Column Analysis:

Definition
A structural member subjected to an axial compressive fore is called strut. As per definition
strut may be horizontal, inclined or even vertical. Vertical strut is called a column.
Columns are used as major elements in trusses, building frames, and sub-structure supports
for bridges (e.g. piers).
• Columns support compressive loads from roofs, floors, or bridge decks.
• Columns transmit the vertical forces to the foundations and into the subsoil.
• The loads applied to a column are only axial loads.
• Loads on columns are typically applied at the ends of the member, producing
axial compressive stresses.
• However, on occasion the loads acting on a column can include axial forces,
transverse forces, and bending moments (e.g. beam-columns).

Columns are defined by the length between support ends.

• Short columns (e.g. footing piers).
• Long columns (e.g. bridge and freeway piers).

Column slenderness and length greatly influence a column’s ability to carry load.
• Very short, stout columns fail by crushing due to material failure.
- Failure occurs once the stress exceeds the elastic (yield point) limit of the material.
• Long, slender columns fail by buckling – a function of the column’s dimensions and its
modulus of elasticity.
- Buckling is the sudden uncontrolled lateral displacement of a column at which point no
additional load can be supported.
- Failure occurs at a lower stress level than the column’s material strength due to buckling
(i.e. lateral instability).

Euler’s Buckling
The maximum load at which the column tends to have lateral displacement or tends to
buckle is known as buckling or crippling load.
The critical buckling load can be determined by the following equation:
where
Pe = critical axial load that causes buckling in the column
E = modulus of elasticity of the column material
Imin = smallest moment of inertia of the column cross-section
L = effective length of column
• As the column length increases, the critical load rapidly decreases (since it is proportional
to L2), approaching zero as a limit.
• The critical load at buckling is referred to as Euler’s critical buckling load.

Euler’s equation is valid only for long, slender columns that fail due to buckling.
• Euler’s equation contains no safety factors.
• Euler’s equation results in compressive stresses developed in columns that are well below
the elastic limit of the material.

Assumptions in the Euler’s theory

1. The column is initially straight.
2. The cross section is uniform throughout.
3. The ends of the column are frictionless.
4. The material is homogeneous and isotropic.
5. The self weight of the column is neglected.
6. The line of thrust coincides exactly with the axis of the column.
7. The shortening of column due to axial compression is negligible.
8. The column failure occurs due to buckling only.

A. For both end hinged:

n=1
B. For one end fixed and other free:

C. For both end fixed:

n=2,

D. For one end fixed and other hinged:

 Effective Length for different End conditions:

Modes of failure of Columns

Slenderness Ratio ( λ)

Slenderness ratio of a compression member is defined as the ratio of its effective

length to least radius of gyration.
The radius of gyration is a geometric property of a cross section
I = Ar2 and r = (I/A) 1/2
where
r = radius of gyration of the column cross section (in)
I = least (minimum) moment of inertia (in4 )
A = cross-sectional area of the column (in2 )

 A higher slenderness ratio means a lower critical stress that will cause
buckling.
 Conversely, a lower slenderness ratio results in a higher critical stress (but
still within the elastic range of the material).

Rankin’s Formula Example for Column Crushing/Buckling Load

It is an empirical formula used for the calculation of ultimate load both for short
and long columns. Rankin’s formula is also known as Rankin Gordon Formula. It
gives the ultimate load that column can bear before failure. If column is short,
calculated load will be known as crushing load. And load will be buckling or
crippling load, in case of long column.

This formula only gives the ultimate load, but columns are design on safe load. In
order to get safe load, divide ultimate load ( Load obtained from Rankin’s
Formula) with factor of safety (F.O.S).

RANKIN’S FORMULA
Mathematically, Rankin’s formula can be expressed as;

P = fcA1 + a(lk)2
Where,

P = Critical Load

fc = Critical Stress

A = Cross-sectional Area of Column

l =Equivalent or Effective Length of The Column

K = Least Radius of Gyration
a = Rankin’s Constant: It depends on the material of column.

For different materials, vale of “a” are as following;

For Mild Steel = a = 1/7500

For Cast Iron = a = 1/1600

For Wrought Iron = a = 1/9000

RANKIN’S FORMULA EXAMPLE

A column of a building looks not safe. CEO of a company hired civil engineer to
check whether the column is safe or not. Column is of mild steel whose length is 3
meters and both ends are fixed. Load coming on that column is 400 N. Critical
stress coming on that column is 320×10^2 Newton/meter square. Cross-section of
column can be shown below. Now, check whether column is safe or not?

GIVEN DATA
External diameter of a column = D = 24 cm

Internal diameter of a column = d = 20 cm

Length of column = L = 3m = 300 cm

Critical Stress = fc = 320 x 10^6 Newton / sq.meter = 32 KN/sq.meter

As column is of mild steel. Value of Rankin’s Constant;

a = 1/7500

REQUIRED
Critical Load = P = ?

SOLUTION
First, calculate the equivalent length (effective length);
 Equivalent Length

l = L/2 = 300/2
Equivalent Length = 150 cm

 Cross-section Area
A = π4(D2 − d2)
Put value of external and internal diameter.

A = π4(242 − 202)
A = 138.23 centimetre square

 Radius of Gyration
Radius of Gyration can be calculated by using formula;

K =IA−−√
Now, calculate the least moment of inertia. In the design of columns, least radius
of gyration is used. For that, take least value of moment of inertia.

Least moment of Inertia =I= π64(D4− d4)

Put the required values;

Least moment of Inertia =I= π64(244− 204)

I=8432.035 cm4
Now put values of I & A in least radius of gyration formula;

k =8432.035138.23−−−−−−√
K = 7.81 cm
 Crushing Load
Use Rankin’s Formula for the calculation of critical load;

P = fcA1 + a(lk)2
By placing values;

P = 32× 138.231 + (17500)(1507.81)2

Crushing Load = P = 4216 N