Columns under a Follower Force

Abstract

An elastic cantilevered beam subjected to a follower force, the so-called Beck’s column, is an ideal/classical structural model in the theory of nonconservative stability problems. The stability of columns associated with follower forces is a relatively new topic in the field of structural stability, at least in comparison with the part dealing with conservative forces. This chapter discusses the basic aspects of a column under a follower force, its positive and negative features.