• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.955-971
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• 2014

Large post-buckling behavior of Timoshenko beams subjected to non-follower axial compression loads are studied in this paper by using the total Lagrangian Timoshenko beam element approximation. Two types of support conditions for the beams are considered. In the case of beams subjected to compression loads, load rise causes compressible forces end therefore buckling and post-buckling phenomena occurs. It is known that post-buckling problems are geometrically nonlinear problems. The considered highly non-linear problem is solved considering full geometric non-linearity by using incremental displacement-based finite element method in conjunction with Newton-Raphson iteration method. There is no restriction on the magnitudes of deflections and rotations in contradistinction to von-Karman strain displacement relations of the beam. The beams considered in numerical examples are made of lower-Carbon Steel. In the study, the relationships between deflections, rotational angles, critical buckling loads, post-buckling configuration, Cauchy stress of the beams and load rising are illustrated in detail in post-buckling case.