DEBRE MARKOS UNIVERSITY

TECHNOLOGY COLLEGE
CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
CHAPTER 6

BUCKLING

Buckling is a sudden loss of stability that occurs to a member subjected to a compressive load. The
system failure is caused by infinitesimal small deflections due to small imperfections being inherent in
each structure. It relates to the geometry of the system (dimensions, boundary conditions, type of cross
section) and the material applied (elastic modulus).
6.1 Stability of Equilibrium

A vertical rigid bar (no bending) having a tensional spring of stiffness k at its support is subjected to a
vertical load P. The system is displaced by a small (infinitesimal) amount.

6.2 Euler Formula for the pin-ended column

A column with a flexural rigidity of EI with pinned supports, being free to rotate around both ends is
subjected to a vertical load P. An imperfection of the system causes bending of the column (M) and
horizontal deflection at its centre (v).

Strength of Materials Page 1

 DEBRE MARKOS UNIVERSITY
TECHNOLOGY COLLEGE
CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

6.3 Euler Formulas for various boundary conditions

Due to the boundary conditions set for a member subjected to a compressive load, the differential
equation v'' = -M/(EI) has different solutions. The solutions can be generalized and transformed to
resemble the fundamental case of the Euler Formula for pin-ended columns by introducing Le as the
effective length. In the analysis the effective length Le is used instead of the actual column length L.

Example 6.1
A pin-ended steel column consists of a hollow rectangular cross section. At its top end the column is
supported by horizontal bracings in y- and z-directions. At a height of 6.0 m a horizontal bracing is
attached in direction of the z-axis.
a) Determine the critical buckling load Pcr of the system
b) The support at the bottom of the column is changed to a fixed support. Determine Pcr of the
new system.

Strength of Materials Page 2

 DEBRE MARKOS UNIVERSITY
TECHNOLOGY COLLEGE
CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

6.4 Limitations of the Euler Formulas

The derivation of the Euler Formula is based on elastic material behavior. Thus it is only applicable
within the linear-elastic range of the material. A closer look is to be taken at the stress caused by the
applied vertical load of the column.

Strength of Materials Page 3

 DEBRE MARKOS UNIVERSITY
TECHNOLOGY COLLEGE
CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

Euler Hyperbola: critical stress versus slenderness ratio, applicable within the linear-elastic range
The Euler Hyperbola provides a general solution to determine the critical stress for any column
according to its slenderness ratio. For long columns (large ratio of slenderness), the Euler Hyperbola can
generally be applied. Exceeding the linear elastic range of the material, the proportional limit is reached;
hence the Euler Hyperbola can no longer be used. The graph representing the critical stress therefore
approaches the limit stress of the material (e.g. the yield point). Thus short column failure is not a failure
due to stability but due to the strength of the applied material. Further criteria considering the buckling
analysis of a column of a certain material can be found in the respective national codes.

Figure 6.1: critical stress diagram, Euler Hyperbola

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