear three-element model material. It is shown that a ''critical time'' for such structures cannot be defined independently of the type and nature of the disturbance causing instability in the sense of Lyapunov. Criteria are introduced to define a critical time that is independent of the magnitude of the disturbance. The nature of the disturbance, whether it is dynamic or static, however, still has a significant influence on the value of such a critical time.