Mechanics eBook: Eccentric Loads & Secant Formula https://www.ecourses.ou.edu/cgi-bin/ebook.cgi?topic=me&chap_sec=09...

Ch 9. Columns Multimedia Engineering Mechanics

Basic Fixed Eccentric
Columns Columns Loads
Mechanics Eccentric Loads & Secant Formula Case Intro Theory Case Solution
Chapter
1. Stress/Strain
2. Torsion MECHANICS - THEORY
3. Beam Shr/Moment
4. Beam Stresses
5. Beam Deflections Eccentric Axial Loads
6. Beam-Advanced
7. Stress Analysis Generally, columns are designed so that the axial load
8. Strain Analysis
9. Columns is inline with the column. These types of columns
were analyzed in the previous sections (Basic
Appendix Columns and Fixed Columns). However, there are
Basic Math situations that the load will be off center and cause a
Units
Basic Equations
bending in the column in addition to the compression.
Sections This type of loading is called eccentric load and is
Material Properties analyzed differently.
Structural Shapes
Beam Equations For simplification, only pin-pin columns will be
analyzed in this section for eccentric loading.
Search Stresses for the other beam types (pin-fixed, fixed-
Pin-Pin Column
fixed, and fixed-free) with eccentric loading can be
eBooks with Eccentric Axial Load
Dynamics determined by using the effective length concept.
Statics
Mechanics When a column is load off center, bending can be
Fluids
Thermodynamics sever problem and may be more important than the
Math compression stress or buckling. To better understand
this, take an eccentrically loaded column and cut it at
Author(s): a distance x from the bottom pin as shown in the
Kurt Gramoll diagram on the left. The horizontal direction is labeled
©Kurt Gramoll as v which represents the deflection of the column.

At the cut surface, there will be both an internal

moment, m, and the axial load P. This partial section
of the column must still be equilibrium, and moments
can be summed at the cut surface, giving,

ΣM = 0
m + P (e + v) = 0

Recall, from beams, bending in a structure can be

modeled as m = EI d2v/dx2, giving

EI d2v/dx2 + Pv = -Pe

This is a classical differential equation that can be

solved using the general solution,

Column Deflection due to
Eccentric Axial Load
v = C1 sin kx + C2 cos kx - e
where k = (P/EI)0.5. The constants C1 and C2 can be
determined using the boundary conditions. First, the
deflection, v, at x = 0 is 0 giving

0 = C 1 0 + C2 1 - e
C1 = e

The second boundary condition specifies the

deflection, v, at X = L is also 0, giving,

0 = e sin kL + C2 cos kL - e

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Mechanics eBook: Eccentric Loads & Secant Formula https://www.ecourses.ou.edu/cgi-bin/ebook.cgi?topic=me&chap_sec=09...

Now that the constants are known, the final deflection

equation as a function of x is

Always remember, tan, sin and cos, are radians in this

equation, not degrees.

Maximum Deflection

The maximum deflection occurs at the column center,

x = L/2, since both ends are pinned. This gives,

Load-Deflection Diagram
for Two Different Eccentric
If the eccentricity is 0, then the deflection is 0 until the
column buckles as shown in the diagram. For any
non-zero value for e, then the deflection is gradual
and then quickly grows as the load P increases.

Maximum Stress

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Mechanics eBook: Eccentric Loads & Secant Formula https://www.ecourses.ou.edu/cgi-bin/ebook.cgi?topic=me&chap_sec=09...

Unlike basic column buckling, eccentric loaded

columns bend and must withstand both bending
stresses and axial compression stresses. This can be
illustrated by looking at both these stresses
separately. The axial load P, will produce a
compression stress P/A. Since the load P is not at the
center, it will cause a bending stress My/I. The
maximum compression stress will be total of both
these stress, giving

While generally compression stress is noted as

negative, the maximum is considered an absolute
value and thus positive. The c term is the largest
distance from the neutral axis. The maximum
moment, Mmax, is at the mid-point of the column (x =
L/2),

Mmax = P (e + vmax)

Combining the above equations gives

But I and A can be related using the radius of

gyration, r, as I = Ar2. This gives the final form of the
secant formula as
Eccentric Loaded Column Stress

Again, remember, tan, sin and cos, are radians not

degrees. Also, L is for a pin-pin column. For other
column boundary conditions, Leffective can be used.

There is a lot of terms in the secant formula that may

be confusing. The first issue is to understand what is
unknown. Generally, the load P is not known for a
given column, material type, and maximum allowable
stress, σmax. One might ask, if P is the unknown, why
is the equation not formulated with P on one side of
the equation? The problem is P cannot be isolated on
one side of the question since this is a nonlinear
equation. Thus P cannot be solved using algebra but
a numerical method is needed such as a root finder or
even trial and error.

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Mechanics eBook: Eccentric Loads & Secant Formula https://www.ecourses.ou.edu/cgi-bin/ebook.cgi?topic=me&chap_sec=09...

So, back to the terms. The stress maximum, σmax, is

generally the yield stress or allowable stress of the
column material, which is known. The geometry of the
column, length L, area A, radius of gyration r, and
maximum distance from the neutral axis c are also
known. The eccentricity, e, and material stiffness, E,
are considered known.

The secant formula can be better understood if it is

plotted as function of the slenderness ration, L/r and
the pure axial compression stress, P/A. The stiffness,
E, maximum stress, σmax, and eccentricity ratio, ec/r2,
need to be set. In the diagram, the σmax, is set at 36
ksi and the eccentricity ratio is shown for various
values.
Secant Formula Curves for
For the eccentricity ratio of 0, the Euler equation is
Various Stiffness Values
recovered and is shown on the graph as the red
curve.

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