Stability Analysis of Beck`s Column with a Tip Mass Restrained by a Spring

The purpose of this paper is to investigate free vibrations and critical loads of the Beck`s columns with a tip spring, which carry a tip mass. The ordinary differential equation governing free vibrations of Beck`s column subjected to a follower force is derived based on the Bernoulli-Euler beam theory Both the divergence and flutter critical loads are calculated from the load-frequency corves that are obtained by solving the differential equation numerically. The critical loads are presented in the figures as functions of various non-dimensional system parameters such as the subtangential parameter, mass ratio and spring parameter.