On the elastic stability of static non-holonomic systems

This paper presents a new formulation for the elastic stability of static non-holonomic structural systems. The theory is developed within the tradition of discrete (or discretized) systems written in terms of a set of generalized coordinates and control parameters. The non-holonomic conditions are written as constraint functions. The formulation employs a Lagrangian functional in terms of the total potential energy, the constraint functions and multipliers. Critical states are identified and the solution is next expanded by regular perturbations. This allows to establish a classification of critical states and identify the initial postcritical behavior. This solution is valid provided that there is no change in the active constraints of the system. The paper presents a mathematical analysis of the critical condition, and concludes with simple examples of two degree-of-freedom systems previously investigated by other authors.