CE2155 Structural Mechanics and Materials

Stability of Compression Members

by
Assoc Professor T. H. Wee
Department of Civil Engineering
Email: cveweeth@nus.edu.sg

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 a
column can support when
on the verge of buckling is
called the critical load, Pcr.

CE2155 Structural Mechanics and Materials

Critical Load
Consider a two-bar mechanism consisting of rigid bars that are
pin connected at their ends, and a spring of stiffness, k.
When a small vertical
force P is applied at
the
top,
the
equilibrium can be
upset by displacing
the pin by a small
amount .
When the bars are
displaced, the spring
will
produce
a
restoring force

F=k
CE2155 Structural Mechanics and Materials

Critical Load
The applied load P develops two horizontal components Px =
P tan which tend to push the pin A further out of equilibrium.
For equilibrium,
2 P tan < k
Since is small, (L / 2),
and tan , hence
2 P < k (L / 2)
which gives

P<

kL
4

This is a condition for stable

equilibrium since the force

developed by the spring would

be adequate to restore the
bars back to their vertical
position.

CE2155 Structural Mechanics and Materials

Critical Load
On the other hand, if 2 P > k (L / 2), or

P>

kL
4

then the mechanism would be in unstable equilibrium.

In other words, if this load P is applied, and a slight
displacement occurs at A, the mechanism will tend to move
out of equilibrium and not be restored to its original position.
The intermediate value of P, defined by requiring
2 P = k (L / 2) is the critical load. Here

Pcr =

kL
4

This loading represents a case of the mechanism being in

neutral equilibrium.

CE2155 Structural Mechanics and Materials

Critical Load
Since Pcr is independent of the displacement of the bar, any
slight disturbance given to the mechanism will not cause it to
move further out of equilibrium nor will it restore to its
original position. Instead the bar will remain in the deflected
position
The transition point where the load
is equal to the critical load P = Pcr is
called
the
bifurcation
point.
Physically Pcr represents the load for
which the mechanism is on the
verge of buckling.
Like the two-bar mechanism, the
critical buckling loads on columns
supported in various ways can also
be obtained.
CE2155 Structural Mechanics and Materials

Critical Load
In the derivation of the
critical
load,
the
equilibrium of the column
was upset by displacing
the pin by a small amount
.
In reality, the eccentricity
in loading, homogeneity
in the material and
regularity in the crosssection of a column is
never perfect.
This
imperfection
inherently results in the
column being upset by a
lateral displacement, v.
CE2155 Structural Mechanics and Materials

Column with Pin Supports

Consider a perfectly straight column made of homogeneous
material with applied load P through the centroid of the cross
section.
When the critical load Pcr is
reached, the column is on the
verge of becoming unstable.
Whether or not the column will
remain stable or become unstable
when subjected to an axial load
will depend on its ability to
restore itself, which is based on
its resistance to bending (similar
to the restoring action of the
spring).

CE2155 Structural Mechanics and Materials

Relationship between Internal Moment and

Deflected Shape
When the internal moment M
deforms the element of a beam,
the angle between the cross
sections becomes d, as shown
in the figure.
The arc dx represents a portion
of the elastic curve that
intersects the neutral axis for
each cross section.
The radius of curvature for this
arc is defined as the distance ,
which is measured from the
centre of curvature O to dx.
Any arc on this element other
than dx is subjected to a
normal strain.

CE2155 Structural Mechanics and Materials

Relationship between Internal Moment and

Deflected Shape
The strain in arc ds, located at a
position y from the neutral axis, is

=
However

and so

=
or

(ds ds)
ds

ds = dx = d and
ds = ( y )d

[d ( y )d]
d

1
=
y
CE2155 Structural Mechanics and Materials

Relationship between Internal Moment and

Deflected Shape
If the material is homogeneous and
behaves in a linear-elastic manner,
then Hooks law applies

Also, since
applies

the

flexural

formula

My
I

Combining the above equations and

thereafter substituting into

we have

1
=
y

1 M
=
EI
CE2155 Structural Mechanics and Materials

Relationship between Internal Moment and

Deflected Shape
The elastic curve for a beam can be expressed
mathematically as v = f(x). To obtain this equation, we must
first represent the curvature (1/) in terms of v and x. In
most calculus books it is shown that this relationship is

1
=

d 2v
dx 2
dv
1 +
dx

3
2

since

1 M
=
EI
CE2155 Structural Mechanics and Materials

Relationship between Internal Moment and

Deflected Shape
Therefore we can write

M
=
EI

d 2v
dx 2
dv
1 +
dx

3
2

Consequently, the slope of the elastic curve, which is

determined from dv/dx will be very small, and its square will
be negligible compared with unity. Therefore the above
equation simplifies to

M d v
= 2
EI dx

or

d 2v
EI 2 = M
dx

CE2155 Structural Mechanics and Materials

Column with Pin Supports

To determine the critical load of the column, the equation which
relates the internal moment to its deflected shape is considered:

d 2v
EI 2 = M
dx
When the column is in its
deflected position, the internal
bending
moment
can
be
determined using the method of
sections as

M = Pv

Equating moments, therefore

d 2v
EI 2 = Pv
dx
CE2155 Structural Mechanics and Materials

Column with Pin Supports

EI

d 2v
= Pv
dx 2

d 2v P
+
v = 0
dx 2 EI
and the general solution is

P
P
v = C1 sin
x + C 2 cos
x
EI
EI

The two constants of integration

are
determined
from
the
boundary conditions at the ends
of the column.
CE2155 Structural Mechanics and Materials

Column with Pin Supports

Since v = 0 at x = 0, then C2 = 0.
And since v = 0 at x = L, then

P
C1 sin
L = 0
EI

C1 = 0 is trivial since it requires

the column to always remain
straight even when column
becomes unstable. Therefore,

P
sin
L = 0
EI
CE2155 Structural Mechanics and Materials

Column with Pin Supports

P
L = 0
sin
EI

is satisfied if

P
L = n
EI
or

n 2 2 EI
P=
L2

n = 1, 2 , 3,.....
CE2155 Structural Mechanics and Materials

Column with Pin Supports

n 2 2 EI
P=
L2

n = 1, 2 , 3,.....

The smallest value of P is obtained

when n = 1, so the critical load for
the column is therefore:

2 EI

Pcr = 2
(sometimes
L
referred
to as Euler formula and Euler load.)

Note that n represents the number

of waves in the deflected shape of
the column. For example, if n = 2,
then two waves will appear in the
buckled shape and the column will
support a critical load that is 4Pcr
just prior to buckling.
CE2155 Structural Mechanics and Materials

Column with Pin Supports

It is important to realise that column will buckle about the
weakest axis (least moment of inertia).
In addition, the critical stress, which is the average stress in
the column just before the column buckles should be less than
the yield stress, otherwise yielding precedes. The critical
stress cr is given by
2

cr =

Pcr
E
=
A (L / r )2

where r is the smallest radius of gyration of the column

determined from

r= I/A

and I is the least moment of inertia of the columns crosssectional area A.

CE2155 Structural Mechanics and Materials

Example Problem:
The A-36 steel W200 X 46 member 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. Y = 250 MPa.

Solution:
2
6
4
6
4
From Appendix B, A = 5890 mm , I x = 45.5 10 mm , I y = 15.3 10 mm

By inspection, buckling will occur about the yy axis.

Pcr =

2 EI
2

2 (200 106 )(15.3 104 )(1 / 1000)4

42

= 1887.6 kN

When fully loaded, the average compressive stress in

the column is

Pcr 1887.6 1000

=
= 320.5 N/mm2
5890
A
Since this stress exceeds the yield stress,
P
250 =
P = 1472.5 kN (Ans)
5890

cr =

Largest axial load = 1472.5 kN and failure will take place by yielding.
CE2155 Structural Mechanics and Materials

Columns with Various Types of Supports

Euler formula was developed for the case of a column having
ends that are pinned.
L in the equation represents the unsupported distance
between the points of zero moment.
If the column is supported in other ways, then Eulers formula
can be used to determine the critical load provided L
represents the distance between zero-moment points. The
distance is called the columns effective length, Le and can be
obtained from

Le = K L

where K is a dimensionless coefficient called effective-length

factor. Therefore

Pcr =

2 EI

(KL)2

Pcr
2E
cr =
=
A (KL / r )2
CE2155 Structural Mechanics and Materials

Effective Length of Columns with Various Types

of Supports

CE2155 Structural Mechanics and Materials

Example Problem:
The aluminium column is fixed at its bottom and is braced at its
top by cables so as to prevent movement at the top along the x
axis. If it is assumed to be fixed at its base, determine the largest
allowable load P that can be applied.
Use a factor of safety for buckling
of FS = 3.0.
Take Eal = 70GPa,
Y = 215MPa,
A = 7.5(10-3)m2,
Ix = 61.3(10-6)m4,
Iy = 23.2(10-6)m4.

CE2155 Structural Mechanics and Materials

Example Problem:
Solution

For xx axis buckling, K = 2,

(KL)x = 2(5) = 10 m
For yy axis buckling, K = 0.7,

(KL )y = 0.7(5) = 3.5 m

The critical loads for each case are

(P cr )x = EI2
(KL )x
2

= 424 kN , (P cr )y =

2 EI

(KL )2y

= 1.31 MN

The allowable load and critical stress are

Pcr 424
=
= 141 kN
FS 3.0
P
424
cr = cr =
= 56.5 MPa < 215 MPa
A 7.5 103
Pallow =

( )

Allowable load = 141 kN and failure will occur about the x-x axis by
buckling.
CE2155 Structural Mechanics and Materials

Example Problem:

CE2155 Structural Mechanics and Materials

Example Problem (Solution)

CE2155 Structural Mechanics and Materials

Example Problem (Solution)

CE2155 Structural Mechanics and Materials

Example Problem (Solution)

cr =

Pcr
2E
=
A (KL / r )2

CE2155 Structural Mechanics and Materials

Column with Eccentric Loading

Unlike

Secant

into

Euler formula,
formula takes

consideration

the

eccentric loading in a
column.

Consider a load P is
applied to a column at a
short eccentric distance,
e from the centroid of
the cross-section. This
loading on the column is
statically equivalent to
the axial load P and
bending moment M =
Pe.

CE2155 Structural Mechanics and Materials

Column with Eccentric Loading

From the free body diagram of the
arbitrary section, the internal moment in
the column is

M = P (e + v )

The differential equation

deflection curve is therefore

d 2v
EI 2 = P (e + v )
dx

or

for

the

d 2v P
P
+
v=
e
2
dx
EI
EI

and has a general solution as

v = C1 sin

P
P
x + C 2 cos
x e
EI
EI
CE2155 Structural Mechanics and Materials

Column with Eccentric Loading

P
P
x + C 2 cos
x e
EI
EI

v = C1 sin

Applying boundary condition;

x = 0, v = 0, so C2 = e
x = L, v = 0, which gives

C1 =

)]

P L
e 1 cos P / EI L

= e tan

2
EI
sin P / EI L

Hence, the deflection curve can be written

as

P L

sin P x + cos P x 1
v = e tan

EI
EI
EI 2

CE2155 Structural Mechanics and Materials

Column with Eccentric Loading

Maximum Deflection
Due to symmetry of loading, both the
maximum deflection and maximum stress
occur as the columns midpoint. Therefore,
when x = L / 2, v = vmax, so substituting x
= L / 2 into

P L

sin P x + cos P x 1
v = e tan

EI
EI
EI 2

the vmax can be found as

P L
1
v max = e sec

EI
2


CE2155 Structural Mechanics and Materials

Column with Eccentric Loading

The Secant Formula
The maximum stress in the column
can be determined by realizing that
it is caused by both the axial load
and the moment.
Maximum moment occurs at the
columns midpoint and it has a
magnitude of

M = P (e + v max )
Substituting vmax;

P L

M = Pe sec

EI 2
CE2155 Structural Mechanics and Materials

Column with Eccentric Loading

The Secant Formula
The maximum stress in the
compressive and it has a value of

max =

P My
+
A I

max =

P L
P Pey

+
sec

A
I
EI 2

column

is

Since the radius of gyration is defined as r2 = I /

A, the secant formula is derived as

max =

L
P ey
1 + 2 sec
A r
2r

EA

CE2155 Structural Mechanics and Materials

Column with Eccentric Loading

The Secant Formula

max
max
P
e
y
A
L
E
r

L
P ey
= 1 + 2 sec
A r
2r

EA

maximum elastic stress in the column

vertical load applied to the column
eccentricity of the load P
distance from the neutral axis
cross sectional area of the column
unsupported length of the column in the plane of
bending. For supports other than pins, the effective
length (Le) should be used.
= modulus of elasticity for the material
= radius of gyration
=
=
=
=
=
=

CE2155 Structural Mechanics and Materials

Example Problem:
The W200 X 59 A-36 steel column is fixed at its base and braced
at the top so that it is fixed from displacement, yet free to
rotate about the yy axis. Also, it can sway to the side in the yz
plane. Determine the maximum eccentric load the column can
support before it either begins to buckle or the steel yields.
Given in steel table for
W200 X 59 A-36
column:
Ix = 61.2 x 106 mm4
Iy = 20.4 x 106 mm4
A = 7580 mm2
rx = 89.9 mm
ry = 51.9 mm
depth, d = 210
E = 200 x 103 MPa
Y = 250 MPa
CE2155 Structural Mechanics and Materials

Example Problem:
Solution:
From the support conditions it is seen that about the y-y axis the column
behaves as if it were pinned at its top and fixed at the bottom. About the
x-x axis the column is free at the top and fixed at the bottom, and it is
subjected to both axial load P and moment M = P(200mm).

For yy axis buckling,

it is subjected to an
axial load P.
Ky = 0.7

(Pcr )y =

2 EI y

(KL)

2
y

2 (200 103 )(20.4 106 )

(0.7 4000)2

= 5136 kN

CE2155 Structural Mechanics and Materials

Example Problem:
Solution:
For xx axis yielding, it is subjected to
an axial load P and moment M. Kx = 2
Y =

250 =

Px
A

ey
(KL)x
1 + 2 sec
rx
2rx

Px

EA

Px 200 105 (2 4000)

Px

sec
1 +
2
3

89.9
7580
2 89.9 210 10 7580

1.895 106 = Px 1 + 2.598 sec 1.143 10 3 Px

)]

Solving for Px by trial and error,

Px = 419368 N = 419.4 kN (Ans)

Pcr 419.4 103

=
= 55.3 MPa < Y = 250 MPa
A
7580

Failure will occur about the x-x axis by buckling.

CE2155 Structural Mechanics and Materials

R. C. Hibbeler
Mechanics
of
Materials" (7th SI
edition) Prentice
Hall 2008
CE2155 Structural Mechanics and Materials

CE2155 Structural Mechanics and Materials