Initial postbuckling behavior of beams on nonlinear elastic foundations (Q805356)

The approach adopted in the present paper is to use asymptotic expansion considerations to differential equations obtained via the principle of stationary potential energy. In the present study the linear part of the foundation modulus is taken to be dependent linearly on the axial compression on the beam. The beam is thought of as modeling a single fiber of a unidirectional one fiber composite, while the foundation represents the supporting matrix. Thus, the assumed dependency of the foundation modulus on the axial compression on the beam is based on the premise that the lateral support offered by the foundation is a function of the overall compression on the composite.