M.

Vable Mechanics of Materials: Chapter 11

Stability of Columns

• Bending due to a compressive axial load is called Buckling.

• Structural members that support compressive axial loads are called Columns.
• Buckling is the study of stability of a structure’s equilibrium.

Learning objectives
• Develop an appreciation of the phenomena of buckling and the various types of
structure instabilities.
• Understand the development and use of buckling formulas in analysis and
design of structures.
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August 2014 11-1

 M. Vable Mechanics of Materials: Chapter 11

Buckling Phenomenon
Energy Approach
Unstable Equilibrium
Stable Equilibrium
Potential Energy is Minimum

Neutral Equilibrium

Bifurcation/Eigenvalue Problem
Lsinθ PL ⁄ K θ = θ ⁄ sin θ
P P

θ Unstable Unstable
(c)

Stable Stable
Kθθ
O O
R
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August 2014 11-2

 M. Vable Mechanics of Materials: Chapter 11

Snap Buckling Problem

θ = 0 o
0 < θ < 45
P P
Fs

Lsin(45-θ)
L
(45−θ) Fs
o
45

L cos(45-θ) P

P = ( cos ( 45 – θ ) – cos 45 ) tan ( 45 – θ )

---------- 0 < θ < 45
0
KL L
P 0
---------- = ( cos ( θ – 45 ) – cos 45 ) tan ( θ – 45 ) θ > 45
KL L

0
θ > 45
L cos(θ−45)
Fs
Lsin(θ−45)

(θ−45)
P
P
Fs
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August 2014 11-3

 M. Vable Mechanics of Materials: Chapter 11

Local Buckling

Axial Loads Torsional Loads

crinkling

Compressive
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August 2014 11-4

 M. Vable Mechanics of Materials: Chapter 11

C11.1 Linear deflection springs and torsional springs are attached to

rigid bars as shown.The springs can act in tension or compression and
resist rotation in either direction. Determine Pcr, the critical load value.
P
k = 8 lbs/in

30 in
k = 8 lbs/in

30 in
K = 2000 in-lbs/rads
O

Fig. C11.1
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August 2014 11-5

 M. Vable Mechanics of Materials: Chapter 11

Euler Buckling
y
Mz
x
P N=P
A L
v(x)

P A

Boundary Value Problem

2
Differential Equation: EI
d v + Pv = 0
2
dx
Boundary conditions: v ( 0 ) = 0 v(L) = 0

Solution
Trivial Solution: v = 0
Non-Trivial Solution: v ( x ) = A cos λx + B sin λx

P-
where: λ = -----
EI
Characteristic Equation: sin λL = 0

2 2
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π EI-
Pn = n
----------------- n = 1, 2, 3. ⋅ ⋅
2
L
2
π EI
Euler Buckling Load: P cr = ------------
2
L
• Buckling occurs about an axis that has a minimum value of I.

August 2014 11-6

 M. Vable Mechanics of Materials: Chapter 11

x
Buckling Mode: v = B sin ⎛ nπ ---⎞
⎝ L⎠
Mode shape 1
Pcr Pcr
2
L π EI
P cr = ------------
Pcr 2
L

Mode shape 2
Pcr Pcr
I
2
4π EI
L/2 L/2 P cr = ---------------
-
2
L
Pcr

Mode shape 3
Pcr I Pcr
I
2
9π EI
L/3 L/3 L/3 P cr = ---------------
-
2
Pcr L
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August 2014 11-7

 M. Vable Mechanics of Materials: Chapter 11

Effects of End Conditions

1. 2. 3.
4.
P P P
P
B B B
B

Case L L L
L
x x x
y x
y
A A A y
A
Pinned at One end fixed, One end fixed,
Fixed at both ends.
both Ends other end free other end pinned

Differen- 2 2 2 2
tial dv dv dv dv
EI 2
+ Pv EI 2
+ Pv EI 2
+ Pv EI 2
+ Pv
Equation dx dx dx dx
= 0 = Pv ( L ) = RB ( L – x ) = RB ( L – x ) + MB

Boundary v(0) = 0 v( 0) = 0 v( 0) = 0 v( 0) = 0
Conditions v( L) = 0 dv dv dv
(0) = 0 (0) = 0 (0) = 0
dx dx dx
v( L) = 0 v( L) = 0
dv
(L) = 0
dx
Character- sin λL = 0 cos λL = 0 tan λL = λL 2 ( 1 – cos λL )
istic – λL sin λL = 0
Equation

λ = P-
-----
EI
Critical 2 2 2 2 2 2
π EI- π π EI-
EI- = ------------- 20.13EI π EI - 4π π EI - [
EI- = -----------------
Load ----------- ----------- ------------------- = ----------------- --------------
2 2 2 2 2 2 2
Pcr L 4L ( 2L ) L ( 0.7L ) L ( 0.5L )
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Effective L 2L 0.7L 0.5L

Length—
Leff

2
P cr = π EI-
-----------
2
L eff

August 2014 11-8

 M. Vable Mechanics of Materials: Chapter 11

P cr
Axial Stress: σ cr = --------
A
I
Radius of gyration: r = ---
A
P cr 2
π E
σ cr = -------- = -----------------------
A 2
( L eff ⁄ r )
Slenderness ratio: (Leff/r).
Failure Envelopes

A A A

• Short columns: Designed to prevent material elastic failure.

• Long columns: Designed to prevent buckling failure.
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August 2014 11-9

 M. Vable Mechanics of Materials: Chapter 11

C11.2 Columns made from an alloy will be used in a construction of

a frame. The cross-section of the columns is a hollow-cylinder of thick-
ness 10 mm and outer diameter of ‘d’ mm. The modulus of elasticity is
E = 200 GPa and the yield stress is σyield = 300 MPa. Table below shows
a list of the lengths ‘L’ and outer diameters ‘d’. Identify the long and the
short columns. Assume the ends of the column are built in.

L d
(m) (mm)

1 60
2 80
3 100
4 150
5 200
6 225
7 250
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August 2014 11-10

 M. Vable Mechanics of Materials: Chapter 11

C11.3 A force F= 600 lb is applied to the two bars structure as

shown. Both bars have a diameter of d = 1/4 inch, modulus of elasticity
E = 30,000 ksi, and yield stress σyield = 30 ksi. Bar AP and BP have
lengths of LAP= 8 inches and LBP= 10 inches, respectively. Determine
the factor of safety for the two-bar structures.

60o
A P

25o
F

Fig. C11.3
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August 2014 11-11

 M. Vable Mechanics of Materials: Chapter 11

Class Problem 1
Identify the members in the structures that you would check for buckling. Circle the
correct answers.
F
P 40o
B
A
110o
Structure 1
Structure 2
o
110
A
F B
P

B
B Structure 4
o
60 A
P
30o
Structure 3
75o

P
F

F
A

Structure 1 AP BP Both None

Structure 2 AP BP Both None
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Structure 3 AP BP Both None

Structure 4 AP BP Both None

August 2014 11-12

 M. Vable Mechanics of Materials: Chapter 11

C11.4 A hoist is constructed using two wooden bars to lift a weight

of 5 kips. The modulus of elasticity for wood is E = 1,800 ksi and the
allowable normal stress 3.0 ksi. Determine the maximum value of L to
the nearest inch that can be used in constructing the hoist.

L ft. C
A
B 4 in
A 30o

A
2 in
W
A Cross-section AA
A

Fig. C11.4
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August 2014 11-13