Structural stability

Structural stability is the ability of a structure to maintain its shape and resist deformation or collapse under the action of external loading, e.g. earthquakes, wind, snow and environmental factors, among others. Structural stability is, mainly, known as a field of mechanics that studies the behavior of structures under compression. A structure is referred to as stable if it can retain its equilibrium under the applied loads, and any small perturbation does not cause the structure to fail or collapse.

Structural stability is an important consideration in the design and analysis of structures, particularly those that are subjected to compressive forces. When a structure is subjected to compressive forces, its stiffness may be reduced and its geometry may change, which can cause it to buckle or collapse. To ensure structural stability, engineers use various design and analysis techniques investigating if the structure is capable of resisting the expected loads without collapsing.