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EXPERIMENT 2: STRUT BUCKLING

OBJECTIVE
This laboratory test is conducted to determine the buckling load for a pinned ended
strut.

Theory
Applying the Buckling Theory, if a rod is subjected to longitudinal forces, as implied
in the sketch, it can fail in two ways. On the one hand, it can be plasticized and flattened if its
admissible compressive strain is exceeded see the figure below. On the other hand, it is possible
that it will suddenly shift to one side and buckle before attaining the admissible compressive
strain. This effect is called buckling. The shape of the rod is the factor determines which of the
two cases of failure will occur. A slender, thin rod is more likely to buckle than a thick, stout
rod.

Where:

F = maximum or critical force (vertical load on column)


E = modulus of elasticity
I = area moment of inertia
l = unsupported length of column
K = a constant whose value depends upon the conditions of end support of the column, for both
ends free to turn K = 1; for both ends fixed K = 4; for one end free to turn and the other end
fixed K = 2 approximately, and for one end fixed and the other end free to move laterally K =
1/4.

APPARATUS

Top Platen
Screw Handle

Dial Gauge Groove

Screw Jack Handle


Digital Indicator

(a)
(b)
(a) Specimen
(c)
(b) Steel Ruler

(c) Rubber Ruler

PROCEDURE
a) The digital indicator is switched on and warmed it up for at least 10 minutes.
b) A specimen is chosen and its length is measured. The width and thickness of the beam is
3mm and 25mm respectively.
c) The theoretical buckling load for a strut with pinned end condition is calculated. This is to
ensure that the load applied to the strut does not exceed the buckling load.
d) The grooved support is placed into the slot of the attachment for the end conditions and the
side screws are tightened.
e) The top plate is moved upwards or downwards to bring the distance between the two
supports closer to the length of the strut.
f) The tare button on the digital indicator is pressed to set the reading to zero.
g) The specimen is placed in the groove of the top support.
h) While holding the specimen, the jack is adjusted so that the lower end of the specimen just
rests in the groove of the bottom support. (If the distance between the two supports is
slightly less than the length of the strut, the screw jack handle is turned in counter clockwise.
If the distance between the two supports is slightly greater than the length of the strut, the
screw jack handle is turned in clockwise.)
i) The reading on the digital indicator is noted. If the load is greater than 10N, the jack handle
is turned counter clockwise to bring it to less than 10N.
j) The position of the dial gauge is checked to ensure that it is at the mid-length of the
specimen. The dial gauge reading is set to zero.
k) The tare button is pressed to set the load indicator to zero.
l) The specimen is loaded in small increments by turning the screw jack handle slowly in the
clockwise direction.
m) For each load increment, the load and the corresponding mid-span deflection are recorded.
(Important: please ensure that the applied load is always less than 80% of the buckling load.)
n) The specimen is unloaded by turning the jack handle in the counter clockwise direction.

EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS & CALCULATIONS

Length of member, L = 650 mm


Width of member, b = 25 mm
Thickness of member, d = 3 mm
bd 3
Moment of inertia of member, I =
12
= 56.25 mm 4
Dial gauge reading, 1 div = 0.01 mm
Table 1:
Load Mid-span Deflection, d d/P

N Div (m) mm mm/N

0 0 0 0
30 11 0.11 0.0037
40 27 0.27 0.0068
60 45 0.45 0.0075
80 76 0.76 0.0095
100 111 1.11 0.011
120 151 1.51 0.013
140 213 2.13 0.015
160 266 2.66 0.017
180 295 2.95 0.016

From the data in Table 1, the graph of deflection versus is plotted as shown below.

The best straight line is drawn through the points plotted. From the plot, the slope of the line,
m is determined. This represents the buckling load for the specimen.

Deflection (mm) vs Deflection/Load (mm/N)


0.02
y = 0.0048x + 0.0042
0.018
0.016
Deflection (mm)

0.014
0.012
0.01
0.008
0.006
0.004
0.002
0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5
Deflection/Load (mm/N)
From the graph plotted, the line represents y  mx  c with y = 0.0048x + 0.0042

Therefore, the buckling load of experimental, P is 0.0048 N.


By assuming the value of E as 200 GPa, the theoretical critical buckling load is calculated from
the following formula:

 2 * EI  2  200  103  56.25


Pcr  Pcr 
L2 6502

Pcr  262.8N

Therefore,

theoretical  exp erimental


% error   100%
theoretical

262.8  0.0048
% error   100%
262.8

=0.999%
DISCUSSION OF RESULTS

Before Experiment After Experiment

After our group had conducted the experiment we discussed the results we obtained, we found
that the experiment contains errors by comparing the experiment with the theory. There is a
small variation between experimental and theoretical data, 0.999% error. The error can occur
due to several factors such as: -

a) Inaccurate reading from dial gauge and digital indicator due to:
i. Readings are taken by more than one person in which gives different readings.
ii. During adjustment of the screw handles (upper handle and jack handle)
b) Human error:
i. During adjustment of the screw handles
c) Environmental errors
I. Such as air circulating around the member
CONCLUSION

From the result obtained, we conclude that the experiments consist of a small variation error
which caused by few factors. By this, there are few suggestions in order to increase the level
of accuracy of a strut buckling load for a pinned ended strut. Such as:

a) Care handling should be taken during adjustment of the screw handles (upper handle and
jack handle)
b) Readings are to be determined by only one person to gives an accurate value.

Furthermore, we can say that if the value of error is more than the result obtained, a serious
structure deflection may happen in a real situation. In other words, the lesser the value, the
safer the structure to carry loads that applied.
APPENDIX

Top Part Bottom Part

Load Reading Adjusted

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