COLUMN

Column is a prismatic member supporting axial loads. A column supports compressive load
upto a value called critical load and beyond that the column experience sudden large lateral
deflection. If we consider a pined column (both ends hinged) of length l and constant flexural
rigidity EI subjected to an axial centric load P , the lowest value of load for which buckling
takes place is given by Euler’s formula:
n 2 EI
Pcr 
l2

E modulus of elasticity; N/mm2

I second moment of area; mm4
l length of column; mm
n coefficient of end condition from Figure
Pcr
critical load; N
For the load given by above equation or any larger load, the equilibrium of the column is
unstable and large transverse deflection takes place.

The stress corresponding to critical load (

Pcr
) is called critical stress (
 cr )
Pcr n 2 E
 cr  
A (l / k ) 2

A area of cross-section; mm2

k radius of gyration; mm
The quantity, l / k is called slenderness ratio. The variation of critical stress for steel ( E  200
  250
GPa and y MPa) is shown in Figure 4.28 with respect to slenderness ratio. It is noted

from the figure that the column will fail in buckling if slenderness ration is more than 80.

The Euler’s formula is used only for long column but short columns fail under combined
buckling and yielding modes. It is derived with the assumptions that the stress remains below
yield point stress, the column is straight, homogeneous and subjected to central axial loading.
The machine members modeled as column deviates too much from this idealization. Hence, in
practice, the design of columns is based on empirical formulas that reflect the results of
analytical and experimental research.

The results of tests conducted to measure failure stress of columns of various slenderness ratio
based on equivalent length are presented in Figure 4.29. For higher slenderness ratio failure
can closely be predicted by Euler’s formula i.e the critical stress  cr  is dependent on modulus
of elasticity ( E ). It may be observed from the graph that for very short columns, failure occurs
 cr  S yc
essentially as a result of yielding and we have . Between these two extremes of long
S yc E.
and short columns, the critical stress depends on both and
Many empirical formulae have been developed to predict the failure in this intermediate range
of slenderness ratio as given below:
Rankine and Gorden formula
S yc A S yc
Pcr   cr 
1  C l / k 
2
1  C l / k 2
or 4.20

where C is a constant, the value of C depends upon the end conditions and materials as given
in Table 4.2
Johnson’s formula (parabolic formula)
S yc  l 2   S yc l
2

Pcr  AS yc 1      cr  S yc 1    
 4n E  k   4n E  k 
2 2
or   4.21

Straightline formula
2S  l  S ys   2S yc  l  S yc 
Pcr  A y  yc     cr  S yc    
 3  k  3nE   3  k  3nE 
or 4.22

Sel A Sel
Pcr  formula
Ritter 2
 cr  2
Sel  l  S l
1   1  el2  
n 2 E  k  or n E  k  4.23

S yc A S yc
 crcolumn
Pcr  formula for eccentrically loaded
Secant 
ey  l Pcr  ey  l Pcr 
1  2 sec  1  sec 
k  2 nk EA 
 or k 2
 2nk EA 
4.24

An alternative form of  cr is
P  ey   P 
 cr  1  2 sec 
A  k  2 Pcr 

where
e eccentricity; mm
y maximum distance from neutral axis; mm
S el strength at elastic limit, N/mm2
P allowable load on column, N
 Table 4.2: Values of ‘C’in Rankine and Gorden formula
Material Both ends One hinged One fixed Both
ends hinged one fixed one free fixed
1 1.95 16 1
Cast iron 1250 5000 5000 5000

1 1.95 16 1
Wrought iron 9000 36000 5000 36000

1 1.95 16 1
Mild steel 6250 25000 5000 25000

1 1.95 16 1
Timber 750 3000 5000 3000

It is not always feasible to use a single formula for complete range of slenderness ratio and
hence we must ensure the range of applicability of the formula. AISC (American Institute of
Steel construction) recommends the use of parabolic formula to predict stress for short and
intermediate columns and Euler’s formula for long columns to design steel columns. Both the
formulae have been plotted in Figure 4.30.

AISC assumes that stress corresponding to point B is half of the yield strength and this
slenderness ration is called critical slenderness ratio ( Cc ).
2n 2 E
Cc 
S yc
4.25

As per AISC a factor of safety is to be used to obtain the allowable value of stress
fos  1.92 (l / r)  Cc
if 4.26a
3
5 3 (l / r ) 1  l / r 
fos     
3 8 Cc 8  Cc 
4.26b
  n 2 E
 d  cr 
1.92l / r 
2
1.92 (l / r)  Cc
Hence for 4.27a
 cr S yc  S yc  l   2

d   1    
fos fos  4n 2 E  k   (l / r)  Cc
for 4.27b

EXAMPLE PROBLEM 4.14

(a) The cross section of a 2.4 m long column is shown in figure. Using Euler’s formula and
a factor of safety of two, determine the allowable centric load for the column and the
corresponding normal stress.
(b) Assuming that the allowable load, found in part a is applied as shown at a point 20 mm
from the centroidal axis, determine the maximum normal stress in the column. Use
E  200 GPa

Solution

Axial loaded column

Critical load
n 2 EI 0.25 2 ( 200000 )(3.3  10 6 )
Pcr    282 .7  103
l2 2400 N

factor of safety = 2
Pcr 282700 Pallowable 141360
Pallowable    141 .36     63.9
n 2 N and A 2212 N/mm2

Eccentric loaded column

The maximum

normal stress is obtained from
P ey  P 
 cr  1  sec 
A  k2 2 Pcr 
  

P  141.36 N e  20 mm k  38 mm y  50 mm fos  2
 141360  20 50    1 
 cr  1  sec   163 .6
2212  382 2 2 
   MPa

EXAMPLE PROBLEM 4.15

A petrol engine has bore and stroke of 150 and 200 mm respectively. The length of
connecting rod is 5 times the crank radius. The maximum explosion pressure is 3 N/mm2.
The section of the connecting rod is shown. Design the section if permissible compressive
stress is 80 N/mm2.

Solution
Stroke 200
  100
Crank radius = 2 2 mm

Length of connecting rod, l = 5 × 100 = 500 mm

 
F d 2
 pressure  150 2  3  53010
Gas force, 4 4 N

For given section

A  24t  t   5t  t  13t 2 mm2

Ix 
1
12

4t  7t 3  3t  5t 3 
12

997 4
t k x2 
Ix
A
 6.38t 2

The connecting rod is pinned at its both ends, one to piston pin and other to crank shaft. Also,
the connecting is considered as short column as in common cases the slenderness ratio is less
than 80. We will use Rankine 80  13t 2
53010  formula
cA 1 500 2
P 1 
1  C l / k 
2
7500 6.38t 2
or

solving t  7.3 mm

EXAMPLE PROBLEM 4.16

A column pinned at both ends is made up from a section shown. The yield strength and modulus
of elasticity are 248 MPa and 200 GPa respectively. Determine the allowable axial compressive
load (a) if the effective length of the column is 7.2 m. (b) if movement of the midpoint C is
prevented in xz plane.
 7.2 m

Solution
2
2 E 2 2  200000
C c2    15.9  10 3
S yc 248 Cc  126.1

(a)
ry  rx xz
Since buckling will take place in the plane.
l 7200
  143 .14
ry 50.3

(l / r)  Cc
 
since
 n 2 E  2 200  103
 d  cr    50.2
1.92l / r  1.92143.14
2 2
hence 1.92 MPa

Pc   d A  50.2  7420  372.3

kN

(b)
As movement in xz plane is prevented and the effective length, l  3600 mm
l the3600
  71.6
ry 50.3
mm

Movement in yz plane is not prevented and hence effective length, l  7200 mm

l 7200
  66.7
rx 108 mm

Since the larger slenderness ratio corresponds to a smaller allowable load, we choose 71.6 mm
(l / r )  C c
and 3
5 3 (l / r ) 1  l / r 
3
5 3 (71.6) 1  71.6 
fos            1.86
3 8 Cc 8  Cc  3 8 126.1 8  126.1 

S yc 
 cr S yc  l 2  248  1  71.6 2 
d   1     1      111.8
fos fos  4n 2 E  k   1.86  2  126.1  
MPa

Pc   d A  111.8  7420  829.8

kN