Engineering Tripos Part IIA

3D4 Structural Analysis and Stability

Examples Paper 4
1. Two uniform elastic columns have length L and relevant bending stiffness EI.
Column (1) is initially straight but is loaded eccentrically at the ends so that initially the
axis of thrust is parallel to the axis of the column and distant e from it.
Column (2) is loaded centrally at the ends but it has a sinusoidal bow of half-wave length
L with an eccentricity e at the mid-point of the column.
From first principles (i.e. by setting up a differential equation and solving it) show that small
lateral deflections, , of the mid-points of the columns, measured from the axis of thrust, are
given by
1 =
2 =

e
p

cos 2 P/PE
e
1 P/EE

where P is the current axial load and PE = 2 EI/L2 .

Compare these expressions by plotting e/ against P/PE in each case. What do you conclude
from this?
2. Consider the initially straight, horizontal uniform elastic strut of length L and flexural rigidity
EI shown in Figure 1. A moment MB is applied as shown. Find the end-rotations at A and B
in terms of the s and c functions of the strut. Verify that your answers reduce to the data book
values when P = 0.
A

MB
Fig. 1

The moment is removed and a rotational spring is attached at B which exerts a restoring couple
on the strut of B . Show that the elastic critical load for the strut is given by solutions of
+ ks(1 c2 ) = 0

where k = EI/L

3. A simple Euler strut of length L has an initial imperfection of

w0 = b1 sin

x
3x
+ b3 sin
L
L

The elastic critical load is 100 kN. Let the change in central deflection be (i.e. = 0 when
the axial load is zero).
For the two cases:
i. b1 = 0.1, b3 = 0;
ii. b1 = 0.1, b3 = 1.2
calculate the values /P and when P = 10, 20, . . . , 80 kN in steps of 10 kN, and plot the
Southwell plot in each case. Using the last two data points on each plot, compare the PE and
b1 estimates obtained from the slopes and intercepts with the known values.
4. In the rigid-jointed frame shown in Figure 2 all the members have the same value of basic
stiffness k = EI/L. Determine the first and second critical values of P/PE for the frame, where
PE = 2 EI/L2 . Sketch the two buckling modes.

L
Fig. 2

Indicate how the equations for the problem would be modified if the rigid clamp at end A were
replaced by a frictionless pin (a numerical solution is not required).

5. Figures 3(a) - 5(a) show, schematically, various sorts of compressive stress/strain curves under
rising stress for different materials. Sketch the forms of the corresponding tangent modulus
buckling curves in Figures 3(b) - 5(b).

Fig. 3

Fig. 4

Fig. 5

6. (a) Describe two different effects by which a linear-elastic beam over a span L resists lateraltorsional buckling, and explain how one or other of these effects dominates the behaviour in a
given situation, depending on the size of L.
(b) A beam consists of two thin-walled tubular steel flanges separated by a lattice web, as
shown in Figure 6(a). Details of the cross-section are given in Figure 6(b). The web is such
that, if the beam is twisted, the cross-section retains its overall shape and hence the torsional
stiffness of the beam is the sum of the torsional stiffnesses of the two tubes. The beam is
supported so that its ends are held vertical but are otherwise free to rotate. Equal and opposite
in-plane couples of magnitude M are applied to the ends of the beam, as shown in Figure 6(a).
Find the critical value of M for lateral-torsional buckling (i) on the assumption that buckling is
resisted by a combination of torsional and minor-axis flexural stiffness and (ii) on the assumption
that the upper tube buckles as an Euler column. Hence find the value of L for which the two
calculations give the same buckling condition.

(a)
(b)
Fig. 6
7. An aluminium strut has equal angle cross-section 90 90 6 mm (see p. 16 of Structures
Data Book.) At its ends it is free to bend about the minor axis.
i. What is the greatest length of the strut for torsional buckling to occur in preference to
flexural buckling?
ii. Estimate the value of applied axial stress at which torsional buckling will occur.
Take E = 70 GPa, G = 26 GPa.

Answers
Q. 4 P/PE = 2.75, 3.30.
Q. 6 (b)i.

3
d
t
L 2 2

EG; ii.

2 H d3 t
8 E;
L2

same buckling condition for L/H = 1.13.

Q. 7 i. 1.32 m; ii. 124 MPa.

S. Pellegrino
March 2007