BUCKLING OF

COMPRESSIVE MEMBERS
 INTRODUCTION
• Buckling is a mathematical instability that  2 EI
leads to a failure mode. When a structure is Pcr 
(KL) 2
subjected to compressive stress, buckling may
occur. Buckling is usually associated with
columns so, columns can buckle in different
Where;
ways and this is mainly dependant on the
Pcr = critical or maximum load on the
method of fixing the ends of the column. There
column/strut just before it begins to
are four common types being pinned ends,
buckle. This load must not cause the stress
fixed ends, pinned-fixed end and fixed-fixed
in the column/strut to exceed the
ends.
proportional limit
• This experiment to investigate critical buckling E = modulus of elasticity for the material
loads for steel strut with three type of fixing the (Young’s Modulus)
end of the column. This experiment also will I = moment of Inertia
test the Euler’s theory buckling. L = length of column/strut
OBJECTIVE
1. To investigate the influence of multiple column lengths and end
restraints (support conditions) under axial loading.

2. To derive the Euler buckling factor by accounting few columns length

and end restraint conditions.
LABORATORY SCOPE

• This experiment will be conducted in laboratory using the buckling of

strut equipment and using multiple lengths of strut which are 0.32m,
0.37m and 0.42m with four end restraints (pinned ends, fixed ends, pin-
fixed ends, free-fixed ends.
SIGNIFICANCE OF LAB

1. To determine the buckling response of clamped-clamped struts which is

pinned end, fixed ends, pin-fixed ends and free-fixed ends.

2. To determine the buckling based on length of the strut.

TYPE INSTRUMENTATION

• Buckling of strut equipment

• Steel strut with length of 0.32m, 0.37m and 0.42m.
 Strut
Buckling of strut equipment
PROCEDURE
Part 1
1.Fit the bottom chuck to the machine and remove the top chuck (to give the pinned ends) select the
strut, number 1 and measured the cross section using the venire provided and calculated the second
area.

2.Adjust the position of the sliding crosshead to accept the strut using the thumbtack to lock off the
slider. Ensure that there is the maximum amount of travel available on the hand wheel threat to
compress the strut. Finally tighten the locking screw.

3.Carefully back-off the handwheel so that the strut is resting in the notch but not transmitting any
load. Re zero the force meter using the front panel control.

4.Carefully start to load the strut. If the strut begin to buckle to the left, flick the strut to the right and
vice versa (this reduces any error associated with the straightness of strut). Turn the headwheel until
there is no further increase in load (the load may peak and then drop as it settles in the notches).
Part 2
1. To study the effect of end conditions, follow the same basic procedures as in part 1, but this time
remove the bottom chuck and clamp the specimen using the cap head screw and plate to make a
pinned-fixed end condition.
1
2. Record your result in table and calculate the values of L2 for the struts.

3. Fit the top chuck with the two cap head screws and clamp both ends of the specimen to make a
pinned end condition. Calculate the new value of 12 .
L

4. Insert all the data obtained in Table 1, 2, 3 and 4.

TABLE
Strut Number Length (m) Buckling Load Buckling Load
(N) (N)
Experiment Theory
1 0.32 7602.76
2 0.37 5686.80
3 0.42 4413.39
Table 1 (Pinned ends condition)

Strut Number Length (m) Buckling Buckling 1/L2 (m-2)

Load (N) Load (N)
Experiment Theory
1 0.32 30411.03 9.77
2 0.37 22747.18 7.30
3 0.42 17653.57 5.67

Table 2 (Fixed ends condition)

 Strut Length (m) Buckling Buckling 1/L2 (m-2)
Number Load (N) Load (N)
Experiment Theory
1 0.32 15515.83 9.77
2 0.37 11605.70 7.30
3 0.42 9006.92 5.67
Table 3 (Pinned and fixed ends condition)

Strut Length (m) Buckling Buckling 1/L2 (m-2)

Number Load (N) Load (N)
Experiment Theory

1 0.32 1900.69 9.77

2 0.37 1421.70 7.30
3 0.42 1103.35 5.67

Table 4 (Free and fixed ends condition)

CALCULATION
CONCLUSION

• Based on the theory value of Buckling of strut, we can consider that

when L is bigger, Pcr will be small, therefore the buckling load and the
length of strut is inversely proportional in linear condition.
REFERENCES

• Hibbler,R.C.(2018). Mechanics of Materials.10th Edition. London,UK:

Pearson Education, Inc.