ME 4175 Machine

Design
Chapter 4 Stress, Strain, & Deflection
Part 3

Columns/Beams in Axial
Compression
columns

centroi
d

Structural elements that are

subjected to axial compressive
forces only are called columns.

Columns in Axial Compression

Columns or beams in
axial compression
have a buckling failure
mechanism in addition
to a max compressive
stress failure
For long columns or
beams, buckling will
be the primary failure
mechanism

Comments on the Pinned-Pinned Buckling Solution

Assumptions:
The column geometry is perfectly straight and
without defects
The load passes through the centroid of the beams
cross section exactly

For the area moment of inertia in the radius of

gyration equation, always use the smallest
value for a non-circular cross section
In general, buckling must be considered for
columns with a slenderness ration of greater
than 10
Buckling failure depends on the elastic modulus
of the material and not the compressive failure
stress

Failure modes
Short columns crushing
(materials failure)

Long columns buckling

(loss of stability)

Axial loads
cause lateral
deformations
(bendinglike
deformatio
ns)

Buckling

Buckling Load for a Pinned-Pinned Column

Beam equation:

M d2 y
2
EI dx

M=P(-y)
Differential equation:

d2 y Py

0
2
dx
EI
Solution:

P
P
y(x) C1 sin
x C2 cos
x
EI
EI

Bucking Load for a Pinned-Pinned Column

P
P
y(x) C1 sin
x C2 cos
x
EI
EI
Solve for C1 and C2 using the following boundary conditions:
y(0)=0 and y(l)=0
y(0)=0 C2=0
y(l)=0

C1 sin
Taking C1 as non-zero:

P
l n
EI

P
l0
EI

for n= 0, 1,2

Bucking Load for a Pinned-Pinned Column

The critical load required to buckle the beam is

n 2 2 EI
Pcr
l2

where n defines the buckling mode shapes

P1
P1
P1
P2
P2
P2

P3
P3
P3

22 EI
First mode of buckling P1 EI
First mode of buckling P1 L2 2
2EI
First mode of buckling P1 L
L2

4 22 EI
Second mode of buckling P2 4 EI
Second mode of buckling P2 L22
4 2EI
Second mode of buckling P2 L
L2
Third mode of buckling
Third mode of buckling
Third mode of buckling

9 22 EI
P3 9 2EI
P3 9L22EI
P3 L 2
L

P1
P1
P1
P2
P2
P2

P3
P3
P3

Bucking Load for a Pinned-Pinned

Column
2 EI
Pcr 2
l

First mode of buckling

Define:
Radium of Gyration

Slenderness Ratio

k
Sr

I
A
l
k

The critical load can now be expressed as:

2 EA
Pcr 2
Sr

Buckling Solution for Other End Conditions

Buckling Solution for Other End Conditions

EA EI
Pcr 2 2
Sr
leff
2

where

leff
Sr
k

Column failure criteria

Pcr
A

Syc

Pcr
1 SycSr 2
Syc (
)
A
E 2

Pcr 2 E
2
A
Sr
(Sr ) D

2E
Syc

Solution Strategy for Beams Loaded

Exactly at the Centroid
Calculate the slenderness ratio and
compare to the transition between Johnson
and Euler failure regions
Radium of Gyration
Slenderness Ratio

(Sr ) D
If

Sr (Sr )Dthen:

Else:

Pcr 2 E
2
A
Sr

Sr

l
k

2E
Syc

Pcr
1 SycSr 2
Syc (
)
A
E 2

I
A

Eccentrically Loaded Columns

The offset load causes a net
moment before the beam is
deflected

The differential equation defining

the deflection
of the beams
2
d y Py
Pe
becomes

2
dx
EI
EI

From this differential equation,

Peak Compressive Stress for an

Eccentrically Loaded Beam
leff
ec
P
c 1 2 sec(
k
A
k

P
)
4EA

Eccentricity ratio

ec
Er 2
k

Optimal Geometry for Columns under

Compression
EI
Pcr

l2

on

ce

Fundamentals
2D to 3D

Buckling Load Factor

Buckling Load factor

The buckling load factor (BLF) is the factor of safety against buckling or the ratio of the buckling loads to the applied
loads. The following table illustrates the interpretation of possible BLF values:
BLF Value ( factor of
safety)

Buckling Status

Notes

1 < BLF

Buckling not predicted

The applied loads are less than the

estimated critical loads. Buckling is not
expected.

0 < BLF < 1

Buckling predicted

The applied loads exceed the estimated

critical loads. Buckling is expected.

BLF = 1

Buckling predicted

The applied loads are exactly equal to the

estimated critical loads. Buckling is expected.

BLF = -1

Buckling not predicted

The buckling occurs when the directions of

the applied loads are all reversed. For
example, if a bar is under tensile load, the
BLF should be negative. The bar will never
buckle.

-1 < BLF < 0

Buckling not predicted

Buckling is predicted if you reverse all loads.

BLF < -1

Buckling not predicted

Buckling is not expected even if you reverse

all loads.

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From statics and mechanics of Materials by P