Stability of columns with a single crack subjected to follower and vertical loads

Abstract A general flexibility matrix is developed which expresses the local flexibility of a beam of rectangular cross section with a single edge crack. The dominant term in this matrix is used to study the stability of the cracked column to follower and vertical loads. The kinetic method is used and eigencurves are developed to study the system stability. For follower type loads, the Beck column, stability charts are given for several crack locations and sizes. Flutter type of instability is always encountered. For vertical loads the same type of analysis reveals the divergent type of instability, reported already in the literature. It was found that cracks can make this system have flutter type of instability for vertical loads.