Abstract: To improve the stability of beam subjected to a follower compressive load, point support with certain stiffness is used on different positions. Differential equation of motion is established. By using differential quadrature method, numerical results of the complex characteristic equation are calculated. The change relation between complex frequency and follower force, and the influence of support stiffness on the destabilizing pattern of beam are obtained. The results shows that when the support is close to the free end of beam, with the increase of support stiffness, the destabilizing pattern of beam can change from flutter to buckling; when the support is close to the fixed end of beam, with the increase of support stiffness, the destabilizing pattern will always be flutter; when the rigid support is close to the fixed end at L1=0.4L, the critical value of follower force is up to the maximum.

Key words: Buckling, Flutter, Follower force, Point support, Stiffness, power flow, quasi-zero stiffness, torsional vibration, transmissibility, vibration level difference