Analytic postbuckling solution of a pre-stressed infinite beam bonded to a linear elastic foundation

The postbuckling deflection of an infinite beam that is bonded to a linear elastic foundation and is subjected to an internal compressive stress is analyzed. The nonlinear equilibrium equation that governs the problem considers extensional deformation of the beam. An analytic solution of the nonlinear equilibrium equation is presented and is found to be in good agreement with numerical simulations of the problem. The numerical simulations confirm that for a linear elastic foundation the postbuckling deflection is periodic. The analytic solution shows that the postbuckling wavelength is unaffected by the level of internal stress, and is equal to the wavelength at the critical state.