• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.501-516
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• 2009

This paper aims to study the large deflections of variable-arc-length elastica subjected to the terminal forces (e.g., axial force and torque). Based on Kirchhoff's rod theory and with help of Euler parameters, the set of nonlinear governing differential equations which free from the effect of singularity are established together with boundary conditions. The system of nonlinear differential equations is solved by using the shooting method with high accuracy integrator, seventh-eighth order Runge-Kutta with adaptive step-size scheme. The error norm of end conditions is minimized within the prescribed tolerance ($10^{-5}$). The behavior of VAL elastica is studied by two processes. One is obtained by applying slackening first. After that keeping the slackening as a constant and then the twist angle is varied in subsequent order. The other process is performed by reversing the sequence of loading in the first process. The results are interpreted by observing the load-deflection diagram and the stability properties are predicted via fold rule. From the results, there are many interesting aspects such as snap-through phenomenon, secondary bifurcation point, loop formation, equilibrium configurations and effect of variable-arc-length to behavior of elastica.