1.

0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 General Background
A structure may fail to support its load when a connection snaps, or it bends
until it is useless, or a member in compression crushes and crumbles, or, finally, if
a member in compression buckles, that is, moves laterally and shortens under a load
it can no longer support. Buckling is characterized by a sudden sideways deflection
of a structural member. Commonly ,there are several types of end condtion such as
pinned ends, fixed ends, pinned-fixed end and fixed-fixed end.
In this laboratory,we investigate the effect of three type of end condition,that is
pinned ends, fixed ends, pinned -fixed ends.The Euler Bucking formula
will be use to predict the buckling load and to prove the formula.

𝜋 2 𝐸𝐼
𝑃𝑐𝑟 =
(𝑘𝐿)2

Where;
Pcr = Critical axial load
E = Modulus of elasticity
I = Moment of Inertia
L = Length of column/strut
1 1
K = (𝑛)2 factor accounting based on the end restrained condition

1.2 Goal and Objectives

The objective of this laboratory is as follows :
 To investigate the influence of multiple column lengths and end restraints
(support conditions) under axial loading.
 To derive the Euler buckling factor by accounting few columns length
and end restraint conditions.
 1.3 Laboratory Scope
These type of instrument were used in this laboratory :
 Buckling of Strut Equipment
 Steel Strut

1.4 Significance of Laboratory

The laboratory purposes are to determine the buckling response of clamped-
clamped struts which is pinned end, fixed ends, and pin-fixed ends.Other than that,it is
to determine the buckling based on length of the strut that varies from 0.37 m ,0.32 m
and 0.42 m.

2.0 LITERATURE REVIEWS

 The elasticity of the material of the strut and not the compressive strength of the
material of the strut determines the strut’s buckling load.The buckling load is
directly proportional to the second moment of area of the cross section.
 The inflection points in the deflection shape of the column are the points at which
the curvature of the column changes sign and are also the points at which the
column's internal bending moments of the column are zero.
3.0 METHODOLOGY
Part 1
1. The bottom chuck was fitted to the machine and the top chuck was removed (
to give two pinned ends).The shortest strut,strut number 1 were measured by
using vernier caliper and the second moment of inertia of the strut was
calculated.

2. The position of sliding crosshead was adjusted to lock off the slider.The locking
screw was then tighten.
3. The handwheel was carefully back off to sure that the strut is at rest and not
transmitting any load.The force meter was set to zero by using the front panel
control.
4. The strut was carefully start to load.If the strut begin to buckle to the left,’flick’
the strut to the right and vice versa.The hand wheel was turned until there is no
further increase in load.
5. The final load is recorded in Table 1.The procedure were repeated with strut
number 2,3,4, and 5. The cross head were adjusted as required to fit the strut.
Part 2

1. To study the effect of end conditions,the same procedure were followed as in

Part 1.The bottom chuck were removed and the specimen were clamped using
the cap head screw and plate to make a pinned-fixed end condition.
1
2. The results were recorded in Table 2 and the values of 𝐿2 were calculated for the

struts.
3. The top chuck with two cap head screws was fitted and both ends of the
specimen was clamped (to make a pinned-pinned end condition).The new
1
values of was calculated.
𝐿2

4. The results were tabulated into Table 3.

4.0 RESULTS,DATA ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSIONS

4.1 RESULTS

Table 1 (Pinned-Pinned End condition)

Buckling Load Buckling Load

Strut Number Length (m) (N) (N) 1/L2 (m-2)
Experiment Theory
1 0.32 55 53.07 9.77
2 0.37 42 39.69 7.30
3 0.42 32 30.81 5.67

‘s

Table 2 (Pinned-Fixed End condition)

Buckling Load Buckling Load

Strut Number Length (m) (N) (N) 1/L2 (m-2)
Experiment Theory
1 0.32 108 108.31 9.77
2 0.37 80 81.01 7.30
3 0.42 61 62.87 5.67

Table 3 (Fixed-Fixed End condition)

Buckling Load Buckling Load

Strut Number Length (m) (N) (N) 1/L2 (m-2)
Experiment Theory
 1 0.32 216 212.28 9.77
2 0.37 156 158.78 7.30
3 0.42 121 123.23 5.67

4.2 DATA ANALYSIS

 Calculation for the theory value for Buckling Load (N)
a) Strut Number : 1
Length of strut : 0.32 m
E : 69×109 Nm
𝑏𝑑3
I= 12
(0.0185)(0.00173)3
= 12

=7.98 𝑥 10−12 𝑚4
1. Pinned-Pinned End condition (k = 1.0 )

𝜋 2 𝐸𝐼
𝑃𝑐𝑟 =
(𝑘𝐿)2

𝜋 2 𝑥 69x109 𝑥7.98𝑥10−12
=
(1.0𝑥0.32)2

=53.07 N

2. Pinned-Fixed End condition ( k = 0.7)

𝜋 2 𝐸𝐼
𝑃𝑐𝑟 =
(𝑘𝐿)2

𝜋 2 𝑥 69x109 𝑥7.98𝑥10−12
=
(0.7𝑥0.32)2

=108.31 N

3. Fixed-Fixed End condition (k = 0.5)

 𝜋 2 𝐸𝐼
𝑃𝑐𝑟 =
(𝑘𝐿)2

𝜋 2 𝑥 69x109 𝑥7.98𝑥10−12
=
(0.5𝑥0.32)2

=212.28N

b) Strut Number : 2
Length of strut : 0.37 m
E : 69×109 Nm
𝑏𝑑3
I= 12
(0.0185)(0.00173)3
= 12

=7.98 𝑥 10−12 𝑚4
1. Pinned-Pinned End condition (k = 1.0 )

𝜋 2 𝐸𝐼
𝑃𝑐𝑟 =
(𝑘𝐿)2

𝜋 2 𝑥 69x109 𝑥7.98𝑥10−12
=
(1.0𝑥0.37)2

=39.69 N

2. Pinned-Fixed End condition ( k = 0.7)

𝜋 2 𝐸𝐼
𝑃𝑐𝑟 =
(𝑘𝐿)2

𝜋 2 𝑥 69x109 𝑥7.98𝑥10−12
=
(0.7𝑥0.37)2

=81.01N

3. Fixed-Fixed End condition (k = 0.5)

 𝜋 2 𝐸𝐼
𝑃𝑐𝑟 =
(𝑘𝐿)2

𝜋 2 𝑥 69x109 𝑥7.98𝑥10−12
=
(0.5𝑥0.37)2

=158.78N

c) Strut Number : 2
Length of strut : 0.42 m
E : 69×109 Nm
𝑏𝑑3
I= 12
(0.0185)(0.00173)3
= 12

=7.98 𝑥 10−12 𝑚4
1. Pinned-Pinned End condition (k = 1.0 )

𝜋 2 𝐸𝐼
𝑃𝑐𝑟 =
(𝑘𝐿)2

𝜋 2 𝑥 69x109 𝑥7.98𝑥10−12
=
(1.0𝑥0.42)2

=30.81N

2. Pinned-Fixed End condition ( k = 0.7)

𝜋 2 𝐸𝐼
𝑃𝑐𝑟 =
(𝑘𝐿)2

𝜋 2 𝑥 69x109 𝑥7.98𝑥10−12
=
(0.7𝑥0.42)2

=62.87N

3. Fixed-Fixed End condition (k = 0.5)

 𝜋 2 𝐸𝐼
𝑃𝑐𝑟 =
(𝑘𝐿)2

𝜋 2 𝑥 69x109 𝑥7.98𝑥10−12
=
(0.5𝑥0.42)2

=123.23N

5.0 DISCUSSION

Part 1 :

1) From the Euler buckling equation :

𝜋 2 𝐸𝐼
𝑃𝑐𝑟 =
(𝑘𝐿)2

We can see that 𝜋 2 𝐸𝐼 are values that are constant throughout the entire
experiment,therefore a relationship ca be establishes from this condition ,

1
𝑃𝑐𝑟 ∝
𝐿2

where buckling load 𝑃𝑐𝑟 is inversely proportional to the length of the

strut,L.

2) By referring to the graph of pinned-pinned end condition,pinned-fixed end

condition and fixed-fixed end condition, lines between theoretical and
experimental value are mostly have the same properties.The line were not
exactly on the same point but rather close to each other.
3) At the end of the experrment,the value varies and not even one have the
same value as the theoretical value but rather close.There are several cause
that probably affect the xpermental value such as the properties of the
struts.The same struts were repeatly used for there cases,that will surely
 effect the behavior of the struts.Other than that,error such human fault
nevertheless effect the value. Human faults are in the arrangement of
instrument,incorrect use of instrument and the constant value taker.In the
end ,the results are not suitable to use as a reference but for academic
purposes only.

Part 2 :

1) From the plotted graphs, the gradient were determined.

 Pinned-Pinned End condition

48−17.0
Gradient = 8.5−3.0

= 5.636

 Pinned-Fixed End condition

101−33
Gradient = 9.2−3

= 10.968

 Fixed-Fixed End condition

208−90
Gradient = 9.7−4.2

= 21.455
2)
Pinned-pinned Pinned-fixed Fixed-fixed
Experimental Gradient 5.636 10.968 21.455
Experimental Ratio 1 1.946 3.807
Theoretical ratio 1 2 4

Experimenal ratio :
  Pinned-Pinned End condition

5.636
Experimental ratio = 5.636

= 1

 Pinned-Fixed End condition

10.968
Experimental ratio = 5.636

= 1.946

 Fixed-Fixed End condition

21.455
Experimental ratio = 5.636

= 3.807

Theoroetical ratio :
 Pinned-Pinned End condition

𝜋 2 𝐸𝐼 𝐿2 1
Theoretical ratio = 𝑋 𝑋 𝜋2 𝐸
𝐿2 𝐼

= 1

 Pinned-Fixed End condition

2𝜋 2 𝐸𝐼 𝐿2 1
Theoretical ratio = 𝑋 𝑋 𝜋2 𝐸
𝐿2 𝐼

= 2
  Fixed-Fixed End condition

4𝜋 2 𝐸𝐼 𝐿2 1
Theoretical ratio = 𝑋 𝑋 𝜋2 𝐸
𝐿2 𝐼

= 4

3) The ratio of pinned-pinned to pinned-fixed to fixed-fixed and condtion for theoretical

is 1:2:4,meanwhile for experimental value is 1:1.946:3.807 that were obtained form
the gradient of each graph.From the ratio stated before,the error are small and the
value are closely similar.As ,such error that occurred,the ratios may differ from the
theoretical ratio because of the reasons f error stated in part 1.

6.0 CONCLUSION

A conclusion from the above is that the buckling load of a column may be increased
by changing its material to one with a higher modulus of elasticity (E), or changing the
design of the column's cross section so as to increase its moment of inertia.

Based on the theory value of Buckling of strut, we can consider that when L is
bigger, Pcr will be small, therefore the buckling load and the length of strut is inversely
proportional in linear condition.

As a recommendation,be sure that the struts are in fit condition for the
experiment and not causing any error in the properties of strut.Other than that,the
buckling should immediately stop when constant value is obtained.Lastly,the
arrangement and the tight of struts should screwed well to obtain good results.
7.0 Appendix

Picture 1 :The complete buckle of the strut & the condition when the load start
to apply at the strut

Picture 2 : The struct start to buckle to the left when the load strts to apply