Mechanics of Solids

Columns

Behnam Ferdosi

All Figures in this lecture are from Mechanics of Materials Book by Beer et al. 2012

1
Stability of Structures
• In the design of columns, cross-sectional area is
selected such that
- allowable stress is not exceeded
P
σ= ≤ σ all
A
- deformation falls within specifications
PL
δ= ≤ δ spec
AE

• After these design calculations, may discover

that the column is unstable under loading and
that it suddenly becomes sharply curved or
buckles.

2
Stability of Structures

• Consider model with two rods and torsional

spring. After a small perturbation,
K (2∆θ ) = restoring moment
L L
P sin ∆θ = P ∆θ = destabilizing moment
2 2

• Column is stable (tends to return to aligned

orientation) if
L
P ∆θ < K (2∆θ )
2
4K
P < Pcr =
L

3
Stability of Structures
• Assume that a load P is applied. After a
perturbation, the system settles to a new
equilibrium configuration at a finite
deflection angle.
L
P sin θ = K (2θ )
2
PL P θ
= =
4 K Pcr sin θ

• Noting that sinθ < θ , the assumed

configuration is only possible if P > Pcr.

4
Euler’s Formula for Pin-Ended Beams
• Consider an axially loaded beam.
After a small perturbation, the system
reaches an equilibrium configuration
such that
d2y M P
2
= = − y
dx EI EI

d2y P
2
+ y=0
dx EI

• Solution with assumed configuration

can only be obtained if
π 2 EI
P > Pcr =
L2
P
σ = > σ cr =
( )
π 2 E Ar 2
=
π 2E
2
A L A (L r )2
5
Euler’s Formula for Pin-Ended Beams
• The value of stress corresponding to
the critical load,
π 2 EI
P > Pcr =
L2
P P
σ= > σ cr = cr
A A

σ cr =
( )
π 2 E Ar 2
L2 A
π 2E
= 2
= critical stress
(L r )
L
= slenderness ratio
r

• Preceding analysis is limited to

centric loadings.
6
Extension of Euler’s Formula
• A column with one fixed and one free
end, will behave as the upper-half of a
pin-connected column.

• The critical loading is calculated from

Euler’s formula,
π 2 EI
Pcr =
L2e

π 2E
σ cr =
(Le r )2
Le = 2 L = equivalent length

7
Extension of Euler’s Formula

8
 K Values for Columns

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:ColumnEffectiveLength.png 9
 Example 1
A column of effective length L can be made by gluing together identical planks in either of the arrangements shown. Determine
the ratio of the critical load using the arrangement a to the critical load using the arrangement b.
y
1

2 x

3
Moment of Inertia for Figure (a) respect to x or y axis is calculated as follow:

Therefore, critical load is calculated as follow for the arrangement in Figure (a):

10
 Example 1
A column of effective length L can be made by gluing together identical planks in either of the arrangements shown. Determine
the ratio of the critical load using the arrangement a to the critical load using the arrangement b.
y
Moment of inertia for the rectangle 1 in Figure (b) respect to y
axis is calculated as follow: 1

2 x

Moment of inertia for the rectangle 2 in Figure (b) respect to y

axis is calculated as follow: 3 (b)

Therefore, the critical load for the section in Figure (b) is:

Moment of inertia for the rectangle 3 in Figure (b) respect to y

axis is calculated as follow:

Then, the ratio of critical load of the section in Figure (a) to the critical load of the section in Figure (b) is:

Total moment of inertia of the section in Figure (b) respect to y

axis is :

11
Eccentric Loading; The Secant Formula
• Eccentric loading is equivalent to a centric
load and a couple.
• Bending occurs for any nonzero eccentricity.
Question of buckling becomes whether the
resulting deflection is excessive.
• The deflection become infinite when P = Pcr
d2y − Py − Pe
2
=
dx EI
 π P   π 2 EI
ymax = e sec  − 1
 Pcr =
  2 Pcr   L2e

• Maximum stress
P  ( ymax + e )c 
σ max = 1+
A  r2


P  ec  1 P Le 
= 1 + sec 
A  r 2  2 EA r 
12
Eccentric Loading; The Secant Formula

P  ec  1 P Le 
σ max = σ Y = 1 + 2 sec 
A r  2 EA r 
13
 Example 2
An axial load P=15 kN is applied at point D that is 4 mm from the geometric axis of the square aluminium bar BC. Using E=70
GPa, determine (a) the horizontal deflection of end C, (b) the maximum stress in the column.

Critical load is calculated from following formula:

The equivalent according to Page 10 is:

The moment of inertia respect to x axis is:

Critical load is calculated as follow:

Maximum deflection is calculated using following formula:

Then, the ratio of applied load to the critical load is:

14
 Example 2
Maximum deflection is calculated as follow:

Maximum stress is calculated from following formula:

The relationship between radius of gyration and moment of inertia is:

Then:

Therefore, maximum stress is calculated as follow:

15
 Example 3
Knowing that P=5.2 kN, determine the factor of safety for the structure shown. Use E=200 GPa and consider only buckling in
plane of the structure.
Reaction in Point C is calculated by taking moment about Point A:
Psin70
Pcos70

Ax

Psin70 Ay Cy
Pcos70 Node B is in equilibrium, then the summation of forces in x and y directions should be equal to zero, then, we have:

45 BC
The negative sign shows that the force along BC member should be compressive (we had assumed that the force is
AB tensile, but the result of solution shows that it should be compressive)

The negative sign shows that the force along AB member should be compressive (we had assumed that the force is
tensile, but the result of solution shows that it should be compressive) 16
 Example 3
Node C is in equilibrium, then the summation of forces in x directions should be equal to zero, then, we have:
BC
Psin70
45 Pcos70
AC kN

Cy
The moment of inertias of members AB and BC (circular section) are calculated as follow:
Ax

Ay Cy

Critical loads in members AB and BC are calculated as follow: The safety factor is ratio of critical force to available force in a member, then, we have:

17
 Example 4
A 25-mm-square aluminium strut is maintained in the position shown by a pin support at A and by sets of rollers at B and C that
prevent rotation of the strut in the plane of the figure. Knowing that LAB =1.0 m, LBC =1.25 m, and LCD =0.5 m, determine the
allowable load P using a factor of safety with respect to buckling of 2.8. Consider only buckling in the plane of the figure and
use E=75 GPa.

Equivalent length for different sections of the column in Figure (a)

is calculated based on Figure (b) as follow:

(b)
Moment of inertia for the section is calculated as follow:
Allowable force is critical load divide to the safety factor:

Critical force is calculated as follow:

(a)

18
 Example 5

Axial loads of magnitude P=155 kN are applied parallel to the geometric axis of W250×44.8 rolled-steel column AB and
intersect the axis at a distance e=16mm from its geometric axis. Knowing that 𝜎𝜎𝑌𝑌 = 250 MPa and E=200 GPa, determine the
factor of safety with respect to yield. (Hint Since the factor of safety must be applied to the load P, not to the stresses)

19
Example 6

20
 Group Assignment
A rigid block of mass m can be supported in each of the four ways shown. Each column consists of an aluminium tube that has a
44-mm outer diameter and a 4-mm wall thickness. Using E=70 GPa and a factor of safety of 2.8, determine the allowable mass
for each support condition.

(b)
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