Structural Analysis 3 ECSAN3A Lecturer: Ms J Mukalay
Chapter 2: Structural Instability_Struts
2.1 Introduction
➢ So far, in considering the behaviour of structure members under load, we have been concerned
with their ability to withstand different forms of stress. Their strength, therefore, has depended
upon the strength properties of the material from which they are fabricated.
➢ However, structural members subjected to axial compressive loads may fail in a manner that
depends upon their geometrical properties rather than their material properties.
➢ It is common experience, for example, that a long slender structural member such as that shown
in the Figure below will suddenly bow with large lateral displacements when subjected to an
axial compressive load. This phenomenon is known as instability and the member is said to
buckle.
➢ If the member is exceptionally long and slender it may regain its initial straight shape when
the load is removed.
➢ Structural members subjected to axial compressive loads are known as columns or struts,
although the former term is usually applied to the relatively heavy vertical members that are
used to support beams and slabs; struts are compression member in frames and trusses.
➢ It is clear from the above discussion that the design of compression members must take into
account not only the material strength of the member but also its stability against buckling.
➢ The shorter a member is in relation to its cross-sectional dimensions, the more likely it is that
failure will be a failure in compression of the material rather than one due to instability. It
follows that in some intermediate range a failure will be a combination of both.
Figure 1
1
Structural Analysis 3 ECSAN3A Lecturer: Ms J Mukalay
2.2 Euler theory
➢ Euler approach is valid for long slender columns possessing a variety of end restraints.
➢ When an increase axial compressive load is applied to a long slender column there is a value
of load at which the column will suddenly bow or buckle in some unpredetermined direction.
This load is patently the buckling load of the column or something very close to the buckling
load.
➢ The fact that the column buckles in a particular direction implies a degree of asymmetry in the
plane of the buckle caused by geometrical and/or material imperfections of the column and its
load.
➢ It is assumed that:
• The column is perfectly straight.
• The material of the column is homogeneous.
• The load is applied precisely along the perfectly straight centroidal axis.
➢ If the perfect column of the Figure 2 below is subjected to a compressive load P, only
shortening of the column occurs no matter what the value of P. Clearly if P were to produce a
stress greater than the yield stress of the material of the column, then material failure would
occur.
➢ However, if the column is displaced a small amount by a lateral load F, then, at values of P
below the critical or buckling load, Pcr, removal of F results in a return of the column to its
undisturbed position, indicating a state of stable equilibrium.
➢ When P=Pcr: the displacement does not disappear and the column will in fact, remain in any
displaced position so long as the displacement is small.
Figure 2
2
Structural Analysis 3 ECSAN3A Lecturer: Ms J Mukalay
➢ The buckling load Pcr is associated with a state of neutral equilibrium.
➢ For P>Pcr enforced lateral displacements increase and the column is unstable.
➢ For a pin-ended column:
Figure 3
Consider the pin-ended column. We shall assume that it is in the displaced state of neutral
equilibrium associated with buckling so that the compressive axial load has reached the value
Pcr.
We also assume the column has deflected so that its displacements, y, referred to the axes OXY
are positive.
➢ The bending moment, M at any section x is then given by:
𝑀 = −𝑃𝑐𝑟 . 𝑦
𝑑2𝑦
𝐸𝐼 = −𝑃𝑐𝑟 . 𝑦
𝑑𝑥 2
𝑑2𝑦 𝑃𝑐𝑟 . 𝑦
2
=−
𝑑𝑥 𝐸𝐼
𝑑 2 𝑦 𝑃𝑐𝑟 . 𝑦
+ =0
𝑑𝑥 2 𝐸𝐼
3
Structural Analysis 3 ECSAN3A Lecturer: Ms J Mukalay
➢ The solution above is of standard form and is:
𝑦 = 𝐴𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑢𝑥 + 𝐵𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑥
➢ Where 𝐴 and 𝐵 are constant and 𝑢2 =𝑃𝑐𝑟 /EI
➢ The boundary conditions for this particular case are y=0 at x=0 and x=l. the first of these gives
0 = 𝐴𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑢0
𝐴=0
𝑦 = 𝐵𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑥
➢ B cannot be zero otherwise there will be no deflection: y=0 when x=l
𝐵𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑙 = 0
𝑢𝐿 = 0, 𝜋, 2𝜋, …
➢ Using the smallest feasible solution: 𝑢𝐿 = 𝜋
𝜋
𝑢=
𝑙
𝐸: 𝑌𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑔 𝑚𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑙𝑢𝑠
2
𝜋 2 𝑃𝑐𝑟
𝑢 = 2 = 𝐼: 𝑆𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎
𝑙 𝐸𝐼
𝜋 2 𝐸𝐼 𝑙: 𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝑙𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑖𝑛
𝑃𝑐𝑟 = − 𝑗𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑡
𝑙2
⟹ 𝑙 = 𝑙𝑒
2.3 Other boundary conditions
➢ For a pin-jointed or ended strut: l=le
➢ For a strut with one end fixed and the other end free: le=2l
Figure 4
4
Structural Analysis 3 ECSAN3A Lecturer: Ms J Mukalay
➢ For the strut with one end fixed and the other end pinned: 𝑙𝑒 = 𝑙/√2
Figure 5
➢ For the strut with both ends fixed: 𝑙𝑒 = 𝑙/2
Figure 6
5
Structural Analysis 3 ECSAN3A Lecturer: Ms J Mukalay
➢ Both ends pinned: 𝑙𝑒 = 𝑙
➢ Both ends fixed: 𝑙𝑒 = 0,5𝑙
➢ One end fixed and one free: 𝑙𝑒 = 2𝑙
➢ One end fixed one pinned: 𝑙𝑒 = 0,7𝑙
Hence, the equation of the critical load can be modified as
𝜋 2 𝐸𝐼
𝑃𝑐𝑟 =
𝑙𝑒 2
Limitations of the Euler Theory
For a column of cross-section area A, the critical stress is:
𝑃𝑐𝑟 𝜋 2 𝐸𝐼
𝜎𝑐𝑟 = =
𝐴 𝐴𝑙𝑒 2
In which I is the second moment area for the principal axis about which buckling occurs. This
equation can be written in a more useful form by introducing the notation:
𝐼
𝑟=√
𝐴
Where r is the radius of gyration of the cross-section in the plane of bending (smallest I).
➢ Radius of gyration does not have an obvious physical meaning, consider it to be the distance
where the entire area could be concentrated and still have the same moment of inertia as
original area.
𝐼
𝑟2 =
𝐴
𝐼 = 𝐴𝑟 2
𝜋 2 𝐸𝐴𝑟 2 𝜋 2 𝐸𝑟 2
𝜎𝑐𝑟 = =
𝐴𝑙𝑒 2 𝑙𝑒 2
Which can be written as:
𝜋2𝐸
𝜎𝑐𝑟 =
(𝑙𝑒 /𝑟)2
Where (𝑙𝑒 /𝑟)2 is a non-dimensional ratio called the slenderness ratio.
➢ The slenderness ratio depends only on the dimensions of the column.
6
Structural Analysis 3 ECSAN3A Lecturer: Ms J Mukalay
➢ A column that is long and slender will have a high slenderness ratio and therefore a low critical
stress.
➢ A column that is short and stubby will have a low slenderness ratio and will buckle at a high
stress.
➢ Typical values of the slenderness ratio for actual columns are between 30 and 150.
➢ For the slenderness ratio less than 30, a column will fail in compression rather than by buckling
so that as predicted by the Euler theory is no longer valid.
Figure 7
2.4 Examples
A long slender column ABC is pin-supported at the ends and compressed by an axial load P.
Lateral support is provided at the midpoint B in the plane of the Figure. However, lateral support
perpendicular to the plane of the figure is provided only at the ends.
The column is constructed of a standard steel shape (IPN 220) having modulus of elasticity E=200
GPa and proportional limit 𝜎𝑝𝑙 =300MPa. The total length of the column is l=8 m.
Determine the allowable load P allow using a factor of safety n=2,5 with respect to Euler buckling
of the column.
Figure 8
7
Structural Analysis 3 ECSAN3A Lecturer: Ms J Mukalay
Solution
Plan 1 – 1: The only lateral support in this direction is at the ends. The distance between lateral
supports is l=8 m
IPN 220:
𝐼1 = 3060 𝑐𝑚4 ; 𝐼2 = 162 𝑐𝑚4 ; 𝐴 = 39,5 𝑐𝑚2
➢ Critical loads:
If the column buckles in the plane of the figure (2-2), the critical load is
𝜋 2 𝐸𝐼2
𝑃𝑐𝑟 =
𝑙𝑒 2
𝑙𝑒 = 𝐿⁄2
𝜋 2 . 200. 103 . 162. 104
𝑃𝑐𝑟 = = 200 𝑘𝑁
(8000/2)2
If the column buckles in the perpendicular plane of the figure (1-1), the critical load is
𝜋 2 𝐸𝐼1
𝑃𝑐𝑟 =
𝑙𝑒 2
𝑙𝑒 = 𝐿
𝜋 2 . 200. 103 . 3060. 104
𝑃𝑐𝑟 = = 943,78 𝑘𝑁
(8000)2
Therefore, the critical load for the column is the smaller of the two preceding values:
𝑃𝑐𝑟 = 200 𝑘𝑁 (𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚 𝐼)
➢ Critical stress:
𝑃𝑐𝑟
𝜎𝑐𝑟 = ≤ 𝜎𝑝𝑙
𝐴
It is only valid when the material obeys Hooke’s law (for the larger critical load)
943,78
𝜎𝑐𝑟 = = 238,9 𝑀𝑃𝑎 ≤ 𝜎𝑝𝑙
39,5 102
➢ Allowable load:
𝑃𝑐𝑟 200
𝑃𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 = = = 80 𝑘𝑁
𝑛 2,5
8
Structural Analysis 3 ECSAN3A Lecturer: Ms J Mukalay
2.5 Failure of columns of any length: Rankine Theory
➢ Empirical or semi-empirical methods are generally used to predict the failure of column of
any length.
➢ Rankine theory: Suppose that P is the failure load of a column of a given material and of any
length. Suppose also that 𝑃𝑠 is the failure load in compression of a short column of the same
material and that 𝑃𝑐𝑟 is the buckling load of a long slender column, again of the same
material. The Rankine theory proposes that:
1 1 1
= +
𝑃 𝑃𝑠 𝑃𝑐𝑟
➢ This equation is valid for very short column since:
1
→ 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑃 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 → 𝑃𝑠
𝑃𝑐𝑟
1 1
➢ This equation is also valid for a long slender column since 𝑃 is small compered with 𝑃 .
𝑠 𝑐𝑟
Thus, 𝑃 → 𝑃𝑐𝑟
𝑃𝑠 = 𝜎𝑠 . 𝐴
𝜋 2 𝐸𝐼1
𝑃𝑐𝑟 =
𝑙𝑒 2
1 1 1
= + 2
𝑃 𝜎𝑠 . 𝐴 𝜋 𝐸𝐼⁄ 2
𝑙𝑒
∗∗∗ 𝐷𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑝 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝐼 = 𝐴𝑟 2
𝜎𝑠 𝐴
𝑃𝑅 =
𝑙
1 + 𝑘( 𝑒⁄𝑟)2
➢ Where k is a constant that depends upon the material of the column: Rankine constant.
➢ The failure stress in compression 𝜎𝑐 of a column of any length is then:
𝑃𝑅 𝜎𝑠
𝜎𝑐 = =
𝐴 𝑙
1 + 𝑘( 𝑒⁄𝑟)2
9
Structural Analysis 3 ECSAN3A Lecturer: Ms J Mukalay
References
Strength of Materials and Structures, J Case, L Chilver & CTF Ross
10
