BUCKLING OF COLUMNS

IDEAL COLUMN WITH PIN SUPPORTS

Consider a pivot-ended column centrically loaded by axial

P COLUMN - a straight structural member subjected to compressive force P.
compressive axial loads.

Failure Modes of a Column: P P P

1. Crushing Failure
2. Buckling Failure y y

Buckling x x
• Sudden large deformation of a structure due to a
slight increase of an existing load.
P y M
• Failure due to instability of the member.
L
Types of Column: y P
1. Short Column (Crushing failure governs)
2. Long Column (Buckling failure governs)
P Pcr

P Pyp = σ ypA
P

The differential equation for the elastic curve is given by,

d2 y
EI =M
dx 2
Summing moments,
M = −Py
P Pyp
P Pcr Substituting,
d2 y
Crushing Failure of a Buckling Failure of a EI 2 = −Py
Short Column Long Column dx
d2 y & P #
Pcr - critical buckling load + $ !y = 0
- Minimum axial compressive load for which a column will dx 2 % EI "
experience lateral deflection.
 &P# n2 π2EI
D2 y + $ ! y = 0 P= → n = 1,2,3...
% EI " L2
&P#
m2 + $ ! = 0 The smallest value of P is obtained when n = 1, so the
% EI " critical load for the column is therefore,
Solving for m,

m=±
P
i π 2EI
EI Pcr = 2
The general solution is
L
P P
y = C1 cos x + C 2 sin x where Pcr - critical buckling load for columns with pin supports
EI EI E - modulus of elasticity for the material
I - least moment of inertia about the bending axis
Boundary Conditions: L - unsupported length of column (sine wave)
(1) at x = 0, y = 0
(2) at x = L, y = 0 NOTE:
Substitute boundary condition (1) to the general solution, 1. The critical load is independent of the strength of the material;
0 = C1 cos 0 + C2 sin 0 rather it depends only on the column's dimensions (I and L)
and the material's stiffness or E.
⇒ C1 = 0 2. The load carrying capacity of a column will increase as the
Substitute boundary condition (2) to the general solution, moment of inertia of the cross section increases.
3. A column will buckle about the principal axis of the cross
P
0 = C2 sin L section having the least moment of inertia (weakest axis).
EI
P
This is true if C2 = 0 or sin L=0 x y

EI x
y
Since C2 can not be zero, therefore,
P
sin L=0
EI
which is satisfied if,
P
L = nπ
EI
Solving for P,
 Letting I = Ar2
where A - cross sectional area COLUMNS HAVING VARIOUS TYPES OF SUPPORTS
r - radius of gyration

Buckling Formula becomes, • Euler buckling formula applies to column where ends
2 have zero moment.
π EA
π2EAr 2 Pcr =
Pcr = &L#
2
L2 $ ! P P P P
%r"
where L/r - slenderness ratio.
Pcr π2E
=
A & L #2 Le = 0.7L
L
$ ! L = Le
L Le = 0.5L L
%r "
π 2E
σ cr = 2 Le = 2L
&L#
$ !
%r "
Pinned Ends Fixed Ends Pinned and
Fixed Ends
where σ cr - critical buckling stress K=1 K = 0.5
K = 0.7
L/r - slenderness ratio

NOTE:
1. If σ cr > σ yp, failure by crushing governs.
If σ cr < σ yp, failure by buckling governs.
Fixed and Free Ends
P K=2
σ yp = where σ yp = stress at yield point
A
L &L# π2E
2. If 〈$ ! π 2EI σcr =
r % r " min , failure by crushing governs. Pcr = 2 & KL #
2

L &L#
(KL) $ !
If 〉$ ! % r "
r % r "min , failure by buckling governs.
where Le - effective length
(L% E K - effective length factor
where & r #
=π
' $min σ yp KL/r - effective-slenderness ratio