Stability of a finite length multi-span beam resting on periodic rigid and elastic supports

The stability of a multi-span finite length beam resting on periodic rigid and elastic supports is studied in this paper. The beam is compressed by axial forces applied at the edges. The stability analysis of the compressed beam is carried out using the transfer matrix method in conjunction with Bloch-Floquet's approach. Based on analytical and numerical analysis several boundary value stability problems are considered and comparison with the infinite beam model is carry out. It is shown that the model of the periodic infinite beam is in good agreement with the results of the finite length beam with the equidistant rigid and elastically supports when the number of spans is more than six. It is also shown that elastic supports significantly increase the multi-span beam stability.