Linear models of buckling and stress-stiffening

Linear models for estimating the limits of elastic stability and the effects of stress stiffening are formulated, starting from the assumption that in its reference configuration the elastic body is subjected to an initial stress field which satisfies the equations of linear elasticity. When the body is subjected to some kinematically admissible perturbation then the work done by the initial stress field, due to the product term of the Green-Lagrange strain tensor, accounts for the geometric terms in the equilibrium equations which represent the effects of the initial stress field. Examples are presented.