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Buckling
Buckling
Buckling
d 4w d 2w
Governing equation for deflection: EI − N =q (1)
dx 4 dx 2
Boundary conditions:
dw
Built-in: w = 0 and = 0; (2)
dx
d 2w
Simple-support: w = 0 and M =0 or = 0; (3)
dx 2
d 2w
Free-end: M =0 or =0
dx 2
d 3w dw
and Q=0 or − EI 3 + N =0 (4)
dx dx
Buckling
As previous mentioned that the applied axial tensile load reinforces the beam while a
compressive axial load weakens the beam. In fact, as the compression increases, the beam
will come to a state such that its stiffness is lost completely. In other words, the beam may
bend without applied transverse loads, such as distributed q or concentrated ones. This
incident is called buckling. Mathematically, the state corresponds to such an axial load N,
under which, a non-trivial, i.e. non-zero solution exists for the governing equation above
when q=0.
Because only compressive axial loads are interested as far as buckling problems are
concerned, introducing P=−N, then P will be positive for compression (opposite to the
tension convention as in the analysis of frame structures). Beam under axial compression and
subject to buckling are called columns or struts. The governing equation for the buckling of
column is then
d 4w d 2w
EI + P =0 (5)
dx 4 dx 2
Obviously, w=0 always satisfies the above equation but this is called a trivial solution and not
what we are interested in.
The above 4th order ordinary differential equation can be solved in general mathematically.
The corresponding characteristic equation is
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Structures II, MACE, University of Manchester
The solution to the governing equation (5) can be given in general as the deflection of the
column
w = A + Bx + C sin β x + D cos β x (9)
From the deflection in (9), the following useful quantities can be obtained about the
deformation and the loads over a cross-section of the column:
dw
Rotation of the cross-section: = B + Cβ cos β x − Dβ sin β x
dx
d 2w
Bending moment: M = − EI 2 = EIβ 2 (C sin β x + D cos β x ) (10)
dx
3
d w dw d 3w dw
Shear force: Q = − EI 3 − P = − EI 3 + β 2 = − EIβ 2 B
dx dx dx dx
Boundary Conditions
Other combinations, e.g. simple-support and free-end, would allow some rigid-body motion
and therefore cannot be considered as appropriate boundary conditions for columns.
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Structures II, MACE, University of Manchester
Take the simple-support & simple-support boundary conditions for example. The four
conditions, with common factors β2 cancelled as it cannot be zero (why?), result in
A+ D = 0
D=0
A + Bl + C sin β l + D cos β l = 0 (15)
C sin β l + D cos β l = 0
Substituting the 2nd equation of (15) D=0 into the 1st and 4th equations, one obtains A=0 and
Csinβl=0, respectively. The 3rd equation results in B=0 since l≠0. As A=B=D=0 already, C
cannot be zero for non-trivial solution. Otherwise, one would end up with a trivial solution.
Since Csinβl=0 and neither β nor l can be zero, the only possibility is
sin β l = 0 or β l = nπ (n=1,2,3,…). (16)
Substitute the expression of β as given in eq.(7) into the above, one obtains
P n 2π 2 EI
βl = l = nπ or P= (n=1,2,3,…). (17)
EI l2
When P reaches a value as given for any n, there can be non-trivial value for C, representing
the no-trivial solutions for the governing equation (5), i.e. the column will bend without any
transverse loading, while maintaining perfect equilibrium.
Consider P as the load applied to the column, as P increases from zero, the first incident when
the column start to give way to sideway deformation, corresponding to n=1, is obviously of
ultimate significance. This incident is called buckling of the column. The corresponding load
is
π 2 EI
Pcr = (18)
l2
It is the buckling load of the column, sometimes called critical load or Euler load as it was
first obtained by Euler (1707-1783). Alternative description of buckling is instability as the
column loses its stability of the equilibrium state at this load level.
Higher orders of n may satisfy equilibrium, boundary conditions and non-trivial solution
condition. The loads corresponding to them are of little practical significance. Before these
load levels can be reached, the column has lost it stability and will not be capable of carrying
on any further loads anymore.
The non-trivial solution for w can be actually obtained by substituting the condition sinβl=0
back into eqs. (15) and then (9). In this case, eqs.(15) result in A=B=D=0 while C can be any
arbitrary non-zero constant. Thus the non-trivial solution to (5) is obtained as
πx
w = C sin (19)
l
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Structures II, MACE, University of Manchester
The non-trivial solution as obtained above is called the buckling mode, which describes the
pattern of the deflection immediately after buckling has taken place. However, due to the
arbitrariness of constant C, it is not uniquely defined in the sense that the magnitude of the
deflection arbitrary. The implication is that the deflection can take any magnitude without
violating the equilibrium and boundary conditions, provided that it remains small. As the
deflection grows beyond the small deformation regime, nonlinearity will get involved in the
problem and the behaviour will be governed by a much more complicated nonlinear equation
than (5). This is described as problem of post-buckling deformation, which is beyond the
scope of the present subject.
π 2 EI π 2 × 200 × 10 9 × 7.854 × 10 −9
Loading capacity P max = = = 5481.2 N
2
2l BC 2× ( )
2 ×1
2
The four equations from the end support conditions in this case are obtained as
A+ D = 0
B + βC = 0
A + Bl + C sin β l + D cos β l = 0 (20)
B + β C cos β l − β D sin β l = 0
Since A = − D and B = − β C , substituting these back to the 3rd and 4th equations, we have
C (sin β l − β l ) + D(cos β l − 1) = 0
C (cos β l − 1) − D sin β l = 0 (21)
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Structures II, MACE, University of Manchester
[
D (sin β l − β l ) sin β l + (cos β l − 1) = 0
2
] (22)
Bearing in mind sin 2 β l + cos 2 β l = 1 , the above equation can be rewritten as,
β l sin β l + 2 cos β l − 2 = 0
βl βl
Then β l sin β l + 2 cos β l − 2 = β l sin 2 + 2 cos 2 − 2 = 0
2 2
Employing the following trigonometry formulae
sin 2ϕ = 2 sin ϕ cos ϕ βl
and let ϕ=
cos 2ϕ = 1 − 2 sin ϕ 2
2
βl βl βl βl
4 sin cos − sin = 0 . (24)
2 2 2 2
4π 2 EI
Pcr = (26)
l2
This is four time of the Euler load, the one for simply-supported column. Substituting
βl
condition sin = 0 or β l = 2π back into eqs.(20), bearing in mind that sin 2π = 0 and
2
cos 2π = 1 , one obtains A=−D and B=C=0. The buckling mode is then
2π x
w = − D1 − cos (27)
l
The lowest load from the second possibility as given in (25) would produce a load at
EI
Pcr = 40.382 2 for a nontrivial solution. This is slightly higher than that given by (26)
l
EI
which is Pcr = 39.478 2 .
l
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Structures II, MACE, University of Manchester
π 2 EI
Pcr = (28)
4l 2
πx
w = − D1 − cos (29)
2l
where D is an arbitrary constant. Buckling load is quarter of the Euler load, the one for
simply-supported column.
kx kx kx
w = C k 1 − cos − − sin (31)
l l l
where C is an arbitrary constant and k ≈ 4.4934 . Buckling load is just over twice of the Euler
load.
Example 2: Find the buckling loads of a column of rectangular cross-section (a×b) and
length l under the above mentioned four possible combinations of boundary conditions,
assuming E=1GPa, a=30mm, b=3mm and l=300mm.
Solution: Buckling takes place in a weakest plane where the second moment of cross-section
area the lowest. In this case, the lowest is
ab3
I= = 67.5 × 10−12
12
π 2 EI
Simple-support & simple-support Pcr = 2 = 7.40( N )
l
4π 2 EI
Built-in & built-in Pcr = = 29.61( N )
l2
π 2 EI
Built-in & free-end Pcr = = 1.85( N )
4l 2
EI
Built-in & simple-support Pcr = 20.191 2 = 15.14( N )
l
The range of the buckling loads obtained here indicates the effects of end supports to the
column. It should be noted that other factors, such as I, E and l, have their effects on the
buckling load as well.
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Structures II, MACE, University of Manchester
2.1 Derive the non-trivial solution conditions, buckling load and buckling modes for
columns with built-in & free-end and built-in & simple-support boundary conditions.
2.2 Discuss all possible ways of enhancing buckling load of columns and compare their
efficiencies.
2.3 A column of elliptical cross-section, whose long and short semi-axes are a=40mm and
b=30mm, respectively, is simply supported at both ends. The length of the column is
l=3m. The Young’s modulus of the material is E=20GPa. Determine the buckling
load. If one of the ends is clamped (built-in), how much increase in the column’s
buckling load is expected?
Answer: 18.6kN, 38.06kN
2.5 A bar of solid circular cross-section, with a permissible stress σ=120MPa, has a cross-
section area which is just sufficient to support an axial load P=20kN. When the bar is
constrained with built-in end conditions, it is just capable of sustaining the same P in
compression before buckling. It is now desirable to set one end free from any
constraint. The bar is obviously unable to take the same compressive load as it is.
However, the load carrying capacity can be maintained without consuming extra
material but by making the bar hallow to increase the second moment of cross-section
area. Determine the external diameter of such a hollow bar.
Answer: 42.5mm
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