ABSTRACT
Stability of structural systems, in general, and steel structures, in particular, is extremely important. Stability analysis is important in offshore structures, as most of the compliant structures alleviate the encountered environmental loads by their geometric form and not by strength (Chandrasekaran, Chandak and Anupam, 2006; Chandrasekaran and Nassery, 2015a; Chandrasekaran et al., 2004b; 2008c; 2007a). The configuration of any structural system is posed to a challenge under the given loads and boundary conditions (Timoshenko and Gere, 1961). However, if the structural configuration satisfies the conditions of static equilibrium, compatibility and force–displacement relationships, then it is said to be stable. An unstable condition is often referred to as a failed state. Stability, therefore, demands an understanding of failure. This chapter deals with the derivation of stability functions for fixed beam, using the classical matrix method of structural analysis. Numerical examples of frames under lateral loads are solved using Matlab® program. Complete coding along with detailed input and output for the example problems is given in this chapter.
