BUCKLING OF STRUTS

INTRODUCTION

Figure 1: Column with pinned ends

The bending moment at any section, M = -Pv, when inserted into the equation for the elastic
behavior of a beam, Elv = M, yields
d2 v
dx 2

EI

+ Pv=0

The solution of this inferential equation is

V=

c1

sin

Where the constant of intergration,

c1

v(0)=v(L)=0. From v(0)=0, we find that

equation above, we obtain:
c 1 sin

P
L=0
EI

P
x
EI

c2

and

c2

, are determine from the end continuous:

c2

cos

P
x
EI

=0. Substituting the second condition into

It must be concluded that either

c 1=0

, in which case v=0 for all x and the column remains

P
c =0
straight regardless of load, or sin EI L=0 . The case 1
corresponding to the
condition of no buckling and yields a trivial solution. It is satisfied if

P
L=n
EI

n=1,2,

The value of P ascertained from the question above, that is, the load for which the column
may be maintained in a deflected shape, is the critical load
2

(Pcr )n=

n EI
2
L

Where, L represents the original length of the column. Assume that column deflection is in no
way restricted to a particular plane, the deflection may be expected to occur about an axis
through the centroid for which the second moment of area is minimum. The lowest critical
load or Euler buckling load of the pin-ended column is of greatest interest; for n=1
Pcr =

2 EI
2
L

OBJECTIVE
To determine the critical load for a strut before it fails due to lateral deflection.

APPARATUS
1. Strut buckling apparatus
2. Measuring tape

PROCEDURES

 Procedures 1 to 14 are repeated for pinned to fxed and fxed to fxed

ends of the specimens and the tables are flled with data.
The specimen is unloaded by turning the screw jack handle counter
clockwise direction.
For each load increment, the load and the corresponding mid-span
defection are recorded.
The specimen is loaded in small inrements by turning the screw jack
handle slowly in the cloakwise direction.
The tare button is pressed to set the load indicator to zero.
The position of the dial gauge is checked to ensure that it is at the
mid-length of the specimen. The dial gauge reading is set to zero.
The reading on the digital indicator is noted. If the load is greater than
10N, the jack handle is turned counter clockwise to bring it to less
than 10N.
While holding the specimen, the jack is adjusted so the the end lower
of the specimen rest in the groove of bottom support.
The specimen is placed in the groove of the top support.
The tare button on the digital indicator is pressed to set the reading
to zero.
The top platen is moved upwards or downwards to bring the distance
between the two supports closer to the length of th strut.
The groove support is placed into the slot of the attachment for the
end conditions and the side screws are tightened.
The theoritical buckling load for a strut with pinned end condition is
calculated. This is to ensure that the load applied to the strut does not
exceed the buckling load.
A specimen is chosen, and its length is measured. The width and
thickness of the beam are 3mm and 25mm respectively.
The digital indicator is switched on and warmed up for at least 10
minutes.

15

14

13

12

11

10

6
5

4
3