COLUMNS AND STRUTS :

STRUTS : A structural member subjected to an axial compressive force.

A strut may be horizontal, inclined or vertcal.
Columns : A vertical strut is called a COLUMN.
Failure of a column under compressive force P :
(ii). Failure by 'Buckling' : A long and thin column, when subjected to a gradually
increasing compressive load P, may tend to bend to , inducing eccentric bending
stresses, and resulting in failure of the column. This type of failure is called ''Failure
by Buckling' or 'Crippling'
Euler's Theory of Buckling of Compression members :
Euler derived a mathematical expression for Failure load of a compression member
under Buckling for a long and slender column assuming column failing by ''Buckling'.
(i). Failure by crushing : A column with a large sectional area or/and a small length
when subjected to a gradualy increasing compressive load P will ultimately fail by
crushing of fibres, when fibre stress stress exceeds the crushing strength of the
material of the column.
Euler's Buckling load : Mathemtical expression for the Euler's Buckling load for a
compression member depends upon the end conditions of the compression
member. Euler has derived the mathematical expression for the following four
standard end conditions :
are in compression
Fig. 1 Inclined Struts :
members AC & BC Fig. 2 Failure of column
by Buckling
P
A B
C
P
P
e
Page 1 of 16
Fig 3.1 Fig 3.2 Fig 3.3 Fig 3.4
1. Both ends hinged :
Pcr =
2
.E.I/L
2
( 1 )
Euler's Buckling load : Mathemtical expression for the Euler's Buckling load for a
compression member depends upon the end conditions of the compression
member. Euler has derived the mathematical expression for the following four
standard end conditions :
1. Both ends hinged. (Fig 3.1)
2. Both Ends Fixed. (Fig 3.2)
where :
E = Modulus of Elasticity of the material of the compression member.
I = Moment of inertia of section of the compression member about weaker axis
about which the compression member is likely to buckle.
L = Actual length of the compression member.
(Note : Dotted lines show the
deflected shapes at Buckling
Pcr = Buckling (or Crippling load),
3. One end is fixed and other end is hinged. (Fig 3.3)
4. One end is fixed and other end is free. (Fig 3.4)
The mathematical expressions for these end conditions are given below :
P
P P
P P
P P P
L

P
P
L

Fig 4: buckling of
col with both ends
Hinged
Page 2 of 16
Pcr = 4
2
.E.I/L
2
= (
2
.E.I)/(L/2)
2
( 2 )
3. One end fixed and other end hinged :
Pcr = 2
2
.E.I/L
2
= (
2
.E.I)/(L/2)
2
( 3 )
Pcr =
2
.E.I/4L
2
= (
2
.E.I)/(2L)
2
( 4 )
( Notations of symbols as per (1) above.)
Example 1 : A steel rod 20 mm dia and 2 m length is subjected to a gradually
increasing compressive load. Calculate Buckling ( Crippling load) for the following
end conditions for the steel rod.
2. Both ends fixed :
4. One end fixed and othr end free :
(i). Both ends hinged.
(ii). Both ends fixed.
(iii). One end fixed and other end hinged.
(iv). One end fixed and other end free.
Adopt E = 2 x 10
5
N/mm
2
Solution :
(i). Both ends hinged :
Pcr =
2
.E.I/L
2
P
P
L

P
P
L

Fig 5:
Buckling of col. with
both ends fixed
Fig 6:
Buckling of col. with one end
fixed and other end Hinged
P
P
L

Fig 6:
Buckling of col. with one end
fixed and other end Free
Page 3 of 16
Le = L/2 = 0.5 L for end condition as both ends fixed
Concept of Equivalent length :
If in the expressions for the Buckling loads for the above four standard end
conditions, the actual length of the compression member L is replaced by the term
'Le' ; ( trmed as effective length), such that :
Le = L for end condition as both ends hinged
'= 2 x (3.14)
2
x 2 x 10
5
x 7850/(2000)
2
= 7740 N = 77.40 KN
(iv). One end fixed and other end free.
Pcr =
2
.E.I/4.L
2
'= (3.14)
2
x 2 x 10
5
x 7850/4.(2000)
2
= 967 N = 0.97 KN
Pcr = 4
2
.E.I/L
2
'= 4 x (3.14)
2
x 2 x 10
5
x 7850/(2000)
2
= 15480 N = 15.48 KN
(iii). One end fixed and other end hinged.
Pcr = 2
2
.E.I/L
2
E = 2 x 10
5
N/mm
2
I = .D
4
/64 = 3.14x(20)
4
/64 = 7850 mm
4
L = 2 m = 2000 mm
Therefore, Pcr = (3.14)
2
x 2 x 10
5
x 7850/(2000)
2
= 3870 N = 3.87 KN
(ii). Both ends fixed :
Page 4 of 16
Effective length of the steel rod :
(i). Both ends hinged :
Le = 0.707 L = 0.707 x 2000 = 1414 mm
where, Le = Effective length of the compression member given by the above
expressions.
Example 2 : A steel rod 20 mm dia and 2 m length is subjected to a gradually
increasing compressive load. Calculate Effectiv length for the compression
member for the following end conditions for the steel rod.
(i). Both ends hinged.
(ii). Both ends fixed.
(iii). One end fixed and other end hinged.
(iv). One end fixed and other end free.
Also calculate Crippling load for each case using the concept of the Effective
length. Adopt E = 2 x 10
5
N/mm
2
Le = L/2 = 0.707 L for end condition as one end fixed and other end hinged
Le = 2 L for end condition as one end fixed and other end free
Then the mathematical expression for the Buckling loads for all the four standard
end conditions can be writte as
Pcr =
2
.E.I/Le
2
Le = L 2 m = 2000 mm
(ii). Both ens fixed :
Le = 0.5 L =0.5 x 2000 = 1000 mm
(iii). One end fixed and other end hinged :
Solution :
Actual length of the steel rod = 2 m = 2000 mm
Page 5 of 16
(iii). One end fixed and other end hinged :
Pcr =
2
.E.I/Le
2
In this case, Le = 0.707 L = 0.707 x 2000 = 1414 mm
Therefore, Pcr = (3.14)
2
x 2 x 10
5
x 7850/(1414)
2
= 7740 N = 7.74 KN
(i). Both end hinged :
Le = L = 2 m = 2000 mm
E = 2 x 10
5
N/mm
2
As calculated earlier, I = 7850 mm
4
;
(iv). One end fixed and other end free :
Le = 2L = 2 x 2000 = 4000 mm
Crippling loads for different end conditions :
Pcr =
2
.E.I/Le
2
Therefore, Pcr =(3.14)
2
x 2 x 10
5
x 7850/(2000)
2
= 3870 N = 38.70 KN
(ii). Both ends fixed :
Pcr =
2
.E.I/Le
2
In this case, Le = 0.5 L = 0.5 x 2000 = 1000 mm
Therefore, Pcr =(3.14)
2
x 2 x 10
5
x 7850/(1000)
2
= 15480 N = 15.48 KN
Page 6 of 16
Accordingly, Pc = 250 x 314 = 78500 N = 78.50 KN
Example 4 : Determine wether the steel bar in Example 2 above( 20 mmdia and 2
m length) will fail by crushing or Buckling. Both ends of the bar are hinged.
As = area of steel bar
Crushing strength does not depend upon length of bar and end conditions.
In this case, fc = 250 N/mm
2
As = . r
2
r = radius of bar = 10 mm
Therefore, As = 3.14 x(10)
2
= 314 mm
2
Example 3 : If crushing strength of steel is equal to 250 N/mm
2
, calculte the
crushing strength of steel bar in Example 2 above ( Bar dia = 20 mm, length = 2 m)
Solution :
Crushing strength = Pc = fc. As
where,
fc = crushing stress
(iv). One end fixed and other end free :
Pcr =
2
.E.I/Le
2
In this case, Le = 2 L = 2 x 2000 = 4000 mm
Therefore, Pcr = (3.14)
2
x 2 x10
5
x 7850/(4000)
2
= 967 N = 0.97 KN
Solution :
As calculated above,
Crushing strength of bar = 78.5 KN
Page 7 of 16
As the Buckling load of the bar ( Pcr= 3.90 KN), is much less than the crushing load,
(Pc = 78.5 KN), the bar will fail by Bukling.
Example 5 : Calculate the Buckling load of the steel bar 20 mmdia and 2 mlength,
subjected to a gradually increasing compression load P, for the following lengths of
bar.
(i) L= 0.5 m (ii). L = 1.0 m (iii). L = 1.5 m, (iv). L = 2 m, (v) L = 2.5 m, (vi). L = 3 m
Both ends of the bars are hinged in each case.
Adopt E = 2 x 10
5
N/mm
2
E = 2 x 10
5
N/mm
2
, I = 7850 mm
4
( as calculated in Ex 1 above)
Therefore, Pcr = (3.14)
2
x 2 x10
5
x 7850/(500)
2
= 62076 N = 62.08 KN
(ii). L = 1 m; Le = L = 1 m = 1000 mm
Therefore, Pcr = (3.14)
2
x 2 x10
5
x 7850/(1000)
2
= 15519 N = 15.52 KN
Buckling load of bar, if both ends of the bar are hinged = 1.94 KN
SOLUTION :
In this case, Pcr =
2
.E.I/Le
2
and Le = L
(i) L = 0.5 m; Le = L = 0.5 m = 0.5 x 1000 = 500 mm
(iii). L = 1.5 m; Le = L = 1.5 m = 1500 mm
Therefore, Pcr = (3.14)
2
x 2 x10
5
x 7850/(1500)
2
= 6890 N = 6.89 KN
(iv). L = 2 m; Le = L = 2 m = 2000 mm
Therefore, Pcr = (3.14)
2
x 2 x10
5
x 7850/(2000)
2
= 3870 N = 3.87 KN
Page 8 of 16
S.No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
Therefore, Pcr = (3.14)
2
x 2 x10
5
x 7850/(3000)
2
= 1720 N = 1.72 KN
1.72
Le
(mm)
Pcr
(KN)
62.08
15.52
6.89
3.87
2.48
(v). L = 2.5 m; Le = L = 2.5 m = 2500 mm
Therefore, Pcr = (3.14)
2
x 2 x10
5
x 7850/(2500)
2
= 2484 N = 2.48 KN
(vi). L = 3 m; Le = L = 3 m = 3000 mm
Summary of Results :
Conclusion : Buckling load decreses with increse in the effective length of the
compression member.
Example 6 : Calculate Buckling load for a steel rod of 2 m length, with bith ends
hinged, if dia of rod varies as below :
Dia of steel bar :
(i) 10 mm (ii). 20 mm (iii). 30 mm (iv). 40 mm (v). 50 mm
SOLUTION :
Buckling load = Pcr =
2
.E.I/Le
2
L = Le = 2 m = 2000 mm
(i). D = 10 mm ; I = .D
4
/64 = 3.14 x (10)
4
/64 = 491 mm
4
Therefore, Pcr = (3.14)
2
x 2 x 10
5
x 491/(2000)
2
= 285 N = 0.29 KN
Page 9 of 16
S.No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
Therefore, Pcr = (3.14)
2
x 2 x 10
5
x 306641/(2000)
2
= 178283 N = 178.28 KN
(v). D= 60 mm; I = .D
4
/64 = 3.14 x (60)
4
/64 = 635850 mm
4
Therefore, Pcr = (3.14)
2
x 2 x 10
5
x 635850/(2000)
2
= 369686 N = 369.69 KN
Dia (mm) Pcr (KN)
10 0.29
20 3.87
50 178.28
60 369.69
(iv). D= 40 mm; I = .D
4
/64 = 3.14 x (40)
4
/64 = 125600 mm
4
Therefore, Pcr = (3.14)
2
x 2 x 10
5
x 125600/(2000)
2
= 73024 N = 73.02 KN
(v). D= 50 mm; I = .D
4
/64 = 3.14 x (50)
4
/64 = 306641 mm
4
Therefore, Pcr = (3.14)
2
x 2 x 10
5
x 7850/(2000)
2
= 3870 N = 3.87 KN
(iii). D= 30 mm; I = .D
4
/64 = 3.14 x (30)
4
/64 = 125600 mm
4
Therefore, Pcr = (3.14)
2
x 2 x 10
5
x 39741/(2000)
2
= 19592 N = 19.59 KN
30 19.59
40 73.02
Conclusion : Buckling load increases with increase in diameter of the compression
member.
Example 7 : Calculate Buckling load for a steel column, 100 x 200 mm, 2 m long,
with both ends hinged. Adopt E = 10
5
N/mm
2
.
(ii). D= 20 mm; I = .D
4
/64 = 3.14 x (20)
4
/64 = 7850 mm
4
Summary of Results :
Page 10 of 16
Solution :
SOLUTION :
Buckling load = Pcr =
2
.E.Iyy/Le
2
Buckling load = Pcr =
2
.E.Iyy/Le
2
Iyy = [ (400 x 200
3
/12) - ( 380 x 180
3
/12)]
This section has different Moment of Inertia about X-X axis and Y-
Y axis. The column would tend to buckle about the weaker axis
i.e. Y-Y axis. Therefore in the expression for calculating the
Buckling load for this column, Iyy should be used in the
expression.
Example 8 : Calculate Buckling load for a steel column made of a hollow
rectangular steel section with outer size of 200 x 400 mm and thickness 10 mm,
and of 3 m height. Both ends of the column are hinged. Adopt E = 2 x 10
5
N/mm
2
.
As iyy < Ixx; Iyy shall be used in the
expression for calculating Pcr.
E = 2 x 10
5
N/mm
2
Le = L = 3 m = 3000 mm
Le = L = 2 m = 2000 mm
E = 2 x 10
5
N /mm
2
Iyy = (1/12) x 200 x 100
3
= 16.67 x 10
6
mm
4
Therefore, Pcr = (3.14)
2
x 2 x 10
5
x 16.67 x 10
6
/(2000)
2
= 8218 x 10
3
N = 8218 KN
(Imp. Note : When section of a compression member has different Moment of
Inertia about X-X axis and Y-Y axix ( i.e Ixx yy ), then adopt smaller value of I (i.e
Iyy, if Iyy is smaller than Ixx) in the expression for Pcr ).
2
0
0
m
m

100mm
y
x
y
x
4
0
0
m
m

200mm
y
x
y
x
10 180 10
3
8
0

1
0

1
0

Page 11 of 16
Slenderness Ratio (def) = (Le/k)
Where,
Stress = Force/Area
Accordingly, buckling stress = Pcr/A
From (1)
Buckling stress = Pcr/A =
2
.E/(Le/k)
2
The term (Le/k) is called ' Slenderness ratio'.
Putting I = A.k
2
where, A = sectional area of the compression member
k = a mathematical term called 'radius of gyration'.
Pcr =
2
.E.I/Le
2
=
2
.E.A.k
2
/Le
2
=
2
.E.A./(Le
2
/k
2
) =
2
.E.A./(Le/k)
2
Therefore, Pcr =
2
.E.A./(Le/k)
2
(1)
Concept of Slenderness Ratio :
Two factors that affect Pcr are : (i). Moment of Inertia ( I ), (ii). The effective length
Le
Pcr increases with increase in value of I. Pcr decreases with increase in value of Le.
It is generally more convenient to combine the effect of both factors and arriv at a
mathematical expression involving only one variable with combined effect.
Buckling load = Pcr =
2
.E.I/Le
2
'= [2.67 x 10
8
- 1.85 x 10
8
] mm
4
= 0.82x 10
8
mm
4
Therefore, Pcr = (3.14 x 3.14 x 2 x 10
5
x 0.82 x 10
8
)/(3000x3000) = 17966 x 10
3
N =
17966 KN
Page 12 of 16
Le = Effective length of the compression member
k = Radius of gyration defined as =(I/A) I = A.k
2
A =(.D
1
2
/4 - .D
1
2
/4) = (/4) x (D
1
2
- D
2
2
) = (3.14/4) x (50
2
- 30
2
) =
I = . D
4
/64 = 3.14 x (20)
4
/64 = 7850 mm
4
A = .D
2
/4 = 3.14 x (20)
2
/4 = 314 mm
2
Radius of gyration = k = sqrt(I/A) = sqrt(7850/314) = 5 mm
(ii). Hollow circular tube of external dia 50 mm dia and 10 mm thickness.
SOLUTION :
D
1
= 50 mm ; D
2
= 30 mm
I =(.D
1
4
/64 - .D
2
4
/64) = /64 . (D
1
4
- D
2
4
) =( 3.14 /64 ) x (50
4
- 30
4
)
=(3.14/64) x ( 6250000 - 810000)
= 266900 mm
4
fcr =
2
.E/(Le/k)
2
(2)
Example 9 : Calculate Moment of Inertia and radius of gyration for the following
sections.
(i). 20 mm dia circular rod (ii). Hollow circular tube of external dia 50 mm dia
and 10 mm thickness. (iii). A rectangular section of size 100 X 200 mm. (iv). A
hollow rectangular Tube of external size 200 x 400 mm and thickness 10 mm
SOLUTION :
(i). Circular rod 20 mm dia.
10 mm
D2 = 30mm
D1 = 50mm
x
x
y
y
Page 13 of 16
kyy = sqrt(Iyy/A0 = sqrt(16.67x10
6
/2x10
4
) = 28.86 mm
= (3.14/4) x (2500 - 900) = 1256 mm
2

Radius of gyration = k = sqrt(I/A) = sqrt(266900/1256) = 14.58 mm
(iii). A rectangular section of size 100 X 200 mm.
SOLUTION :
Ixx = b.D
3
/12 = 100 x (200)
3
/12 = 66.67 x 10
6
mm
4
Iyy = D.b
3
/12 = 200 x (100)
3
/12 = 16.67 x 10
6
mm
4
A = b.D = 100 x 200 = 2 x 10
4
mm
2
(All dimensions in mm)
Radii of gyration :
kxx = sqrt(Ixx/A) = sqrt(66.67x10
6
/2x10
4
) = 57.73 mm
As kyy is smallr than kxx, a compression member of this cross section will tend to
buckle along yy axis.
(iv). A hollow rectangular Tube of external size 200 x 400 mm and thickness 10
mm
4
0
0
m
m

200mm
y
x
y
x
10 180 10
3
8
0

1
0

1
0

2
0
0
m
m

100mm
y
x
y
x
Page 14 of 16
Ixx = b
1
.D
1
3
/12 - b
2
.D
2
3
/12 =( b
1
.D
1
3
- b
2
.D
2
3
)/12 = [200 x (400)
3
- 180 x (380)
3
]/12 =
2.44 x 10
8
mm
4
Iyy = D
1
.b
1
3
/12 - D
2
.b
2
3
/12 = (D
1
.b
1
3
- D
2
.b
2
3
)/12 = [400x(200)
3
- 380 x (180)
3
]/12 =
0.82 x 10
8
mm
4
A = b
1
.D
1
- b
2
. D
2
= 200 x 400 - 380 x 180 = 11600 mm
2
= 1.16 x 10
4
mm
2
kxx = sqrt(Ixx/A) = sqrt(2.44x10
8
/1.16x10
4
) = 145 mm
kyy = sqrt(iyy/A) = sqrt(0.82x10
8
/1.16x10
4
) = 84 mm
As kyy is smallr than kxx, a compression member of this cross section will tend to
buckle along yy axis.
SOLUTION :
Page 15 of 16
Slenderness ratio = Le/k
As calculated in Example 9 above , radius of gyration k = 5 mm
(iv). On end fixed and other end free :
In this case, Le = 2 L = 2 x 1000 = 2000 mm
(ii). Both ends fixed :
In this case, Le = 0.5 L = 0.5 x 1000 = 500 mm
Therefore, S.R = Le/k = 500/5 = 100
(iii). One end fixed and other end hinged :
In this case, Le = 0.707 L = 0.707 x 1000 = 707 mm
Therefore, S.R = Le/k = 707/5 = 141
Slenderness for different end conditions are calculaed below :
(i). Both ends hinged :
Le = L = 1 m = 1000 mm
Therefor, S.R = Le/k = 1000/5 = 200
Example 10 : A compression member of 20 mm steel rod has a length of 1 m.
Calculate Slenderness ratio of the compression member for the following end
conditions of the compression member.
(i) Both ends hinged. (ii). Both ends fixed (iii). One end fixed and other end
hinged. (iv). One end fixed and other end free.
SOLUTION :
Therefore, S.R = Le/k = 2000/5 = 400
Page 16 of 16