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
EI 2 + Pv=0
dx

The solution of this inferential equation is

P P
V= c 1 sin
√ EI
x + c 2 cos
√ EI
x

Where the constant of intergration, c 1 and c 2, are determine from the end continuous:
v(0)=v(L)=0. From v(0)=0, we find that c 2=0. Substituting the second condition into equation
above, we obtain:

P
c 1 sin
√ EI
L=0

It must be concluded that either c 1=0 , in which case v=0 for all x and the column remains
P
straight regardless of load, or sin
EI√ L=0 . The case c 1=0 corresponding to the condition of
no buckling and yields a trivial solution. It is satisfied if

P
√ EI
L=nπ 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

n2 π 2 EI
( Pcr )n =
L2

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

π 2 EI
Pcr =
L2

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

The digital indicator is switched on and warmed up for at least 10 minutes.

1

A specimen is chosen, and its length is measured. The width and thickness of the beam
2 are 3mm and 25mm respectively.

The theoritical buckling load for a strut with pinned end condition is calculated. This is
3 to ensure that the load applied to the strut does not exceed the buckling load.

The groove support is placed into the slot of the attachment for the end conditions and
4 the side screws are tightened.

The top platen is moved upwards or downwards to bring the distance between the two
5 supports closer to the length of th strut.

The tare button on the digital indicator is pressed to set the reading to zero.
6

The specimen is placed in the groove of the top support.

7

While holding the specimen, the jack is adjusted so the the end lower of the specimen
8 rest in the groove of bottom support.

The reading on the digital indicator is noted. If the load is greater than 10N, the jack
9 handle is turned counter clockwise to bring it to less than 10N.

The position of the dial gauge is checked to ensure that it is at the mid-length of the
10 specimen. The dial gauge reading is set to zero.

The tare button is pressed to set the load indicator to zero.

11

The specimen is loaded in small inrements by turning the screw jack handle slowly in
12 the cloakwise direction.

For each load increment, the load and the corresponding mid-span deflection are
13 recorded.

The specimen is unloaded by turning the screw jack handle counter clockwise direction.
14

Procedures 1 to 14 are repeated for pinned to fixed and fixed to fixed ends of the
15 specimens and the tables are filled with data.