Effect of Initial Load on Static Characteristics of Beams Fixed at One End and Simply Supported at the Other End

The effect of initial load on the static characteristics of beams fixed at one end and simply supported at the other end is studied.Based on a nonlinear differential equation of the static responses,the closed-form solutions of static responses for such beams are given,with the effect of initial load considered.An initial load influence factor is introduced to indicate the nonlinear effect of initial load and how it is affected by the magnitude of initial load,sectional moment of inertia and span of the beam is discussed.The results suggest that with the initial load in existence,the static responses induced by later-applied loads would be reduced,the extent of this reduction relates to the magnitude of initial load and stiffness of the beam,and such effect should be appropriately considered in the design of lightweight and flexible structures.