The Stability of a Circular Rod Laterally Constrained to Be in Contact With an Inclined Circular Cylinder

Abstract

The stability of a rod loaded by an axial force and moment and gravity forces is considered by energy methods. The displacements are restricted in such a way that the rod must remain in contact with a rigid circular cylinder. The configuration is found to be stable for all loads unless the additional restriction is made that the cross-sectional elements of the rod do not rotate as they move around in contact with the cylinder. For these restricted displacements it is found that axial moment is not important in determining the stability of the configuration.