CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT, I.I.T.

, KHARAGPUR
Assignment -12
Sub. No.CE6004
Sub. Stability of Structures
M.Tech(I) & Dual degree
Q.1. Consider a simply supported beam being acted upon by the compressive force P as shown in
Fig. 2. Let EI be constant. Assuming that there is no axial shortening of the beam, the non-linear
ordinary differential equation (ODE) to determine is given by:
P

s
y

Fig.1

d 2 P

sin 0
ds 2 EI

(i)
(ii)

What are the boundary conditions in terms of ? Are they kinematic or natural?
s
2s
~
. Does this expression satisfy the boundary conditions?
Let 1 cos 2 cos
L
L
Using this approximate expression for , derive two algebraic equations for 1 and
2 in terms of ( P / EI ) via Galerkin's method.

Q. 2 Determine the critical buckling load of the continuous beam shown in Fig.2. Plot the

corresponding mode shapes. The concentrated load is acting at a distance of 3m from middle
support. Take, E = 200 GPa; I =4x 106 mm4 for both the beams.
Fig. 2
10kN

6m

4m

Q. 3 Evaluate the critical buckling load the one-degree-freedom system shown in Fig.1 using (a)

the equilibrium approach (b) the energy approach and (c) the dynamic approach. Carry out the
above analysis assuming to be small. Also solve the above problem when is large using
any one of the above approaches.
P
Rigid bar

Frictionless ring.

Fig. 3

Q. 4 A (long) bolt is inserted into a tube with a clearance. Determine the bolt tightening force P
under which the system will lose its stability.
Hint: Analyze the tube as a long rod. Bending rigidity of the tube and bolt are EI.
LL

Fig. 4

Q. 5. A long elastic rod with pinned ends is inserted into a rigid channel with a clearance (see
Fig. 5). What stresses will occur in the rod and what will the deflection curve be, if the rod is
compressed by a force greater than the first critical load, i.e. greater than 2 EI / l 2 . Assume that
only in-plane bending is possible. The flexural rigidity of the rod is EI.

L
Fig. 5

Q. 6 Evaluate the buckling load of the frame shown in the Fig. 6. The flexural rigidity of all the
members is EI.
P

P
L,EI

L,EI
L,EI

Fig.6

Q.7 A slender elastic rod is installed in a vertical guide as shown in the figure 7. The lower end
of the rod is fixed in a moving plug supported by a spring having stiffness k (= P

).

As

compressive force P grows the length of the rods free part L decreases and the length of the
rods lower part increases. What value of stiffness k is necessary to prevent buckling of the rods
upper part as well as of the lower one while the rod moves down by value L.

L-

Fig.7

Q.8 Derive the expression for total potential energy for a simply supported I beam bent by a
concentrated load P at mid span as shown in Fig. 8 from lateral buckling considerations and
hence estimate the critical buckling load. Assume that the concentrated load is applied at the
centroid of cross-section and remains vertical as the beam buckles. The z-axis coincides with the
longitudinal centroidal axis of the member, while the x and y coordinates are taken along the
principal axes of cross section. The flexural and torsional boundary conditions corresponding to
simple supports are

uv

d 2u d 2 v

0
dz 2 dz 2

at z 0, L and

d 2
0 at z 0, L
dz 2

Where u and v are the displacements in the x and y directions and is the angle of twist about
z-axis. The condition

d 2
0 indicates that the section is free to warp at supports.
dz 2
P

Fig.8

Q.9 Evaluate the critical loads of the frames shown in Fig. 9 assuming axial inextensibility for
beams and columns.
P

P
EI
L

EI
Fig. 9(a)
L

Fig. 9(b)
1.5L