STRENGTH OF MATERIALS
Module-5
Columns & Struts
COLUMNS AND STRUTS
A vertical member of a building frame or any structural system which
carries compressive load is called a column.
A structural member of a truss subjected to compressive force is called
strut. Struts are short compression members compared to columns.
Struts may be inclined, vertical or horizontal.
Strut
• A structural member subjected
to axial compressive force is
called strut.
• Strut may be vertical, horizontal
or inclined.
• The cross – sectional dimensions
of strut are small.
• Normally, struts carry smaller
compressive loads.
• Struts are used in roof truss and
bridge trusses.
Column
• When strut is vertical it is known as
column.
• The cross – sectional dimensions of
column are large.
• Normally, columns carry heavy
compressive loads.
• Columns are used in concrete and
steel buildings.
Failure of a column or strut
If a column or strut of cross sectional area A is subjected to an axial
force P, then a compressive stress σc is induced. Here σ c = P/A.
If the magnitude of P is increased, the compressive stress reaches the
Ultimate Crushing Value (Stress) σcr
If the stress developed exceeds Ultimate Crushing Value (Stress), the
column will fail by crushing.
The load corresponding to the crushing stress is called crushing load.
For safety the column should be loaded within the crushing stress value.
The factor of safety against crushing is given as F O S = σ cr / σ c
Therefore the maximum load that can be applied on a column is given as
P=σc.A
It is observed that sometimes a compression member does not fail
entirely by crushing, but also fails by buckling (bending).
Crushing failure is seen in short columns and buckling failure is seen
in long columns.
The load at which a column just buckles is called buckling load or
crippling load.
The buckling load is lesser than crushing load.
C
. rushing Load :
The load at which, short column fails by crushing is called
crushing load
Crippling Load / Buckling Load :
The load at which, long column starts buckling(bending) is
called buckling load or crippling load.
It depends upon the following factors.
o Amount of load.
o Length of column
o End condition of column
o C/s dimensions of column
o Material of column.
Long Columns and Short Columns
Long Column :-
• When length of column is more as compared to its c/s dimension, it
is called long column.
• Steel columns in which the slenderness ratio is greater than 80 are
called as long columns.
Le/kmin > 80
For mild steel λ > 80 is called long column.
Short Column:-
• When length of column is less as compared to its c/s dimension, it
is called Short column.
• Steel columns in which the slenderness ratio is lesser than 80 are
called as short columns.
Le/kmin < 80
For mild steel λ < 80 is called
column.
Radius of Gyration ( K ) :
The distance from the given axis at which if all small elements
of lamina placed, the M.I. Of the lamina about the axis does not
changed. This distance is called radius of gyration.
k = √(I/A) or I = AK²
K=radius of gyration
I = Moment of Inertia (mm4)
A = Area of Section (mm2)
Slenderness Ratio
For a given steel column, the slenderness ratio is defined by L/k
where L represents Effective length of the column
k represents Least radius of gyration of cross section of the column here
Euler’s column theory
Leonard Euler, a Swiss mathematician was the first to study stability of
long columns
The buckling load on long columns was derived on the basis of bending
stresses
The direct stresses (compressive stresses) are neglected
The effect of direct stresses (compressive stresses) is more significant
in short columns
Hence Euler’s column theory is applicable to long columns only
Assumptions in Euler’s column theory
• The column is perfectly straight initially and the load applied is
truly axial
• The cross section of the column is uniform throughout
• The column material is perfectly elastic, homogenous, and
isotropic. (It obeys Hooke’s law)
• The length of the column is very large compared to the cross
section dimensions
• The column fails by buckling only
• The direct stresses (compressive stresses) are small and are
neglected
• The self-weight of the column is neglected
TYPES OF END CONDITIONS FOR COLUMNS
In actual practice a column can have a number of end conditions
Euler’s theory can be applicable on long columns with following four
types of end conditions which are important from subject point of
view.
P
P deflection curve
deflection curve
Elastic curve or
Column
Elastic curve or
Column
Column with both ends
Hinged or Pinned Column with both ends fixed
TYPES OF END CONDITIONS FOR COLUMNS
P
Elastic curve
Elastic curve
Column
Column
Column with one end Column with one end
fixed and other hinged fixed and other free
Euler by his investigation has showed that a column of same material,
length and same cross sectional area but with different end conditions
can carry different buckling loads.
Hence it is required to derive the expressions for the buckling loads on
columns with different end conditions.
Sign convention for Bending moments in Columns
When a long column is loaded bending moments are developed all
along the length of the column and the column deflects (buckles) as
shown in the following two cases.
Convexity
Convexity Convexity
Case 1 Case 2
In case 1 the column deflects with In case 2 the column deflects with
convexity towards the initial convexity away from the initial
position of the column and the position of the column and the
bending moment developed in bending moment developed in
this case is treated as positive. this case is treated as negative.
To Derive The Expression For The Euler’s Crippling Or Buckling Load On
Column With Both Ends Hinged
P
A
Elastic curve or
deflection curve
A and B are Points of inflection or Zero BM
As a result the column deflects as
represented by the deflection or elastic
curve.
l
X yy C Consider a section XX at a distance x from
X X
the end B of the column.
Let y be the deflection or displacement of
x
the column at the section XX.
Let C be a point on the deflected column at
the section XX.
B
P From the bending differential equation we have
A
Elastic curve or
deflection curve Equating equations (1) and (2)
l
X yy C
X X
x The general solution for the above differential equation is
------ (3)
B
where c1 and c2 are constants of integration
------ (4)
In equation (4) C2 ≠ 0; --------- (5)
The general solution to equation (5) is in the form
Considering the least practical value ---------(6)
squaring equation (6) on both sides
case End condition Equivalent Euler’s Buckling
length(Le) load
PE= (π 2E I) / Le2
1 Both ends Le=L
hinged
2 One end fixed, Le=2L PE= (π 2EI) / 4L2
other end free
3 One end fixed, Le=L / √2 PE= 2(π 2EI) / L2
other end pin
jointed
4 Both ends fixed Le=L/2 PE= 4(π 2 EI) / L2
Note: L is the actual length of respective column and Le is to be
considered in calculating Euler's buckling load
Limitation of Euler's theory
The validity of Euler’s theory is subjected to condition that failure is due
to buckling. The Euler’s formula for crippling is
Pcr= (π 2 EI) / Le 2
But I =Ak2
∴ Pcr/A= π 2E/(Le/K)2 σcr = π2E/(Le/K)2
Where σcr is crippling stress or critical stress or stress at failure
The term Le/K is called slenderness ratio. As slenderness ratio decreases
critical load/stress increases.
∴ σc = π 2E/(Le/K)2
Le/K= √ (π2E / σc)
For steel σc = 320N/mm2
and E =2 x 105 N/mm2
(Le/K) is given by
(Le/K) =√ (π2E / σc) = √ π2 × 2 × 105/320) = 78.54 < 80
Hence ,Euler's formula will not be valid.
Types of Columns
𝑙
• Short Column 𝑘
< 32
𝑙
• Medium Column 32 ≤ 𝑘 ≤ 120
𝑙
• Long Column 𝑘 > 120
PROBLEMS:
1. A solid round bar 60mm in diameter and 2.5m long is used
as a strut. One end of the strut is fixed, while its other end is
hinged. Find the safe compressive load, for this strut, using
Euler’s formula. Assume E=2x105 N/m2 and factor of safety
=3.
Solution: end condition: one end hinged, other end fixed
effective length Le = L /(√2)= 2500/ (√2)= 1768 mm
Euler’s crippling load =PE= (π2EI) / Le 2
= [π 2 × 2 × 105 × π × (60)4 /64] / (1768)2
= 401.8 ×103 N = 401.4 kN
Safe compressive load = PE /3 =133.9 kN
2.A slender pin ended aluminum column 1.8m long and of
circular cross-section is to have an outside diameter of 50mm.
Calculate the necessary internal diameter to prevent failure by
buckling if the actual load applied is 13.6kN and the critical
load applied is twice the actual load. Take Ea = 70GN/m2.
Solution: outside diameter of the column =D =50mm
=0.05m; E=70 × 10 9N/m2
Inside diameter = ?
End condition: pin-ended ( hinged)
Le =L =1.8m
Euler’s crippling load =PE= π 2 (EI) / Le 2
Critical load =PE = 2 × safe load (given condition)
= 2 × 13.6=27.2kN
End condition: pin-ended ( hinged)
Le =L =1.8m
Euler’s crippling load =PE= π 2 (EI) / Le 2
Critical load =PE = 2 × safe load (given condition)
= 2 × 13.6=27.2kN
I= π (D4-d4) /64 = π (0.054-d4) /64
d = 0.0437m = 43.7mm
