REPORT TYPE: FORMAL / INFORMAL REPORT (*)

COURSE/SECTION: 2 DMC/1
NAME MATRIC NO. GROUP:
NORAIMAN HAKIM BIN MAHIME D041510127 A6

SESSION / SEMESTER: 2016-17/2

DATE OF EXPERIMENT: 16 MAY 2017
EXPERIMENT TITLE: STRUT BUCKLING
LECTURER: DR. MOHD AHADLIN BIN MOHD DAUD
CODE & SUBJECT: DMCS 3333
FOR LABORATORY USE ONLY
RECEIVED DATE: LAB APPROVAL
RECEIVER’S INITIALS:
EVALUATION
INFORMAL REPORT FORMAL REPORT
MAR MAR
K K
DATA & RESULT (2 MARKS) REPORT STRUCTURE/FORMAT (1 MARKS)

ANALYSIS & DISCUSSION (2 MARKS) OBJECTIVE (1MARKS)

CONCLUSION (1 MARKS) INTRODUCTION & THEORY (4 MARKS)
TOTAL (5 MARKS) PROCEDURE & APARATUS (2 MARKS)
COMMENT: DATA & RESULT (8 MARKS)
ANALYSIS & DISCUSSION (8 MARKS)
CONCLUSION (4 MARKS)
REFERENCES (2 MARKS)
TOTAL (30 MARKS)
NORAIMAN HAKIM BIN MAHIME / D041510127 Title: Strut Buckling

Objective:

-To observe and determine the buckling behavior and critical buckling load for a:

a) Pinned end strut

b) Fixed end strut

Theory

Consider a simply-supported strut with length L and flexural rigidity EI loaded axially with a
force P (Figure 1). At buckling it assumes a profile (or buckling mode y(x)), where at x we have
a bending moment M and displacement y , introduced by the mode shape eccentricity,

M = - Py (1)

Bending theory states that M=EI  curvature, which from linear bending theory can be written:

d2y
M = EI
dx 2 (2)

Combining equation (1) and (2) we obtain the differential equation:

d2y
EI + Py = 0
dx 2 (3)

Rewriting this in the form:

d2y P
+ y=0
dx 2 EI (4)

gives the form of the equation for a free undamped oscillator, or the equation for simple
harmonic motion. It is useful to differentiate this equation twice
P with respect to x so that two
boundary conditions can be applied at each support.
L
x
Figure 1 A simply-supported strut
 d4y P d2y
+ =0
dx 4 EI dx 2 (5)

The solution of this equation has the form:

y ( x ) = A sin wx + B cos wx + Cx + D

where A, B, C and D are constants dependent on the boundary conditions of the strut and w is
defined:

P
w=
EI (6)

In the case shown in Figure 1.

y ( 0 ) = y '' ( 0 ) = 0 � B = D = 0
(7)

y ( L ) = y '' ( L ) = 0 � C = 0, A sin w L = 0
(8)

where primes denote differentiation with respect to x, a nontrivial solution (A0), is given by:

sin w L = 0 � w L = 0,p ,2p ,..., np , where: n=1,2,3,4,5 (9)

Unless the strut is restrained somewhere the lowest value of P (n=1) is the practical value for the
buckling or Euler’s load (PE).

p 2 EI
PE =
L2 (10)

In reality the equilibrium paths are not flat, they exhibit a stable-symmetric profile. However,
this stable nature is not significant until deflections get very large, so they are assumed to be flat
and the critical load is a fair estimate of the failure load when strut buckle.

We could consider any boundary condition combination by obtaining a solution of y(x).

However, there is a more intuitive way of analyzing different cases using the concept of Effective
Length (Le). Common cases follow, the adjusted Euler loads take account of the effective lengths
thus:

p 2 EI
PE =
Le 2 (11)
where Le is the effective length of column and varies depend on end conditions. The effective
lengths corresponding to the simple support ends and fixed both ends are shown in Figure 2

a) Simple supports both ends:

b) Fixed both ends:

Figure 2 Effective length of column (a) Simple supports both ends (b) Fixed both ends

EQUIPMENT & SPECIMEN

1. Strut apparatus SM105.
2. Aluminum strut (20 mm x 5 mm x 750 mm)
3. Brass strut (20 mm x 5 mm x 750 mm)

PROCEDURES

1. Measure and record the average width and depth of the strut cross section. Then calculate
the second moment of area (I) of the cross section.
2. Prepare the strut apparatus to test the aluminum strut with pinned-ends.
3. Ensure that the clamps of the specimen holder are tightened.
4. Select the required strut and adjust the rear cross member beam to the correct position and
insert the dowel pins.
5. Turn the dial gauge so that the stem does not impede the insert of the strut.
6. Examine the strut carefully and straighten it if necessary. Insert the strut ends in the ‘V’
grooves of the specimen holders. The edge of the strut will rest against the stops at the
bottom of the holders. It may be necessary to unscrew the loading knob to reduce the load to
zero after the strut is inserted.
7. Adjust the position of the central cross member so that the dial gauge foot (ball end) rest on
the centre-line of the strut mid-span.
8. Apply a load to the strut and ensure that the deflection is away from the dial gauge. If
deflection is towards the dial gauge, remove the load, turn the strut over and reload to give a
central deflection of about 8 mm (800 divisions).
9. Reduce the load to zero and adjust the bezel of the dial gauge to indicate zero. Tap the dial
gauge stem gently and check the zeros.
10. Apply load by increments, tapping the dial gauge stem very gently whilst applying the load
and record the the load and dial gauge reading for each increment of load in the table 1b.
11. Repeat the above procedure for clamped-ends condition with insert the struct in between the
clamp plates.

EXPERIMENTAL DATA AND RESULTS

Table 1a: Data of Aluminum strut

Width ,b: 19 mm I:197.9 m4

Depth ,d: 5 mm E:69 x 109 N/m2

Length ,L: 750 mm

Table 1 b: Pinned-ends condition (Aluminum strut)

Load , P Mid-Span Deflection, δ

(N)
div mm
10 0 0
20 0 0.07
30 0 0.14
40 0 0.31
50 0 0.42
60 0 0.58
70 1 0.77
80 1 0.99
90 2 0.20
100 2 0.63
110 3 0.08
120 3 0.67
130 4 0.50
140 5 0.3
 150 9 0.74

Deflection Deflection / Load

(mm) (mm / N)
0 0
0.07 0.0035
0.14 0.0047
0.31 0.0078
0.42 0.0084
0.58 0.0096
1.77 0.025
1.99 0.025
2.2 0.024
2.63 0.026
3.08 0.028
3.67 0.031
4.5 0.035
5.3 0.038
9.74 0.065

Table 1 c: Fixed-ends condition (Aluminum strut)

Load, P Mid-Span Deflection, δ
(N)
div mm
100 0 0.1
150 0 0.1
200 0 0.03
250 0 0.07
300 0 0.15
350 0 0.25
400 0.5 0.5
450 0.5 0.73
500 1.0 0.89
550 2 0.24
600 3 0.04
650 4 0.38
700 7 0.52
 Deflection Deflection / Load
(mm) (mm / N)
0.01 0.0001
0.01 0.000067
0.03 0.00015
0.07 0.00028
0.15 0.0005
0.25 0.00071
1 0.0025
1.23 0.0027
1.89 0.0037
2.24 0.0041
3.04 0.0051
4.38 0.0067
7.52 0.011

Table 2 a: Data of Brass Strut

Width, b : 19 mm I: 197.9 m4

Depth, d : 5 mm E:105 x 109 N/m2

Length, L : 748 mm

Table 2b: Pinned-ends condition (Brass strut)

Load, P Mid-Span Deflection, δ
(N)

div mm
20 0 0.24
40 0 0.42
60 0.5 0.75
80 1 0.19
100 2 0.81
120 3 0.49
140 3 0.34
160 5 0.94
180 6.5 0.31
200 9 0.86
220 13.5 0.17
 Deflectio Deflection /
n (mm) Load (mm / N)
0.24 0.012
0.62 0.016
1.2 0.02
1.79 0.022
2.4 0.024
3 0.025
3.84 0.027
5.44 0.034
6.81 0.038
9.86 0.049
13.67 0.062

Table 2 c: Fixed-ends condition (Brass strut)

Load, P Mid-Span Deflection, δ

(N)
div mm
100 0 0.08
200 0 0.20
300 0 0.42
400 0 0.76
500 0 0.94
600 1 0.30
700 2 0.04
800 3 0.73
900 5.5 0.01
1000 11 0.38

Deflection Deflection /
(mm) Load (mm / N)
0.08 0.0008
0.2 0.001
0.42 0.0014
0.76 0.0019
0.94 0.002
1.3 0.0022
2.04 0.0029
3.73 0.0047
5.51 0.0061
11.38 0.0114
1. Plot the graph of load (N) versus deflection (mm) for:

a. Aluminum strut (pinned and fixed end conditions)

Pinned-end Condition
160

140

120

100
Load, P (N)

80 Aluminum

60

40

20

0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12

Deflection (mm)
 Fixed-end Condition
800

700

600

500
Load, P (N)

400 Aluminum

300

200

100

0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Deflection (mm)

b. Brass strut (pinned and fixed end conditions)

 Pinned-end Condition
250

200

150
Load, P (N)

Brass
100

50

0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
Deflection (mm)
 Fixed-end Condition
1200

1000

800
Load, P (N)

600 Brass

400

200

0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
Deflection (mm)

2. From each graph, determine the experimental value of Euler’s buckling load.
 Pinned-end Condition
12

10

8 f(x) = 150.53x - 0.89

R² = 0.95
Deflection (mm)

Aluminum
6
Linear (Aluminum)

0
0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.07
Deflection / Load (mm / N)
 Fixed-end Condition
8

7 f(x) = 677.44x - 0.28

R² = 0.99
6

5
Deflection (mm)

Aluminum
4
Linear (Aluminum)
3

0
0 0 0 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01
Deflection / Load (mm / N)
 Pinned-end Condition
16

14
f(x) = 281.77x - 3.98
12 R² = 0.99
10
Deflection (mm)

Brass
8
Linear (Brass)
6

0
0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.07
Deflection / Load (mm / N)
 Fixed-end Condition
12

f(x) = 1081.39x - 1.08

10 R² = 1

8
Deflection (mm)

Brass
6
Linear (Brass)

0
0 0 0 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01
Deflection / Load(mm / N)
3 By using equation (11), calculate the theoretical buckling load for each strut to be compared
with the experimental results defined previously. Compute the percentage of differences and
show in a table (say Table 3) all these results for discussion purpose.

1. Aluminium Strut:
I = bd3 / 12
= (19) (5)3 / 12
= 197.9 mm4
= 197.9 x 10-12 m4

 Pinned-end condition
p 2 EI
PE =
Le 2
P = p2 ( 69 x 109) (197.9 x 10-12) / 0.752
= 239.6 N
 Fixed-end condition
p 2 EI
PE =
Le 2
P = p2 ( 69 x 109) (197.9 x 10-12) / 0.3752
= 958.4 N

Brass Strut:
I = bd3 / 12
= (19) (5)3 / 12
= 197.9 mm4
= 197.9 x 10-12 m4

 Pinned-end condition
p 2 EI
PE =
Le 2
P = p2 ( 105 x 109) (197.9 x 10-12) / 0.7482
= 366.5 N
 Fixed-end condition
p 2 EI
PE =
Le 2
P = p2 ( 105 x 109) (197.9 x 10-12) / 0.3742
= 1466.2 N

Strut Theoretical Experiment Percentage Error

(N) (N)
(%)
Aluminum pinned- 239.6 150.5 37.2
end condition
Aluminum fixed- 959.4 677.4 29.4
 end condition
Brass pinned-end 336.5 281.8 16.3
condition
Brass fixed-end 1466.2 1081.4 26.2
condition

DISCUSSION

Based on the experimental and theoretical results gives your comments on the strut buckling
behaviour as observed in this work. Comment on its deviation from the ‘idealised’ buckling
behaviour of the slender strut / column.

From Euler’s Formula, we can determine the critical value of the load P, the value P cr of the load
for which the position ceases to be stable. If P > P cr, the slightest misalignment or disturbance
will cause the column to buckle. From the experiment, the Euler’s Load of the aluminum pinned
end strut condition is 150.5 N while from theoretical value is 239.6 N with the error of 37.2%.
Then, for the fix end condition the Euler’s Load from the experiment is 677.4 N while from the
theoretical value it shows 959.4 N with the error of 29.4%. For the Brass pinned-end condition
strut, the Theoretical value of Euler’s load is 336.5 N while from the experimental result it is
281.8 N with the error of 16.3%. Then for the fixed-end condition, the result of the Euler’s Load
from the experiment is 1081.4 N while from theoretical calculation the Euler’s load is 1466.2 N
and the percentage error is 26.2%.

Discuss any possible source of errors that may have affected the outcomes of this experimental
work.

There are many errors that can affect the experimental work. This may be mostly caused by
human errors. For example, the strut may have already bent slightly due to the same strut
specimen has been used by many times and it caused it to stay in bending position. This will
affect the accuracy of the experimental results. Next, it may also have been caused by systematic
errors, a slight touch on the table or winds will also cause the readings to be inaccurate as the
gauge is very sensitive. To improve the accuracy of the results, the reading should be repeated
several times and the average were calculated to get the accurate reading. The joint for each
segments must be tighten such as the screws to avoid errors.

QUESTIONS

1. “The end conditions of long struts play a dominant role in their load bearing capacity”.
Discuss this statement giving examples of the critical buckling load for struts with various
end conditions.
Based on the statement, end conditions of long struts effected load bearing capacity. The fixed-
end is much stronger and have more load bearing capacity than the pinned-end. Critical
buckling load for struts is different based on their end conditions. For buckling load of pinned-
end, aluminum strut show reading of 150.5 while brass strut is 281.8. For buckling load of
fixed-end, aluminum strut shows reading of 677.4 while brass strut is 1081.4. This experiment
shows a fixed-end conditions affected the load for the struts to buckle.
2. Explain briefly with the help of relevant diagram, the effect of ‘eccentricity’ of the end
centric load on the behaviour of ‘pinned end’ strut. Indicate how this will modify the
‘maximum stress’ that will cause such strut to buckle or fail?

Based on the diagram above, measure y from the line of action of the load and let ‘e' be the
eccentricity of the applied end load. By applying an eccentric load, the strut will deflect. The
critical value will be affected too. But, due to additional bending moment set up by deflection,
the strut will always fail by compressive stress before Euler load is reached. So, with this
situation, the maximum stress can be modified so it will cause such the strut to buckle or fail.

3. How the test results would be affected, if the cross-sectional area of the test strut is not
uniform or constant? Does this invalidate or contradict with the basic assumptions of the
Euler’s buckling theory? Justify / support your arguments with the relevant calculation or
diagram.

Based on the Euler’s buckling formula the cross-sectional area of the test strut will
p 2 EI
PE =
affect the results of the formula. This is because the Euler’s buckling formula L2 stated
P
where σ = ɛE, thus, we know that σ = , the cross-sectional area will affect the strut stress
A
and its young modulus, E. In order for the results to be accurate and precise, the cross-sectional
area must be uniform. If it is not, then, the test would be affected.

CONCLUSION
Based from the experiment of Buckling of Strut, we can conclude that equilibrium of a simple
model and found that for values of the load P exceeding a certain value Pcr, called the critical
load, two equilibrium positions of the model were possible: the original position with zero
transverse deflections and a second position involving deflections that could be quite large. This
led us to conclude that the first equilibrium position was unstable for P > Pcr, and stable for P <
Pcr, since in the latter case it was the only possible equilibrium position.

REFERENCES

 Jones, R. M. (2006). Buckling of bars, plates, and shells. Blacksburg, Va, Bull Ridge
Publishing.
 Ptumech.loremate.com (n.d.) Chapter 7 : Columns and Struts | Strength of Materials -
Part 1. [online] Available at: http://ptumech.loremate.com/som1/node/9 [Accessed: 7 Mar
2013].
 http://sauravsahgal1995.blogspot.my/2014/11/moment-of-inertia.html