9.

Buckling of columns

Introduction, The ideal pin-ended column; Euler

buckling load, The effect of end conditions on column
buckling, Eccentric loading; The secant formula,
Imperfections in columns, Inelastic buckling of ideal
columns, Design of centrally loaded columns.

Introduction
In discussing the analysis and design of various
structures in the previous chapters, we had two primary
concerns:
the strength of the structure, i.e. its ability to support a
specified load without experiencing excessive stresses;
the ability of the structure to support a specified load
without undergoing unacceptable deformations.
Now we shall be concerned with stability of the structure,
with its ability to support a given load without
experiencing a sudden change in its configuration.
Our discussion will relate mainly to columns,
the analysis and design of vertical prismatic members
supporting axial loads.
2
Prof. S. N. Goravar
Dept. of Automation & Robotics
B.V.B.College of Engg. & Tech.

Introduction
If a beam element is under a compressive
load and its length is an order of magnitude
larger than either of its other dimensions
such a beam is called a columns.
Due to its size its axial displacement is
going to be very small compared to its
lateral deflection called buckling.
Quite often the buckling of column can lead
to sudden and dramatic failure. And as a
result, special attention must be given to
design of column so that they can safely
support the loads.

3
Prof. S. N. Goravar
Dept. of Automation & Robotics
B.V.B.College of Engg. & Tech.

2-Bar mechanism
Elasticity of the buckling model is concentrated in the
spring ( real model can bend throughout its length)
Two bars are perfectly aligned
Load P is along the vertical axis
Spring is unstressed
Bar is in direct compression
Structure is disturbed by an external force that
causes point A to move a small distance laterally.
Rigid bars rotate through small angles
Force develops in the spring
Direction of the force tends to return the structure to
its original straight position, called the Restoring
Force.

4
Prof. S. N. Goravar
Dept. of Automation & Robotics
B.V.B.College of Engg. & Tech.

Critical Load

Transition between stable and unstable conditions occurs at

a value of the axial force called the Critical Load Pcr.
Find the critical load by considering the structure in the
disturbed position and consider equilibrium
Consider the entire structure as a FBD and sum the forces in
the x direction

Next, consider the upper bar as a free body

Subjected to axial forces P and force F in the spring
Force is equal to the stiffness k times the displacement ,
F = k
Since is small, the lateral displacement of point A is
L/2
Applying equilibrium and solving for P: Pcr=kL/4

If the axial load is less than Pcr the effect of the moment in
the spring dominates and the structure returns to the
vertical position after a small disturbance stable condition.
If the axial load is larger than Pcr the effect of the axial force
predominates and the structure buckles unstable condition.

5
Prof. S. N. Goravar
Dept. of Automation & Robotics
B.V.B.College of Engg. & Tech.

Pin-ended column
Due to imperfections no column is really straight.
At some critical compressive load it will buckle.
To determine the maximum compressive load (Buckling
Load) we assume that buckling has occurred
Looking at the FBD of the top of the beam
Equating moments at the cut end; M(x)=-Pv
Since the deflection of thed 2beam
is related with its bending
v
moment distribution EI 2 Pv
dx
d 2v P

v0
to: dx 2 EI

This equation simplifies

P/EI is constant.
2
This expression is in thedform
of a second order
v
2

v
0
P
dx 2 type
differential
2 equation of the
EI
Where
The solution of this
v equation
A cos(x ) is:B sin x
A and B are found using boundary conditions

6
Prof. S. N. Goravar
Dept. of Automation & Robotics
B.V.B.College of Engg. & Tech.

Pin-ended column
Boundary Conditions
At x=0, v=0, therefore A=0
At x=L, v=0, then 0=Bsin(L)
If B=0, no bending moment exists, so the
only logical solution is for sin(L)=0 and the
only way that can happen is if L=n, where
2
n=1,2,3,
P
n

EI L
But since
Then we get that buckling
2 EI load is:
P n2

L2
7
Prof. S. N. Goravar
Dept. of Automation & Robotics
B.V.B.College of Engg. & Tech.

 The values of n defines the buckling mode shapes

P1

First mode of buckling P1

2 EI

P1

L2

P2

P2
Second mode of buckling P2

4 2 EI
L2

P3

P3
Third mode of buckling

9 2 EI
P3
L2

Since P1<P2<P3, the column buckles at P1 and never

gets to P2 or P3 unless bracing is placed at the points
where v=0 to prevent buckling at lower loads.
The critical load for a pin ended column is then:
2 EI
PCrit 2
L
Which is called the Euler Buckling Load
8
Prof. S. N. Goravar
Dept. of Automation & Robotics
B.V.B.College of Engg. & Tech.

Built-In Column
The critical load for other column can
be expressed in terms of the critical
buckling load for a pin-ended column.
From symmetry conditions at the point
of inflection occurs at L.
Therefore the middle half of the
column can be taken out and treated
as a pin-ended column of length
LE=L/2
2
4 EI
Yielding:
PCrit

L2

9
Prof. S. N. Goravar
Dept. of Automation & Robotics
B.V.B.College of Engg. & Tech.

Cantilever Column
This is similar to the previous case.
The span is equivalent to of the Euler
span LE
PCrit

2 EI 2 EI
2
LE
4L2

L=LE/2

P
A

LE

10
Prof. S. N. Goravar
Dept. of Automation & Robotics
B.V.B.College of Engg. & Tech.

Summary
PCrit

Le

L
0. 7 L
0.5 L
2L

2 EI
2
L

pin pin
fixed pin
fixed fixed
fixed free

11
Prof. S. N. Goravar
Dept. of Automation & Robotics
B.V.B.College of Engg. & Tech.

Effective length

Le

L
0.7 L
0.5L
2L

pin pin
2 EI
fixed pin PCrit
L2
fixed fixed
fixed free

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Note on Moment of Inertia

Since Pcrit is proportional to I, the column will
buckle in the direction corresponding to the
minimum value of I
2 EI
PCrit

Buckling Direction

Cross-section
y

P
y

L2
A
h

x
b
Iy>Iz

13
Prof. S. N. Goravar
Dept. of Automation & Robotics
B.V.B.College of Engg. & Tech.

Critical Column Stress

A column can either fail due to the material yielding,
or because the column buckles, it is of interest to the
engineer to determine when this point of transition
2

EI
occurs.
PE 2
L
Consider the Euler buckling equation
2
Because of the large deflection caused
by
buckling,
I Ar
the least moment of inertia I can be expressed as
where: A is the cross sectional area and r is
the
I
r area, i.e. .
radius of gyration of the cross sectional
A

Note that the smallest radius of gyration of the

column, i.e. the least moment of inertia I should be
taken in order to find the critical stress.
14
Prof. S. N. Goravar
Dept. of Automation & Robotics
B.V.B.College of Engg. & Tech.

Critical Column Stress

Dividing the buckling equation by A, gives:

PE
2 E
E

A L / r 2

where:
E is the compressive stress in the column and must not
exceed the yield stress Y of the material, i.e. E<Y,
L / r is called the slenderness ratio, it is a measure of
the column's flexibility.
Pcrit is the critical or maximum axial load on the column
just before it begins to buckle
E youngs modulus of elasticity
I least moment of inertia for the columns cross
sectional area.
L unsupported length of the column whose ends are
pinned.
15
Prof. S. N. Goravar
Dept. of Automation & Robotics
B.V.B.College of Engg. & Tech.

Example-1

A 2m long pin ended column of square cross section. Assuming E=12.5GPa, =

12MPa for compression parallel to the grain, and using a factor of safety of 2.5
in computing Eulers critical load for buckling, determining the size of the cross
section if the column is to safely support (a) a P = 100kN load and (b) a P =
200kN load.

Example-2
A 2m long pin ended column of square cross section of 25mmX50mm is pin
supported at the center of length as shown in figure. Assuming E=12.5GPa, =
12MPa for compression parallel to the grain. Determine the load it can support
Pcrit that the column does not buckle nor material exceed the yield stress.

25mm

50mm

16
Prof. S. N. Goravar
Dept. of Automation & Robotics
B.V.B.College of Engg. & Tech.

Example-3

Example-4

17
Prof. S. N. Goravar
Dept. of Automation & Robotics
B.V.B.College of Engg. & Tech.

Example-5
The A-36 steel W20046 member shown is to be
used as a pin-connected column. Determine the
largest axial load it can support before it either
begins to buckle or the steel yields.
Yield stress for steel = 250 N/mm2
Ix = 45.5e6 mm4, Iy = 15.3e6mm4

Example-6

18
Prof. S. N. Goravar
Dept. of Automation & Robotics
B.V.B.College of Engg. & Tech.

Example-7

19
Prof. S. N. Goravar
Dept. of Automation & Robotics
B.V.B.College of Engg. & Tech.

EXAMPLE 8
A W15024 steel column is 8 m
long and is fixed at its ends as
shown. Its load-carrying capacity
is increased by bracing it about
the y-y axis using struts that are
assumed to be pin-connected
to its mid-height. Determine the
load it can support sp that the
column does not buckle nor
material exceed the yield stress.
Take Est = 200 GPa and Y = 410 Mpa
Ix = 13.4106 mm4 and Iy = 1.83106 mm4
Area = 3060mm2

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EXAMPLE 8 (SOLN)

Buckling behavior is
different about the x and y
axes due to bracing.
Buckled shape for each
case is shown.
The effective length for
buckling about the x-x axis
is (KL)x = 0.5(8 m) = 4 m.
For buckling about the y-y
axis, (KL)y = 0.7(8 m/2) = 2.8 m.
We get Ix = 13.4106 mm4 and Iy = 1.83106 mm4
from Appendix B.
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EXAMPLE 8 (SOLN)

Applying Eqn 13-11,

2 EI x 2 200 106 kN/m 2 13.4 106 m 4

Pcr x

2
2
KL x
4 m

Pcr x 1653.2 kN
2 EI y

2 200 106 kN/m 2 1.83 106 m 4

Pcr y

2
KL y
2.8 m 2

Pcr y 460.8 kN

By comparison, buckling will occur about the y-y

axis.
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EXAMPLE 8 (SOLN)

Area of x-section is 3060 mm2, so average

compressive stress in column will be

cr

Pcr 460.8 103 N

2

150
.
6
N/mm
2
A
3060 m

Since cr < Y = 410 MPa, buckling will occur before

the material yields.

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EXAMPLE 8 (SOLN)

NOTE: From Eqn 13-11, we see that buckling always

occur about the column axis having the largest
slenderness ratio. Thus using data for the radius of
gyration from table in Appendix B,

KL

KL

4 m1000 mm/m

60.4
66.2 mm
2.8 m1000 mm/m

114 .3
24.5 mm

Hence, y-y axis buckling will occur, which is the same

conclusion reached by comparing Eqns 13-11 for
both axes.
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Assignment

25
Prof. S. N. Goravar
Dept. of Automation & Robotics
B.V.B.College of Engg. & Tech.

Eccentric Loading: Secants Formula

Derive the critical load with the consideration that the load P applied
to a column is never perfectly centric.
Let e be the ecentricity of the load, i.e., the distance between the
line of action of P and the axis of the column
we shall replace the given eccentric load by a centric force P and a
couple MA of moment MA = P*e
no matter how small the load P and the eccentricity e, the couple MA
will cause some bending of the beam

26
Prof. S. N. Goravar
Dept. of Automation & Robotics
B.V.B.College of Engg. & Tech.

Maximum deflection can be obtained by

substituting x=L/2
Deflection curve equation is

Substituting,

The general solution of above equation is

Recalling, sec() = 1/cos() and sec() infinite as p

Ymax becomes infinite/mximum when
The constants A and B are obtained from the boundary
conditions shown in Fig. 11.21. Making first x = 0, y = 0 in
Eq. (11.24), we have
B=e
Making next x = L, y = 0, we write
A sin pL = e(l - cos pL)
Recalling,

The maximum stress (max ) occurs in the section

of the column where the bending moment is
maximum and can be obtained by adding the normal
stresses due to the axial force and the bending
couple

We get, ,
Substituting A & B

I = Ar2, with r = radius of gyration

27
Prof. S. N. Goravar
Dept. of Automation & Robotics
B.V.B.College of Engg. & Tech.

Example-9
Example-10

28
Prof. S. N. Goravar
Dept. of Automation & Robotics
B.V.B.College of Engg. & Tech.