“Natural”, “kinematic” and “elastic” displacements of underconstrained structures

Analysis of pin-bars assemblies in which the number of degrees of freedom is greater than equilibrium matrix rank (underconstrained structures) is carried out. Some approaches to the linear analysis of statics, stability and vibrations are presented. It is shown that the main feature of underconstrained structures is a dominant role of initial equilibrium state or prestressing. © 1997, Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved