ME 222 Mechanics of Deformable Solids

Lecture 38

Buckling of Columns
Eulers Formula For Pin-Ended Columns
Eulers Formula For Columns With Other
End Conditions.

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ME 222 Mechanics of Deformable Solids

Columns
Column Long slender structural member loaded axially in
compression.
Stability of a Structure Ability of a structure to support a
given load without experiencing a sudden change is its
configuration.
Buckling Application of an axial load causes a straight
column to suddenly become sharply curved.

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ME 222 Mechanics of Deformable Solids

Stability of Structures
Design a column AB of length L to support a
given load P.
The column is pin-connected at both ends and
assume that P is a centric axial load.
In design of the column, the cross-sectional area
is selected such that
- allowable stress is not exceeded

P
all
A

- deformation falls within specifications

PL
spec
AE

However, as the load is applied, the column may

become unstable and suddenly becomes sharply
curved. The column has buckled.
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ME 222 Mechanics of Deformable Solids

Eulers Formula For Pin-Ended Columns
Determine the critical value of the load P
for which the original vertical position of
the column ceases to be stable.
If P > Pcr, the slightest misalignment or
disturbance will cause the column to
buckle.
Eulers Formula for pin-ended columns

Pcr

2 EI

L2
E - modulus of elasticity
I - centroidal moment of inertia
of the cross section

P < Pcr

P > Pcr

Critical load should be computed using Imin

for the cross section.

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ME 222 Mechanics of Deformable Solids

Eulers Formula for Pin-Ended Columns
Consider an axially loaded beam.
After a small perturbation, the system
reaches an equilibrium configuration
such that
d2y

M
P

y
2
EI
EI
dx

d2y

y0
2
EI
dx

Solution with assumed configuration

can only be obtained if
P Pcr

2 EI
L2

P
2 E Ar 2
2E
cr

2
A
L A
L r 2

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ME 222 Mechanics of Deformable Solids

Eulers Formula for Pin-Ended Beams
The value of stress corresponding to the
critical load is the critical stress, cr.

2
2
Pcr E Ar
cr

A
L2 A
I Ar 2

cr

2E

L r

L
slenderness ratio
r
r radius of gyration

Structural steel
E = 200 GPa
Y = 250 MPa
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ME 222 Mechanics of Deformable Solids

Extension of Eulers Formula
The critical load for columns with different end
conditions can be determined as follows:
Pcr

2 EI
L2e

Le effective length

cr

2E

Le r

Le r

effective slenderness ratio

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ME 222 Mechanics of Deformable Solids

Extension of Eulers Formula

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ME 222 Mechanics of Deformable Solids

Sample Problem 10.1
An aluminum column of length L and
rectangular cross-section has a fixed end at B
and supports a centric load at A. Two smooth
and rounded fixed plates restrain end A from
moving in one of the vertical planes of
symmetry but allow it to move in the other
plane.
a) Determine the ratio a/b of the two sides of
the cross-section corresponding to the most
efficient design against buckling.

L = 20 in.
E = 10.1 x 106 psi

b) Design the most efficient cross-section for

the column.

P = 5 kips

FS = 2.5
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ME 222 Mechanics of Deformable Solids

Sample Problem 10.1
SOLUTION:
The most efficient design occurs when the
resistance to buckling is equal in both planes of
symmetry. This occurs when the slenderness
ratios are equal.

Buckling in xy Plane:
1 ba 3
I
a2
2
z
12
rz

A
ab
12

Le, z
rz

rz

a
12

Most efficient design:

0.7 L
a 12

Le, z

Buckling in xz Plane:
ry2

Le, y
ry

Iy
A

1 ab3
12

ab

b2

12

rz
ry

b
12

2L
b / 12

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Le, y
ry

0 .7 L
2L

a 12 b / 12
a 0 .7

b
2

a
0.35
b
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ME 222 Mechanics of Deformable Solids

Sample Problem 10.1
Design:
Le
2L
220 in 138.6

ry b 12 b 12
b
Pcr FS P 2.55 kips 12.5 kips

cr
cr

L = 20 in.
E = 10.1 x 106 psi
P = 5 kips

FS = 2.5

Pcr 12500 lbs

0.35b b
A

2E

2
Le r

2 10.1 106 psi

138.6 b 2

12500 lbs 2 10.1 106 psi

0.35b b
138.6 b 2

b 1.620 in.
a 0.35b 0.567 in.

a/b = 0.35
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ME 222 Mechanics of Deformable Solids

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