Stability of non-trivial equilibrium paths for thin-walled cantilevers under dead or follower shearing forces

Literature often studies stability of trivial equilibrium paths, relying on suitable constraints; however, here we study stability of non-trivial, non-linear solutions of the equilibrium field equations for thin-walled cantilevers under end shearing forces, either dead or follower, using a direct one-dimensional model coarsely describing warping. We find non-trivial equilibrium paths by a version of finite differences, and investigate stability of superimposed small perturbation. Thin-walled cantilevers under follower shearing forces may lose stability by either buckling or flutter; we present and discuss a comparison between theoretical values of literature and numerical predictions obtained by the proposed technique, emphasizing the effect of warping.