Initial collapse of braced elliptical tubes under lateral compression (Q1384275)

Bounds to the collapse load of braced elliptical tubes under lateral compression are determined. The lower bound is obtained by means of an equivalent structure which satisfies equilibrium and does not violate the yield condition. The upper bound is found for an admissible collapse mechanism where the work rate of external forces during collapse equals the internal energy dissipation rate. Asymmetric collapse loads are slighty smaller than symmetric ones.