BUCKLING ANALYSIS

ü Understand the behavior of columns and concept of

critical load and buckling
ü Determine the axial load needed to buckle a so-called
‘ideal’ column
ü Determine the ‘effective length’ of a column with
various end-conditions
ü Design a realistic column against buckling
CRITICAL LOAD
• Long slender members subjected to an axial
compressive force are called columns, and the lateral
deflection that occurs is called buckling.
• The maximum axial load that a column can support
when it is on the verge of buckling is called the critical
load.
CRITICAL LOAD (cont)

• From the free-body diagram:

2 P tan q = F = k × D = kq (L / 2)
• For small θ, tan ≈ θ,
2 Pq = kq (L / 2 )
Pcr = kL / 4 (independent of q )
 CRITICAL LOAD (cont)

This loading (Pcr = kL/4)

represents a case of the
mechanism being in neutral
equilibrium. Since Pcr is
independent of θ, any slight
disturbance given to the
mechanism will not cause it to
move further out of equilibrium,
nor will it be restored to its
original position. Instead, the
bars will remain in the deflected
position (BUCKLING).
 IDEAL COLUMN
• Ideal column
– It is perfectly straight before loading
– Both ends are pin-supported
– Loads are applied throughout the centroid of the cross
section

• Behavior
– When P < Pcr, the column remains straight.
– When
d 2 vP = Pcr,
EI 2
= M = - Pv
dx
d 2v æ P ö
2
+ ç ÷v = 0
dx è EI ø
æ P ö æ P ö
ç
v = C1 sin ç x ÷ + C2 cosçç
÷ x ÷÷
è EI ø è EI ø
IDEAL COLUMN (cont)
• Since v = 0 at x = 0, then C2 = 0

æ P ö
• Since v = 0 at x = L, then C1 sinçç L ÷÷ = 0
è EI ø
æ P ö
• Therefore, sinçç L ÷÷ = 0
è EI ø
æ P ö
• Which is satisfied if sinçç L ÷÷ = np
è EI ø
n 2p 2 EI
• Or P= 2
where n = 1,2,3,...
L
IDEAL COLUMN (cont)
p 2 EI
• Smallest value at P is when n = 1, thus Pcr = 2
L
p 2E
• Corresponding stress is s cr =
(KL / r )
2
EULER
LOAD
• Where r = 𝐼/𝐴 is called ‘radius of gyration’
• (L/r) is called the ‘slenderness ratio’.

• The critical-stress curves are

hyperbolic, valid only for σcr
is below yield stress

EULER LOAD is the Euler

buckling equation for pin-
supported long slender column
 IDEAL
COLUMN WITH PIN COLUMN
SUPPORTS (cont)
663

P
b
It is also important to realize that
a
a column will buckle about the
b
a principal axis of the cross
section having the least moment
13
of inertia (the weakest axis).
For example, a column having a
rectangular cross section, like a
meter stick, as shown in Fig.
13–6, will buckle about the a–a
axis, not the b–b axis.

Fig. 13–6
EXAMPLE 1
The A-36 steel W200 46 member shown in Fig. 13–8 is to be
used as a pin-connected column. Determine the largest axial
load it can support before it either begins to buckle or the steel
yields. (Yield stress, s Y = 250 MPa )
EXAMPLE 1 (cont)
Solutions
• From Appendix B,

A = 5890 mm 2 , I x = 45.5 ´106 mm 4 , I y = 15.3 ´106 mm 4

• By inspection, buckling will occur about the y–y axis (weakest axis).
p 2 EI p 2 (200 ´106 )(15.3 ´10 4 )(1 / 1000)4
Pcr = = = 1887.6 kN
L2 42
• When fully loaded, the average compressive stress in the column is
Pcr 1887.6 ´1000
s cr = = = 320.5 N/mm 2 > 𝜎!
A 5890
• Since this stress exceeds the yield stress, column will fail due to yielding:

P
250 = Þ P = 1472.5 kN = 1.47 MN (Ans)
5890
COLUMNS HAVING VARIOUS END-CONDITIONS

• Consider the moment-deflection equation for the

cantilevered column, which is fixed at the base.
d 2v
EI 2 = P(d - v )
dx
P
EIV + l2 v = l2d where l2 =
EI

• The solution is v = C1 sin (lx ) + C2 cos(lx ) + d

• Since v = 0 at x = 0, so that C2 = -d

• Also, v' = C1l cos(lx ) - C2 l sin (lx )

• Since v’ = 0 at x = 0, so that C1 = 0
COLUMNS HAVING VARIOUS END-CONDITIONS
(cont)
• Hence v = d [1 - cos(lx )]x = 0

• Since v = d at x = L, thus
d cos(lL ) = 0
np
Þ cos(lL ) = 0 or lL =
2
• The smallest critical load
occurs when n = 1, thus
p 2 EI p 2 EI
Pcr = or Pcr = (with K = 2)
4L 2
(KL )2

• K is called the ‘effective-length factor’

COLUMNS HAVING VARIOUS END-CONDITIONS
(cont)
• K for various end conditions:
EXAMPLE 2
A W150-24 steel column is 8 m long and is fixed at its ends as
shown in Fig. (a). Its load-carrying capacity is increased by
bracing it about the y–y (weak) axis using struts that are
assumed to be pin connected to its mid-height. Determine the
load it can support so that the column does not buckle nor the
material exceed the yield stress. Take Est = 200 GPa and σY =
410 MPa.

Buckling about
y-y axis
Buckling about
x-x axis
EXAMPLE 2 (cont)
Solutions
• Effective length for buckling about the x–x and y–y axis is

(KL )x = 0.5(8) = 4 m = 4000 mm

(KL )y = 0.7(8 / 2) = 2.8 m = 2800 mm
• From the table in Appendix B,

( )
I x = 13.4 106 mm 4
Iy = 1.83(10 ) mm
6 4

• Applying Eq. 13–11,

p 2 EI x p 2 (200)[13.4(106 )]
(Pcr )x = = = 1653.2 kN (1)
(KL ) 2
x
4000 2

p 2 EI y p 2 (200)[1.83(106 )]
(Pcr )y = = = 460.8 kN (2)
(KL ) 2
y
2800 2
EXAMPLE 2 (cont)
Solutions
• By comparison, buckling will occur about the y–y axis.

• The average compressive stress in the column is

Pcr 460.8(103 )
s cr = = = 150.6 N/mm 2 = 150.6 MPa
A 3060

• Since this stress is less than the yield stress,

buckling will occur before the material yields.

• Thus, Pcr = 461 kN (Ans)

• It can be seen that buckling will always

occur about the column axis having the largest
slenderness ratio, since it will give a small critical stress
SECANT FORMULA

• For design of a column subjected to eccentric load,

consider the moment-curvature equation
SECANT FORMULA

• For design of a column subjected to eccentric load,

consider the moment-curvature equation
EIv' ' = M = - P(e + v )
P
or v' '+l v' ' = -l e where l =
2 2 2

EI
• The solution is v = C1 sin (lx ) + C2 cos(lx ) - e

• Since v = 0 at x = 0, so C2 = e
æ lL ö æ lL ö æ lL ö
• Since 1 - cos(lx ) = 2 sin 2ç ÷ and sin (lx ) = 2 sin 2ç ÷ cosç ÷
è 2 ø è 2 ø è 2 ø
æ lL ö
• So, C1 = e tanç ÷
è 2 ø
SECANT FORMULA (cont)
é ælö ù
• Hence, v = e ê tanç ÷ sin (lx ) + cos(lx ) - 1ú
ë è2ø û
• And vmax x = L 2 = e[sec(l 2 ) - 1]

• Note: A nonlinear relationship occurs between the load

P and the deflection v. As a result, the principle of
superposition does not apply here.
SECANT FORMULA (cont)

• Maximum moment occurs at the column’s midpoint, i.e.

æ P Lö
M = P(e + vmax ) or M = Pe secçç ÷
÷
è EI 2 ø
• Hence the maximum stress is
(THIS IS KNOWN AS THE SECANT FORMULA)

P Mc P Pe × c æ P Le ö
s max = + = + secçç ÷÷
A I A I è EI 2 ø
P é ec æç KL æ P ö ö÷ù
Or, s max = ê1 + 2 secç ç ÷ ÷ú
A êë r r
è 2 è EA ø øúû
SECANT FORMULA (cont)
• s max= maximum elastic stress in the column, which occurs at the inner
concave side at the column’s midpoint: this stress is compressive
• P = vertical load applied to the column
• e = eccentricity of the load P, measured from the centroidal axis of the
column’s cross-sectional area to the line of action of P
• c = distance from the centroidal axis to the outer fiber of the column where
the maximum compressive stress s max occurs
• A = cross sectional area of the column
• L = length of the column
• K = effective-length factor
• E = modulus of elasticity for the material
• r = radius of gyration, r = I , where I is calculated about the centroidal or
bending axis A
SECANT FORMULA (cont)

Design curves:
• The above equation for maximum stress s max is
transcendental, and cannot be solved explicitly.
• Graphs to aid designer are available.
EXAMPLE 3
The W200 x 59 A-36 steel column shown in Fig. 13–17a is fixed
at its base and braced at the top so that it is fixed from
displacement, yet free to rotate about the y–y axis. Also, it can
sway to the side in the y–z plane. Determine the maximum
eccentric load the column can support before it either begins to
buckle or the steel yields.

Buckling about
y-y axis

Buckling about
x-x axis
EXAMPLE 3 (cont)
Solutions
• For y–y axis buckling, it is subjected to an axial load P.
p 2 EI y p 2 (200 ´103 )(20.4 ´106 )
(Pcr )y = = = 5136 kN
(KL ) 2
y
2800 2

• For x–x axis yielding (eccentric loading), it is subjected to an axial load P

and moment M. Therefore we need to use the secant formula:

P é ec æ (KL )x Px öù
sY = x ê1 + 2 secçç ÷ú
A ëê rx è 2rx EA ÷øûú
[ (
1.895 ´106 = Px 1 + 2.598 sec 1.143 ´10 -3 Px )]
Px = 419368 N = 419.4 kN (Ans)

(By trial and error)

ALLOWABLE STRESS IN DESIGN PRACTICE
• Practically, columns are not perfectly straight as
assumed in theory. By performing experimental tests
on a large number of axially loaded columns, the
results may be plotted and a design formula developed
by curve-fitting the mean of the data.

• Note: The experimental curve is similar to that

determined from the secant formula. It accounts for the
influence of an “accidental” eccentricity ratio on the
column’s strength.
ALLOWABLE STRESS IN DESIGN PRACTICE
• For steel columns :(by AISC- American Institute of
Steel Construction)

1 p 2E
sY =
2 (KL r )c2
æ KL ö 2p 2 E
ç ÷ = (Eq. 13-22)
è r øc sY
c
é ( KL r ) ù
2
s
ê1 - 2ú Y
ë 2(KL r )c û (Eq. 13-23)
s allow =
{ [
(5 3) + [(3 8)(KL r ) / (KL r )c ] - (KL r )3 / 8(KL r )3c ]}
12p 2 E æ KL ö KL (Eq. 13-21)
s allow = for ç ÷ £ £ 200
23(KL r )
2
è r øc r
 ALLOWABLE STRESS IN DESIGN PRACTICE
• For aluminum columns: (by Aluminum Association)
KL
s allow = 195 MPa 0 £ £ 12 (Eq. 13-24)
r
é æ KL öù KL (Eq. 13-25)
s allow = ê214.5 - 1.628ç ÷ú MPa 12 £ £ 55
ë è r øû r
378125 KL
s allow = 55 £ (Eq. 13-26)
(KL r )2 r
 ALLOWABLE STRESS IN DESIGN PRACTICE
• For timber columns: (by NFPA – National Forest
Products Association)
KL
s allow = 8.25 MPa 0 £ £ 11 (Eq. 13-27)
d
é æ 1 öæ KL / d ö 2 ù KL
s allow » 8.25ê1 - ç ÷ç ÷ ú MPa 11 £ £ 26 (Eq. 13-28)
êë è 3 øè 26.0 ø úû d
3718 MPa KL
s allow = 26 £ £ 50 (Eq. 13-29)
(KL d ) 2
d

For timber with rectangular cross

section of dimensions b and d,
where d is the smallest
dimension of the cross section
EXAMPLE 5
An A-36 steel W250 x 149 member is used as a pin-supported
column, Fig. 13–24. Using the AISC column design formulas,
determine the largest load that it can safely support.
EXAMPLE 5 (cont)
Solutions
From Appendix B, A = 19000 mm rx = 117 mm ry = 67.4 mm
2
•
KL 1(5000 )
• Since K = 1 for both x and y axis buckling, = = 74.18
r 67.4
• From Eq. 13–22, we have
æ KL ö
ç ÷ =
2p 2 E
=
(
2p 2 200 ´103)= 125.66
è r øc sY 250

• Here 0 < KL / r < (KL / r )c , so we use Eq. 13-23

é ( KL r ) ù
2

s
ê1 - 2ú Y

= ë 2(KL r )c û = 110.85 MPa

sallow
{ [
(5 3) + [(3 8)(KL r ) / (KL r )c ] - (KL r ) / 8(KL r )c
3 3
]}
• The allowable load P on the column is therefore
P P
s allow = ; 110.85 = Þ P = 2106 kN (Ans)
A 19000
DESIGN OF COLUMNS FOR ECCENTRIC LOADING

• Method 1: Use available column formula

P Mc
(Eq. 13-30) s max = + where M = Pe such that σmax ≤ σallow
A I

• Method 2: Use Interaction Formula (Eq. 13-31)

sa sb
+ £ 1 where σa denotes the stress due to axial load,
(s a )allow (s b )allow σb denotes the stress due to bending
EXAMPLE 6
The column in Fig. 13–29 is made of aluminum alloy 2014-T6
and is used to support an eccentric load P. Determine the
maximum magnitude of P that can be supported if the column is
fixed at its base and free at its top. Use Eq. 13–30.
EXAMPLE 6 (cont)
Solutions
• Fixed-free support, so K = 2.The largest slenderness ratio for the column
is therefore KL 1600
= = 277.1
r [ ]
(1 / 12)(80)(40) /[(40)80]
3

• By inspection, Eq. 13–26 must be used (277.1 > 55). Thus,

378125 378125
s allow = = = 4.92 MPa
(KL / r ) (277.1)
2 2

• The maximum compressive stress in the column is determined from the

combination of axial load and bending.
P (Pe )c
s max = + = 0.00078125 P
A I
• Assuming that this stress is uniform over the cross section, we require

s allow = s max ; 4.92 = 0.00078125P Þ P = 6.30 kN (Ans)

EXAMPLE 7
The timber column in Fig. 13–31 is made from two boards
nailed together so that the cross section has the dimensions
shown. If the column is fixed at its base and free at its top, use
Eq. 13–30 to determine the eccentric load P that can be
supported.
EXAMPLE 7 (cont)
Solutions
• Since K = 2, KL = 2(1200 ) = 40
d 60

• Since 26 < KL/d < 50, the allowable axial stress is

3718 3718
s allow = = = 2.324 MPa
(KL / d ) 40
2 2

• With σallow = σmax,

P Mc
s allow = +
A I
2.324 =
P
+
( Pe )c
60(120 ) (1 12 )(600 )(120 )3
P = 3.35 kN (Ans)