Question

Which of the following is true about secondary path?

(a) lateral displacement increases indefinitely at constant load

(b) lateral displacement decreases indefinitely at constant load

(c) lateral displacement remains same at constant load

(d) lateral displacement increases indefinitely and decreases at constant load

This question was addressed to me by my college professor while I was bunking the class.

The doubt is from Behaviour and Ultimate Strength of Plates and Possible Failure Modes topic in chapter Plastic and Local Buckling Behaviour of Steel of Design of Steel Structures

Answer 1

Correct option is (a) lateral displacement increases indefinitely at constant load

The explanation: When the axial load reaches the Euler bucking load, the lateral displacement increases indefinitely at constant load. This is called secondary path, which bifurcates from fundamental path at the buckling load.