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The document discusses Euler's column formula for calculating the critical buckling load of columns with different end conditions. It provides the formula, defines the variables, and gives factors for different end conditions. An example problem calculates the buckling load of an aluminum I-beam column fixed at both ends.

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Trushar Ghosalkar
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248 views

Start Download: Euler's Column Formula

The document discusses Euler's column formula for calculating the critical buckling load of columns with different end conditions. It provides the formula, defines the variables, and gives factors for different end conditions. An example problem calculates the buckling load of an aluminum I-beam column fixed at both ends.

Uploaded by

Trushar Ghosalkar
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Euler's Column Formula

Buckling of columns
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Columns fail by buckling when their critical load is reached. Long columns can be analysed with the Euler column formula

F = n π2 E I / L2 (1)

where

F = allowable load (lb, N)

n = factor accounting for the end conditions

E = modulus of elastisity (lb/in2, Pa (N/m2))

L = length of column (in, m)

I = Moment of inertia (in4, m4)

Factor Counting for End Conditions


column pivoted in both ends : n = 1
both ends fixed : n = 4
one end fixed, the other end rounded : n = 2
one end fixed, one end free : n = 0.25

Note!
Equation (1) is sometimes expressed with a k factor accounting for the end conditions:

F = π2 E I / (k L)2 (1b)

where

k = (1 / n)1/2 factor accounting for the end conditions

n 1 4 2 0.25
k 1 0.5 0.7 2

Example - A Column Fixed in both Ends


An column with length 5 m is fixed in both ends. The column is made of an Aluminium I-beam 7 x 4 1/2 x 5.80 with a Moment of Inertia iy =

5.78 in4. The Modulus of Elasticity of aluminum is 69 GPa (69 109 Pa) and the factor for a column fixed in both ends is 4.

The Moment of Inertia can be converted to metric units like

Iy = 5.78 in4 (0.0254 m/in)4

= 241 10-8 m4

The Euler buckling load can then be calculated as

F = (4) π2 (69 109 Pa) (241 10-8 m4) / (5 m)2

= 262594 N

= 263 kN

Slenderness Ratio
The term "L/r" is known as the slenderness ratio. L is the length of the column and r is the radiation of gyration for the column.

higher slenderness ratio - lower critical stress to cause buckling


lower slenderness ratio - higher critical stress to cause buckling

slenderness ratios L/r < 40: "short columns" where failure mode is crushing (yielding)
slenderness ratios 40 < L/r < 120: "intermediate columns" where failure mode is a combination of crushing (yielding) and buckling
slenderness ratio of 120 < L/r < 200: "long columns" where failure mode is buckling
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