CE 234

STRENGTH OF MATERIALS
CHAPTER 10
Columns
Lecture By: Dr. Özgür KÖYLÜOĞLU, Yeditepe University

Book: Mechanics of Materials, 6th Edition, by Ferdinand P. Beer; E. Russel Johnston, Jr.; John
T. DeWolf, David F. Mazurek, Mc Graw Hill.

Presentation Reference: Lecture Notes by J. Walt Oler, Texas Tech University on Mechanics of
Materials, 3rd Edition, by Ferdinand P. Beer; E. Russel Johnston, Jr.; John T. DeWolf, Mc
Graw Hill.
 Stability of Structures
• In the design of columns, cross-sectional area is selected
such that
- allowable stress is not exceeded
P
s= £ s all
A

- deformation falls within specifications

PL
d= £ d spec
AE

• Although these design criteria are satisfied, we may

still discover that the column becomes unstable under a
certain level of loading and that it suddenly becomes
sharply curved or buckles.
2
Stability of Structures
• Consider a simplified model with two rods AC and BC
connected by a torsional spring of constant K.
• If P and P’ are perfectly aligned the position will be sustained
(stable). But with a small perturbation, forexample if we move
C slightly to the right,the system becomes unstable.
• Now, let’s find when the system becomes unstable.

K (2Dq ) = restoring moment

L L
P sin Dq = P Dq = destabilizing moment
2 2
• Column is stable (tends to return to aligned orientation) if
L
P Dq < K (2Dq )
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 θ
=
4K sin θ
• Substituting 4K P θ
Pcr = =
L Pcr sin θ

• Noting that sinq < q , the assumed configuration is only possible if P > Pcr.
• For P < Pcr the only solution is when q =0.

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
= = - y
dx 2 EI EI

d2y P
+ y=0
dx 2 EI

• General solution of this linear homogeneous

differential equation is:

π 2 EI
Euler’s Formula: Pcr = 2 5
L
Euler’s Formula for Pin-Ended Beams
• Critical stress then becomes:
p 2 EI r2 =
I
P > Pcr = 2
L A
P
s = > s cr =
( )
p 2 E Ar 2
=
p 2E
A 2
L A (L r )2
• Radius of Gyration:
I
r=
A

6
Euler’s Formula for Pin-Ended Beams
• The value of stress corresponding to the critical load,
π 2 EI
P > Pcr = 2
L
P P
σ = > σ cr = cr
A A
π 2E
σ cr = 2
= critical stress
( )
L r
L
= slenderness ratio
r

• Preceding analysis is limited to centric loadings.

7
Extension of Euler’s Formula to Columns with Other End
Conditions
• 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,

p 2 EI
Pcr =
L2e

p 2E
s cr =
(Le r )2
Le = 2 L = equivalent length

8
Extension of Euler’s Formula to Columns with Other
End Conditions

9
Euler’s Formula for Pin-Ended Beams

10
 Sample Problem 10.1
An aluminum column of length L and rectangular cross-section has a fixed
end at B and supports a centric load at A. Two smooth and rounded fixed
plates restrain end A from moving in one of the vertical planes of symmetry
but allow it to move in the other plane.
Determine the ratio a/b of the two sides of the cross-section corresponding
to the most efficient design against buckling.

11
 Sample Problem 10.1
SOLUTION:
The most efficient design occurs when the resistance to buckling is equal in
both planes of symmetry. This occurs when the slenderness ratios are equal.
π 2E
σ cr = 2
(L r)
• Buckling in xy Plane (one end fixed-other pinned):
1 3
2 I z 12 ba a2 a
rz = = = rz =
A ab 12 12
Le, z 0.7 L • Most efficient design:
=
rz a 12 Le, z Le, y
=
rz ry
• Buckling in xz Plane (one end fixed, other free):
1 3 0 .7 L 2L
2 I y 12 ab b2 b =
ry = = = ry = a 12 b / 12
A ab 12 12
Le, y 2L a 0 .7
= =
ry b / 12 b 2
12
 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
é æp P ö ù p 2 EI
ymax = e êsecçç ÷ - 1ú
÷ Pcr =
ë è 2 Pcr ø û L2e

• Maximum stress P M max c P ! ( ymax + e) c $

σ max = + = #1+ &
A I A" r2 %
P ! ec ' 1 P Le *$
= #1+ 2 sec ) ,&
A #" r ( 2 EA r +&% 13
Eccentric Loading; The Secant Formula

P é ec æ 1 P Le öù
s max = s Y = ê1 + secç ÷ú
A ë r 2 çè 2 EA r ÷øû
14
Design of Columns Under Centric Load
• Previous analyses assumed stresses
below the proportional limit and initially
straight, homogeneous columns

• Experimental data demonstrate

- for large Le/r, σcr follows Euler’s
formula and depends upon E but not σY.

- for small Le/r, σcr is determined by the

yield strength σY and not E.

- for intermediate Le/r, σcr depends on

both σY and E.

15
 Design of Columns Under Centric Load
Structural Steel • First Step: Find critical stress
American Inst. of Steel Construction • Equation for portion AB:
σ cr = !"0.658(σ Y /σ e #$σ Y

where π 2E
σe = 2
(L r)
• Equation for portion BC:
σ cr = 0.877σ e
• At point B
L E
= 4.71
• Second Step: Introduce factor of safety
r σY
σ cr
σ all =
1.67
16
Design of Columns Under Centric Load
Aluminum
• Alloy 6061-T6
Le/r < 66:
Aluminum Association σ all = "#20.3− 0.127 ( L / r )$% ksi
= "#140 − 0.874 ( L / r )$% MPa
Le/r > 66:
51400 ksi 354 ×10 3 MPa
σ all = 2
= 2
(L / r) (L / r)
• Alloy 2014-T6
Le/r < 55:
σ all = "#30.9 − 0.229 ( L / r )$% ksi
= "#213−1.577 ( L / r )$% MPa
Le/r > 55:
55400 ksi 382 ×10 3 MPa
σ all = 2
= 2
(L / r) (L / r) 17
 Sample Problem 10.4
Using the aluminum alloy2014-T6, determine the smallest diameter
rod which can be used to support the centric load P = 60 kN if
a) L = 750 mm,
b) L = 300 mm

SOLUTION:
• With the diameter unknown, the slenderness ration can not be
evaluated. Must make an assumption on which slenderness ratio
regime to utilize.

• Calculate required diameter for assumed slenderness ratio regime.

• Evaluate slenderness ratio and verify initial assumption. Repeat if

necessary.

18
 Sample Problem 10.4
• For L = 750 mm, assume L/r > 55

• Determine cylinder radius:

P 382 ×10 3 MPa
σ all = = 2
A (L r)
60 ×10 3 N 382 ×10 3 MPa
= 2
c = 18.31mm
π c2 " 0.750 m %
$ '
# c/2 &

• Check slenderness ratio assumption:

c = cylinder radius
L L 750mm
r = radius of gyration = = = 81.9 > 55
r c / 2 (18.31 mm ) / 2
I pc 4 4 c assumption was correct
= = =
A pc 2 2
d = 2c = 36.6 mm
19
Sample Problem 10.4
• For L = 300 mm, assume L/r < 55

• Determine cylinder radius:

P ( " L %+
σ all = = *213−1.577 $ '- MPa
A ) # r &,
60 ×10 3 N ( " 0.3 m %+ 6
2
= * 213−1.577 $ '- ×10 Pa
πc ) # c / 2 &,
c = 11.95mm

• Check slenderness ratio assumption:

L L 300 mm
= = = 50.2 < 55
r c / 2 (11.95 mm ) / 2

assumption was correct

d = 2c = 23.9 mm
20
Design of Columns Under an Eccentric Load
• An eccentric load P can be replaced by a centric load P and
a couple M = Pe.

• Normal stresses can be found from superposing the stresses

due to the centric load and couple,
s = s centric + s bending
P Mc
s max = +
A I
• Method I: Allowable stress method

P Mc
+ £ s all (From buckling design)
A I
• Method II: Interaction method
P A Mc I
+ £1
(s all )centric (s all )bending 21