MACHINE DESIGN(IM-211)

SPRING 2021
COLUMNS

COLUMNS

COURSE TEACHER:MS RABIA SIDDIQUI

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
 STRUTS
A strut is a structural component designed to resist
longitudinal compression. Struts provide outwards-
facing support in their lengthwise direction, which can
be used to keep two other components separate,
performing the opposite function of a tie . They are
commonly used in architecture and engineering.
A strut is a structural member which is subjected to an
axial compressive force. A strut may be horizontal,
vertical or inclined with any end fixity condition, e.g.,
connecting rods, piston rods, etc.
1.In Automobile Industry
MacPherson strut-
As components of an automobile chassis, they can be passive braces to reinforce the
chassis and/or body, or active components of the suspension. An automotive
suspension strut combines the primary function of a shock absorber (as a damper), with
the ability to support sideways loads not along its axis of compression, somewhat similar
to a sliding pillar suspension, thus eliminating the need for an upper suspension arm.
2.IN ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
Strut Channel made from Steel Aluminum or Fibre-reinforced plastic is used heavily in the building
industry and is often used in the support of CableTrays and other forms of Cable Management, and
pipes support systems. It is used for supporting wiring, plumbing, or mechanical components such as
air-conditioning or ventilation systems. The main advantage of strut channel in construction is that
there are many options available for rapidly and easily connecting lengths together and other items to
the strut channel, using various specialized strut-specific fasteners and bolts
3.IN AIRCRAFT
Lift struts were commonly used in early aircraft to support wings, stabilizers, control frames
in gliders and hang gliders, and in landing gear. Since the 1930s they were mostly replaced
with cantilever constructions, and became rare except in light aircraft. These structural members
are frequently loaded in tension, but may vary between tension and compression as the aircraft
maneuvers.
Struts are still widely used to attach the landing gear, particularly in retractable-gear aircraft,
and provide damping during the takeoff and landing roll; here they are often called oleo struts
 Columns or struts

Column or pillar in architecture and structural engineering is a structural

element that transmits, through compression the weight of the structure
above to other structural elements below, in other words a column is a
compression member. The term column applies especially to a large
round support with a capital and base and made of stone, or appearing
to be so.. For the purpose of wind or earthquake engineering, columns
may be designed to resist lateral forces. Other compression members
are often termed "columns" because of the similar stress conditions.
Columns are frequently used to support beams or arches on which the
upper parts of walls or ceilings rest. In architecture "column" refers to
such a structural element that also has certain proportional and
decorative features. A column might also be a decorative or triumphant
feature but need not be supporting any Structure.
FAILURE OF COLUMN
The failure of a column takes place due to the anyone of the
following stresses set up in the columns:

a) Direct compressive stresses.

b) Buckling stresses.

c) Combined of direct compressive and buckling

stresses.

The mode of failure of columns depends

upon their lengths and depending
on the mode of failure columns are classified as
a. Short columns (L/D<8)
b. Medium columns (8<L/D<30)

c. Long columns (L/D>30)

 P

FAILURE DUE TO
DIRECT COMPRESSIVE
STRESS OR CRUSHING
P
LOADS
1. SHORT COLUMNS
When a column is subjected to loads and is increased, the
column will reach a stage when it will be subjected to
ultimate crushing stress. Beyond this stage, the column
will fail by crushing. The load
corresponding to the crushing stress is called crushing
load.

The load carrying capacity of a short column depends

only on its cross sectional area (A) and the crushing
stress of the material.
FAILURE OF A LONG COLUMN
BY BUCKLING
Long columns, which are also called slender columns, when subjected to
compression, deflects or bends in a lateral direction as shown in the figure. The
lateral deflection of the long column is called buckling. The long column fails
when there is excessive buckling .ie when the load on the column exceeds
critical load.

Critical load denotes the maximum load carrying capacity of the long column.
The load carrying capacity of long column depends upon several factors like the
length of the column, M.I of its cross–section, Modulus of elasticity of the
material, nature of its support, in addition to area of cross section and the
crushing strength of the material.
However, when a compression member becomes longer, the role of the
geometry and stiffness (Young's modulus) becomes more and more important.
For a long (slender) column, buckling occurs way before the normal stress
reaches the strength of the column material
For an intermediate length compression member, kneeling occurs when some
areas yield before buckling, as shown in the figure below.
 Design Considerations

In practice, for a given material, the allowable stress in a compression

member depends on the slenderness ratio Leff / r and can be divided into
three regions: short, intermediate, and long.
Short columns are dominated by the strength limit of the material.
Intermediate columns are bounded by the inelastic limit of the member.
Finally, long columns are bounded by the elastic limit (i.e. Euler's
formula). These three regions are depicted on the stress/slenderness
graph below,
EULERS COLUMN THEORY
The first rational attempt, to study the stability of long columns,
was made by Mr. Euler. He derived an equation, for the
buckling load of long columns based on the bending stress.
While deriving this equation, the effect of direct stress is
neglected. This may be justified with the statement, that the
direct stress induced in a long column is negligible as
compared to the bending stress. It may be noted that Euler’s
formula cannot be used in the case of short columns, because
the direct stress is considerable, and hence cannot be
neglected.
 Euler’s Theory for Columns
HE DID NOT CONSIDERED DIRECT STRESS
ASSUMPTIONS ;-
1.INITIALLY COLUMN IS PERFECTLY STRAIGHT AND LOAD IS AXIAL.
2.CROSS SECTION IS UNIFORM THROUGHOUT.
3.COLUMN IS PERFECTLY ELASTIC, HOMOGENOUS AND ISOTROPIC.
4.LENGTH IS VERY LONG AS COMPARED TO CROSS SECTION.
Effective Length:
IIt is the length which tells about load bearing capacity of the
column ……in short the part of unsupported length , which will
carry the load ….is called effective length of the column .
to find effective length a factor should be multiplied to the
unsupported length .
OR
It is the length measured between the points of inflection (Point of
Zero Bending Moment) in a plane.
So, It is depend on the support conditions.
 RELATION
S. BETWEEN
NO END EFFECTIVE CRIPPLING
CONDITION AND LOAD(P)
ACTUAL
LENGTH
Both sides PE= (π 2E I) / L2
1 Le=L
hinged

One fixed and PE= (π 2EI) / 4L2

2 Le=2L
other free
both fixed Le=L/2 PE= 4(π 2 EI) / L2
3

4 One fixed and Le=L/√2 PE= 2(π 2EI) / L2

other hinged
POSITIVE VS NEGATIVE BENDING: Bending moment which will tend to bend
the column with its convexity towards its initial central line will be considered as
positive.
Let us consider we have one column whose initial central line is displayed here by
AB. Once axial compressive load will be applied on column, there will be
developed one bending moment and it will try to bend the column.
Let us consider here that column is bending, under the action of bending moment
developed by axial compressive load, with taking shape of AC or AD as we have
displayed here in following figure.

Bending moment, developed by the axial compressive

load, producing such type of curvature will be considered
as positive.
Bending moment with negative sign
Bending moment which will tend to bend the column with its concavity
towards its initial central line will be considered as negative.
Let us consider we have one column whose initial central line is
displayed here by AB. Once axial compressive load will be applied on
column, there will be developed one bending moment and it will try to
bend the column.

Let us consider here that column is bending with taking shape of ACB or
ADB as we have displayed here in following figure.

Bending moment, developed by the axial compressive load,

producing such type of curvature will be considered as
negative.
 EULERS RELATION:BOTH ENDS
HINGED- COLUMN
Consider an axially loaded long column AB of length L. Its both
ends A and B are hinged. Due to axial compressive load P, let the
deflection at distance x from A be y.

B
P

L
y x

A P
 π2E I
This load is called critical or PE =
buckling load or crippling load L2
 We know that, Euler’s formula for calculating crippling load is valid
only for long columns.
But the real problem arises for intermediate columns which fails
due to the combination of buckling and direct stress.
The Rankine suggested an empirical formula which is valid for all
types of columns. The Rankine’s formula is given by,

1/ PR= 1/ Pc + 1/ PE
PR = crippling load by Rankine’s formula
Pc = crushing load = σc .A
PE = buckling load= PE= (π 2 EI) / Le 2
 For short columns: The effective length will be small and hence
the value of PE =(π 2 EI) / Le2 will be very large.

Hence 1/ PE is very small and can be neglected.

therefore 1/ PR= 1/ Pc or PR =Pc

For long column: we neglect the effect direct compression or
crushing and hence the term 1/ Pc can be neglected.

therefore 1/ PR= 1/ PE or PR =PE

Hence Rankines formula,

1/ PR= 1/ Pc + 1/ PE is satisfactory for all types of

columns
1 1 1
 
PR PC PE
1 PC  PE

PR PC  PE
PC  PE PC
PR  
PC  PE P
1 C
PE
 EI2

substituting PC   c A and PE 
Le 2
c A c A c A c A
PR    
 A c A  c Le 2  c ( Le / K ) 2
1 c 1 1 1
 EI 2
 E ( AK 2 )
2
 E K2
2
 E 2

Le 2 Le 2
c A
PR 
1  a ( Le / K ) 2
c
where a 
 E
2
 PR = σcA / (1+a.λ 2 )

where a = Rankine’s constant =σc / π 2EI

and λ = slenderness ratio = Le/ k
 QUESTION:
Find Euler’s crippling load for a hollow cylindrical column
of 80 mm external diameter and 10 mm thick. Both ends of
the column are fixed and length of column is 5.5 m. Take
Es=2x10^5 N/mm^2. Also determine Rankine’s crippling
load for the same column. Take fc=350 MPa and Rankine’s
constant α= 1/7500.
Practice Question:
Two long slender hinged ended bars, one of solid
circular cross-section 60mm in diameter and other
od solid square cross-section but having same
cross-sectional area as the circular bar are
subjected to axial compressive load. The bars are of
same length and are made up of same material.
Using Euler’s column theory compare their
buckling load ratio.
Conclusion
Columns and struts:
Structural members subjected to compression and which are relatively
long compared to their lateral dimensions are called columns or Struts.
Generally, the term column is used to denote vertical members and the
term strut denotes inclined members

 Short columns fails by crushing or yielding of the material under the

load .

 Long column fails by buckling at a substantially smaller load

 The buckling load is less than the crushing load for a long column

 The value of buckling load for long column is low whereas for short
column the value of buckling load is relatively high.