A simple method to predict the thermal post-buckling behaviour of columns on Pasternak foundation

Abstract

A simple, intuitive method is presented in this paper to predict the thermal post-buckling behaviour of uniform columns with axially immovable ends on a two parameter Pasternak foundation. Both the simply supported and clamped columns are considered in this study. To bring out the simplicity of the method, a rigorous variational solution (Rayleigh-Ritz

method) is also presented, which involves the difficulty of assuming an appropriate admissible function for the axial displacement compatible with the lateral displacement. In this method, the axial displacement distribution is not required, which makes it very simple and attractive. It gives exactly the same results as that of the rigorous variational solution for the thermal post-buckling behaviour. Numerical results in terms of the post-buckling load parameter to the linear buckling load parameter are presented, which are directly useful to the designers and analysts.