1

Abstract:
In this experiment we have to study the bending behavior of struts
The objective of this experiment is to develop an experimental
method utilizing the buckling of columns apparatus that will
determine the load-deflection function and critical loads of a sample
column. The developed method is then used to determine the load-
deflection function and critical loads for a column with various end
conditions (pinned-pinned, fixed-fixed).For this purpose different
diameter of struts were considered and load was applied within
elastic limit of strut as permanent deformation is not desired in this
case. Also different types of constrains in terms of fixing the struts
were considered.
Accessories:
Set of different chucks
Vernier callipers
Tools
Lead to connect to Digital Force Display
Introduction:
A long structural member subject to a compressive load is called a strut.

2

In science, buckling is a mathematical instability, leading to a failure
mode .Buckling is characterized by a sudden failure of a structural
member subjected to high compressive stress, where the actual
compressive stress at the point of failure is less than the ultimate
compressive stresses that the material is
capable of withstanding. Mathematical
analysis of buckling makes use of an axial
load eccentricity that introduces a moment,
which does not form part of the primary
forces to which the member is subjected.
When load is constantly being applied on a
member, such as column, it will ultimately
become large enough to cause the member
to become unstable.
Procedure:
L key was used to fit the strut in the jaws of the system.
A ball is placed at both end of the strut for the case of pinned end
configuration (which restricts translation and permits rotation of
the loaded ends).
Initially small load was used to check the deflection. Our plane of
interest was xx plane because we had measuring mechanism in
that plane.

3

Vernier caliper was attached to sensor that shows the deflection.
Load was applied and strut deflected.
Vernier caliper was moved until green light turns on.
Load was applied and corresponding deflection reading was
noted.
Same procedure was applied to all the struts and their deflection
data was noted.
Graph was plotted to study the effect of different parameters on
the behavior of deflection which are shown shortly.
TABLES AND GRAPHS:
Both End
Conditions
Length
(mm)
Dia.
(mm)
e Load
P
Deflection
u
P/u
(mm) (N) (mm) (N/mm)

Fixed 996 8.1 0 50 0.16 312.5
80 0.28 285.714286
120 0.45 266.666667
160 1.17 136.752137
206 1.73 119.075145

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Both End
Conditions
Length
(mm)
Dia.
(mm)
e Load
P
Deflection
u
P/u
(mm) (N) (mm) (N/mm)

Fixed 846 8.1 0 50 0.11 454.545455
80 0.21 380.952381
120 0.37 324.324324
150 0.97 154.639175
200 1.21 165.289256
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
0 100 200 300
L
o
a
d

P


(
N
)


P/u (N/mm)

5


Both End
Conditions
Length
(mm)
Dia.
(mm)
e Load
P
Deflection
u
P/u
(mm) (N) (mm) (N/mm)

Fixed 696 8.1 0 108 0.23 469.565217
163 0.57 285.964912
201 0.91 220.879121
250 1.12 223.214286
268 1.24 216.129032

Both End
Conditions
Length
(mm)
Dia.
(mm)
e Load
P
Deflection
u
P/u
0
100
200
300
400
500
0 100 200 300
L
o
a
d

P


(
N
)


P/u (N/mm)
Series1
Linear (Series1)
0
100
200
300
400
500
0 100 200 300
L
o
a
d

P


(
N
)


P/u (N/mm)
Series1
Linear (Series1)

6

(mm) (N) (mm) (N/mm)

Fixed 996 5 0 41.7 0.47 88.7234043
60.8 1.16 52.4137931
78 2.47 31.5789474
112 3.83 29.2428198
130 4.78 27.1966527






Both End
Conditions
Length
(mm)
Dia.
(mm)
e Load
P
Deflection
u
P/u
(mm) (N) (mm) (N/mm)
0
20
40
60
80
100
0 50 100 150
L
o
a
d

P


(
N
)


P/u (N/mm)
Series1
Linear (Series1)

7


Fixed 846 5 0 116 0.54 214.814815
160 0.96 166.666667
190 1.25 152
230 2.34 98.2905983
243 4.28 56.7757009

Both End
Conditions
Length
(mm)
Dia.
(mm)
e Load
P
Deflection
u
P/u
(mm) (N) (mm) (N/mm)

Fixed 696 5 0 50 0.28 178.571429
75 0.46 163.043478
102 0.72 141.666667
127 1.14 111.403509
141 1.36 103.676471
0
50
100
150
200
250
0 100 200 300
L
o
a
d

P


(
N
)


P/u (N/mm)
Series1
Linear (Series1)

8


Both End
Conditions
Length
(mm)
Dia.
(mm)
e Load
P
Deflection
u
P/u
(mm) (N) (mm) (N/mm)

Pinned 996 8.1 0 140 0.11 1272.72727
250 0.25 1000
300 0.5 600
330 0.87 379.310345
365 1.57 232.484076

Both End
Conditions
Length
(mm)
Dia.
(mm)
e Load
P
Deflection
u
P/u
(mm) (N) (mm) (N/mm)
0
50
100
150
200
0 50 100 150
L
o
a
d

P


(
N
)


P/u (N/mm)
Series1
Linear (Series1)
0
500
1000
1500
0 100 200 300 400
L
o
a
d

P


(
N
)


P/u (N/mm)
Series1
Linear (Series1)

9


Pinned 846 8.1 0 103 0.26 396.153846
150 0.47 319.148936
215 0.71 302.816901
260 0.88 295.454545
320 1.11 288.288288






0
100
200
300
400
500
0 100 200 300 400
L
o
a
d

P


(
N
)


P/u (N/mm)
Series1
Linear (Series1)
Both End
Conditions
Length
(mm)
Dia.
(mm)
e Load
P
Deflection
u
P/u
(mm) (N) (mm) (N/mm)

Pinned 696 8.1 0 280 0.14 2000
400 0.24 1666.66667
450 0.43 1046.51163
666 0.66 1009.09091
762 0.92 828.26087

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Both End
Conditions
Length
(mm)
Dia.
(mm)
e Load
P
Deflection
u
P/u
(mm) (N) (mm) (N/mm)

Pinned 996 8.1 14.7 50 0.79 63.2911392
63 1.35 46.6666667
76 2.14 35.5140187
82 2.7 30.3703704
92 3.23 28.4829721

Both End
Conditions
Length
(mm)
Dia.
(mm)
e Load
P
Deflection
u
P/u
(mm) (N) (mm) (N/mm)
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
0 200 400 600 800 1000
L
o
a
d

P


(
N
)


P/u (N/mm)
Series1
Linear (Series1)
Linear (Series1)
y = -0.8521x + 102.73
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
0 20 40 60 80 100
L
o
a
d

P


(
N
)


P/u (N/mm)
Series1
Linear (Series1)
Linear (Series1)

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Pinned 996 8.1 27.2 30 0.93 32.2580645
40 1.84 21.7391304
50 2.81 17.7935943
57 3.43 16.6180758
60 3.7 16.2162162

Effective length for both end fixed= Le=0.5 L
Effective length for both end pinned= Le=L
Moment of inertia for a circular body: I= r
4
/4

Modulus of elasticity stainless steel = E= 200 GPa

le (
mm)
Both End
Conditions
Length
(mm)
Dia. e Moment
of inertia
P
cr

Predicted
Buckling
Load
(mm) (mm) (m^4) (N)
498 Fixed 996 8.1 0 2.11306E-
10
1681.83767
y = -0.5072x + 44.967
0
10
20
30
40
0 20 40 60 80
L
o
a
d

P


(
N
)


P/u (N/mm)
Series1
Linear (Series1)

12

423 Fixed 846 8.1 0 2.11306E-
10
2331.10603
348 Fixed 696 8.1 0 2.11306E-
10
3444.16758
498 Fixed 996 5 0 3.06797E-
11
244.187832
423 Fixed 846 5 0 3.06797E-
11
338.455806
348 Fixed 696 5 0 3.06797E-
11
500.062417
996 Pinned 996 8.1 0 2.11306E-
10
420.459418
846 Pinned 846 8.1 0 2.11306E-
10
582.776507
696 Pinned 696 8.1 0 2.11306E-
10
861.041894
996 Pinned 996 8.1 14.7 2.11306E-
10
102.7

996
Pinned 996 8.1 27.2 2.11306E-
10
44.96





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e Pcr
14.7 102.7
27.2 44.96

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DISCUSSION:
Struts with large cross sections compared with the length generally fail
under compressive stress and the conventional failure criteria
apply. When the cross section area is not large compared to the length
i.e the member is slender, then the member will generally fail by
buckling well before the compressive yield strength is reached.
CONCLUSIONS that can be made:
P vs P/u depicted that a inversely relation exist between P
and P/u.
Pcr vs Le also showed the inverse relationship.
Pcr vs e showed the inverse relationship between themselves.
Ideally speaking, buckling is the sudden onset of large lateral
displacements in a member at some critical load. This
ultimately causes a decrease in the load-carrying capacity of
the member
APPLICATIONS:
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
P

c
r



N




e mm
Series1

15

Struts are used in "load bearing" applications ranging from both highway and
off-road suspensions to automobile hood and hatch window supports to
aircraft wing supports. In vehicle suspension systems, struts are most
commonly an assembly of coil-over spring and shock absorber.





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