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Course 10

BUKLING
10.1. Introduction
Structural members that carry compressive loads can be divided into two types depending
on their relative lengths and cross-sectional dimensions:
a) short and thick members, defined as columns that usually fail by crushing when the
yield stress of the material in compression is exceeded;
b) long and slender columns or struts that fail by buckling some time before the yield
stress in compression is reached.
The buckling occurs owing to one or more of the following reasons:
(a) the strut may not be perfectly straight initially;
(b) the load may not be applied exactly along the axis of the strut;
(c) one part of the material may yield in compression more readily than others owing to
some lack of uniformity in the material properties throughout the strut.
At the buckling load the strut is said to be in a state of neutral equilibrium, and
theoretically it should then be possible to gently deflect the strut into a simple sine wave provided
that the amplitude of the wave is kept small. This can be demonstrated quite simply using long thin
strips of metal, e.g. a metal rule, and gentle application of compressive loads.
Theoretically, it is possible for struts to achieve a condition of unstable equilibrium with
loads exceeding the buckling load, any slight lateral disturbance then causing failure by buckling;
this condition is never achieved in practice under static load conditions.
Buckling occurs immediately at the point where the buckling load is reached owing to
the reasons stated earlier.
The above comments and the contents of this chapter refer to the elastic stability of struts
only. It must also be remembered that struts can also fail plastically, and in this case the failure is
irreversible.
When the axial force reach the critical force of buckling PCR then the strut loss the stable
equilibrium. To critical buckling force corresponds a critical buckling stress:

CR

PCR
,
A

where A is the cross section area.

At values of load P below the buckling load a strut will be in stable equilibrium where the
displacement caused by any lateral disturbance will be totally recovered when the disturbance is
removed. Between the two forces can be written the following relationship:

P
1

PCR
,
cb

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TRANSILVANIA UNIVERSITY OF BRASOV

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where cb is the safety buckling coefficient cb 1 .

There are two types of equilibrium:
a) stable equilibrium, when P PCR ;
b) unstable equilibrium, when P PCR .

10.2. Eulers theory

Consider the axially loaded strut shown in Figure 10.1 subjected to the crippling load Pc ,
producing a deflection v at a distance x from one end. Assume that the ends are either pin-jointed or
rounded so that there is no moment at either end. It is assumed that it is in the displaced state of
neutral equilibrium associated with buckling so that the compressive axial load has reached the
value PCR .

PCR

PCR
v

x
l
v
Figure 10.1
The cross section of the beam is constant and then, the stiffness modulus EI const. The
bending moments developed at a considered distance x, referred to the axes Oxv, are positive and equal
with:

M b PCR v ,

(10.1)

and the differential equation of the deformed medium axe is:

M
d 2v
b .
2
EI
dx

(10.2)

If is introduced relationship (10.1) in (10.2) one can obtain the differential equation:

d 2 v PCR v

0,
EI
dx 2
or,
2

(10.3)

d 2v
v 0
dx 2
STRENGTH OF MATERIALS - PART II

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TRANSILVANIA UNIVERSITY OF BRASOV

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where:

PCR
.
EI
The solution of the equation (10.4) is obtained by integration and is:

v A sin x B cos x ,

(10.4)

(10.5)

where A and B are constants that can be found out from boundary conditions:
x 0 v 0;

x l v 0.

(10.6)

Considering the above boundary conditions, one can obtain the following values of the
constant quantities A and B:

from the first condition in (10.6)

(10.7)
B 0;
from the second condition in (10.6)
(10.8)
A sin l 0 .
The value of constant A must be different of zero A 0 otherwise there is no buckling. So
results that it is necessary to have the condition:

sin l 0 ,
l n ,

(10.9)
(10.10)

that leads to:

where n is a positive integer number.
Considering both relationships (10.4) and (10.10) results the crippling critical force as:

PCR

n 2 2 EI

.
l2

(10.11)

For the situation described in Figure 10.1, the value of integer is n 1 . The other solutions
n 2, 3, 4, ... leads to greater values of crippling force that are not achieved after the struts reach
the first critical force PCR .

STRENGTH OF MATERIALS - PART II

Prof.dr.ing. Ioan Calin ROSCA

TRANSILVANIA UNIVERSITY OF BRASOV

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Observation:
The higher values of buckling load
correspond to more complex buckling modes.
Theoretically these different modes could be
produced by applying external restraints to a
slender column at the points of contraflexure to
prevent lateral movement (Figure 10.2).
However, in practice, the lowest value is never
exceeded since high stresses develop at this load
and failure of the column ensues. We are not
therefore concerned with buckling loads higher
than this.
In case of identical boundary conditions
around all cross section central axes then it has
to be considered the minimum axial central
moment because the buckling is done around the
central axe.
So, the Eulers relationship becomes:
PCR

PCR

l/2

l/2

PCR

l/3

l/3

l/3

Figure 10.2

2 EI min
l2

(10.12)

In the fundamental case, the buckling state corresponds to a half wave, having the length
approximate equal with the struts.
Definition:
The length that corresponds to a halfwave (the distance between two consecutive inflexion
points of the buckling state) is called buckling length (equivalent length).
The above presented case is called the fundamental case because the equivalent length is
equal with the struts length:
le l .

(10.13)

10.3. Buckling load for a column with one end fixed and one end free
In this configuration the upper end of the column is free to move laterally and also to rotate as
shown in Figure 10.3. At any section x the bending moment M b is given by (10.1):
M b PCR v ,
and the differential equation of the deformed medium axe is (10.2):
M
d 2v
b .
2
EI
dx

STRENGTH OF MATERIALS - PART II

Prof.dr.ing. Ioan Calin ROSCA

TRANSILVANIA UNIVERSITY OF BRASOV

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PCR
x
v
x
l
le
v
Figure 10.3
If is introduced relationship (10.1) in (10.2) one can obtain the differential equation (10.3):

d 2 v PCR v

0,
EI
dx 2
or,

d 2v
v 0
dx 2

The solution of the equation is obtained by integration and is:

v A sin x B cos x ,
where A and B are constants that can be found out from boundary conditions:
x 0 v 0;

dv

x l dx 0.

(10.14)

Considering the above boundary conditions, one can obtain the following values of the
constant quantities A and B:

from the first condition in (10.14)

from the second condition in (10.14)

B 0;
A cos l 0 .

(10.15)
(10.16)

The value of constant A must be different of zero A 0 otherwise there is no buckling. So

results that it is necessary to have the condition:

cos l 0 ,
5

STRENGTH OF MATERIALS - PART II

(10.17)
Prof.dr.ing. Ioan Calin ROSCA

TRANSILVANIA UNIVERSITY OF BRASOV

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that leads to:

2n 1
2

(10.18)

where n is a positive integer number.

Considering both relationships (10.4) and (10.18) results the crippling critical force, for
n 1 , as:
PCR

2 EI
4l 2

(10.19)

In this case the equivalent length is: le 2l .

(10.20)

10.4. Buckling of a column with one end fixed, the other pinned
It is considered the strut from Figure 10.4. In this case, the equivalent length is equal with:

le 0.7l ,

(10.21)

and the crippling force, given by (10.12) becomes:

PCR

2 2 EI

.
l2

(10.22)

PCR
0,5le

le
l
Figure 10.4

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TRANSILVANIA UNIVERSITY OF BRASOV

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PCR

0,5le

0,5le

0,5le

0,5le

l
Figure 10.5

10.5. Buckling load for a column with fixed ends

In practice, columns usually have their ends restrained against rotation so that they are, in
effect, fixed. Figure 10.5 shows a column having its ends fixed and subjected to an axial
compressive load that has reached the critical value, PCR , so that the column is in a state of neutral
equilibrium. In this case the ends of the column are subjected to fixing moments, M , in addition to
axial load.
The equivalent length is:
le

PCR

and the crippling force is:

1
l,
2
4 2 EI

.
l2

(10.23)
(10.24)

10.6. Conclusion
Comparing the values of crippling forces and equivalent lengths can be done the following
table (Table 10.1).
Table 10.1
Case

Quantity
Crippling force
Equivalent length
7

I
PCR

II

EI min
2

l
le l

PCR

EI
2

4l 2
le 2l

STRENGTH OF MATERIALS - PART II

III
2 2 EI
PCR
l2
le 0.7l

IV
4 2 EI
PCR
l2
1
le l
2

Prof.dr.ing. Ioan Calin ROSCA

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Comparing the crippling force values for all four cases one can conclude that:
PCR I PCR, II PCR. III PCR, IV .

The relationship of Euler can be generalised as:

I
PCR 2 E 2
le

.
min

(10.25)

10.7. Limitations of the Euler theory

For a column of cross-sectional area A the critical stress, CR , from equation (10.25) results:
2

CR

i
P
2E I
2E
2 2 E 2 ,
CR
A
A l e min
l e min min

where:

le
,
i

(10.26)

(10.27)

is defined as slenderness ratio, and i is is the radius of gyration of the cross-section.

Clearly if the column is long and slender l e i is large and CR is small; conversely, for a
short column having a comparatively large area of cross-section, l e i is small and CR is high.
The maximum value of the for slenderness ratio for a given cross section is:
l
le
e .
i max imin

max

(10.28)

A graph of CR against l e i for a particular material has the form shown in Figure 10.5. For
values of l e i less than some particular value, which depends upon the material, a column will fail
in compression rather than by buckling so that CR as predicted by the Euler theory is no longer
valid. Thus in Figure 10.6 the actual failure stress follows the dotted curve rather than the full line.

STRENGTH OF MATERIALS - PART II

Prof.dr.ing. Ioan Calin ROSCA

TRANSILVANIA UNIVERSITY OF BRASOV

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING FACULTY
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From relationship (10.26) one can conclude

that the critical stress depends on both
material type (by Youngs modulus E) and
slenderness ratio.
The Eulers relationship is valid only
if the deformation is done in the elastically
domain (the Hookes law is valid).
The Eulers relationship can be used only if
the critical stress is smaller that the stress
that corresponds to the proportionately limit
of the material p :

cr
Eulers theory
Actual failure stress

le /i
Figure 10.6

CR

2 E
p.
2max

(10.29)

Based on relationship (10.29) one can calculate the slenderness ratio 0 that bound the
Eulers relationship validity domain:

max 0

2E
.
p

(10.30)

There are defined two cases:

a) max 0 , then the buckling is defined as an elastic one. The buckling is done based
on Eulers relationship;
b) max 0 , then the buckling is done in the plastic domain and the Eulers
relationship is not a valid one.
The buckling calculus in the plastic domain is done using some different relationships that
were developed by different scientists (F. Iasinski, L. Tetmajer, M. Rankine, J. B. Johnson, etc.).
Generally these relationships have the following forms:
CR a b ;

2
CR A B C ,

(10.31)

where a, b, A, B, C are constant values that depend on the material.

In Figure 10.7 is shown the resume of the critical crippling stress CR domains.

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CR
y
yield stress

Right line of Tetmajer, Iasinski

Eulerss parabola

proportional
stress

all
allowed
stress

Pure
compression

CR

Plastic
buckling
Elastic buckling

Figure 10.7

10.8. Problems solving procedure

The buckling problems are focused on verification and dimensioning.
Verification problems it is checked if the buckling safety factor cb is greater than the prescript
one cbp .
It is checked the buckling domain (elastic or plastic). So, is calculate the slenderness ratio
and can be two situations:
I
a) 0 , when is used the Eulers relationship PCR 2 E 2 and the strut is a stable
l e min
P
one if cb CR cbp ;
P
b) 1 0 , when are used the relationships (10.31), the crippling force is PCR CR A
P
and it is necessary to verify the condition cb CR cbp ;
P
c) 0 1 , is the case of the compression problems.
Dimensioning problems
Step 1 - from the beginning it is considered that the buckling is done in the elastic domain. So, first
is calculate the second moment:
I ned

10

PCR l e2 cb
.
2E

STRENGTH OF MATERIALS - PART II

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TRANSILVANIA UNIVERSITY OF BRASOV

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Step 2 there are chose the cross sectional dimensions and is calculate the slenderness ratio .
Step 3 it is compared the slenderness ratio with 0 . There are the following situations:
a) 0 , the buckling phenomenon is in the elastic domain and the dimensioning problem
is considered to be finished and can be used the cross sectional obtained dimensions;
b) 1 0 , it is necessary to be checked the safety coefficient (comparison with the
prescript safety coefficient). If cb cbp than it is necessary to amplify the cross section
dimensions till the safety condition is fulfilled;
c) 0 1 , the calculation is done for compression problems.

10.10. The method of allowed stress

This method is used mainly for verification problems and for finding the allowed force PCR .
According with this method the stability condition is:
PCR
b,all ,
A

(10.32)

b, all all ,

(10.33)

where the buckling allowed stress b, all is:

is the buckling coefficient, and all is the allowed stress of the material.
The buckling coefficient depends on the material and is given in a tabular shape.

11

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Prof.dr.ing. Ioan Calin ROSCA