Bifurcation of solutions of statics problems of the nonlinear theory of elasticity (Q1107359)

The problem of bifurcation of the equilibrium mode of an elastic body is considered on the basis of three-dimensional equations of nonlinear elasticity. Necessary and sufficient conditions for the solvability of an inhomogeneous linearized boundary value problem are derived for conservative external forces and are utilized to formulate the bifurcation equation. In application to three-dimensional problems of nonlinear elasticity, a procedure is constructed for the Lyapunov-Schmidt method in operator form which enables a number of solutions to be determined that branch off at the bifurcation point and enable asymptotic representations to be obtained for solutions under the almost critical loads. The general theory is illustrated by investigation of the post- critical behaviour of a thick-walled cylinder loaded on the side surface.