Finite element method applied to the problem of stability of a non‐conservative system

Abstract

Abstract The finite element method is applied to the stability analysis of structural systems subject to non‐conservative forces. The development of the method is general, but the specific application considered here is the stability of thin‐walled members subject to follower forces. The method predicts the type of instability, whether it be buckling or flutter. Example problems, for which exact solutions are known, illustrate the accuracy and convergence characteristic of the finite element formulation.