LAUSR

Abstract This paper presents an analytical investigation on the free vibration, static buckling and dynamic instability of channel-section beams when subjected to periodic loading. The analysis is carried out by using Bolotin’s method. By assuming the instability modes, the kinetic energy and strain energy of the beam and the loss of the potential of the applied load are evaluated, from which the mass, stiffness and geometric stiffness matrices of the system are derived. These matrices are then used to carry out the analyses of free vibration, static buckling and dynamic instability of the beams. Theoretical formulae are derived for the free vibration frequency, critical buckling moment, and excitation frequency of the beam. The effects of the lateral restraint applied to the flange, the section size of the beam and the static part of the applied load on the variation of dynamic instability zones are also discussed.