Chapter Objectives: 2005 Pearson Education South Asia Pte LTD

13.
Buckling of Columns
CHAPTER OBJECTIVES
• Discuss the behavior of
columns.
• Discuss the buckling of
columns.
• Determine the axial load
needed to buckle an ideal
column.
• Analyze the buckling with
bending of a column.
• Discuss inelastic buckling of a column.
• Discuss methods used to design concentric and
eccentric columns.
2005 Pearson Education South Asia Pte Ltd 1
13. Buckling of Columns
CHAPTER OUTLINE
1. Critical Load
2. Ideal Column with Pin Supports
3. Columns Having Various Types of Supports
4. *The Secant Formula
5. *Inelastic Buckling
6. *Design of Columns for Concentric Loading
7. *Design of Columns for Eccentric Loading

13.1 CRITICAL LOAD
• Long slender members subjected to axial
compressive force are called columns.
• The lateral deflection that occurs is
called buckling.
• The maximum axial load a column can
support when it is on the verge of
buckling is called the critical load, Pcr.

13.1 CRITICAL LOAD
• Spring develops restoring force F = k, while
applied load P develops two horizontal
components, Px = P tan , which tends to push the
pin further out of equilibrium.
• Since  is small,
 = (L/2) and tan  ≈ .
• Thus, restoring spring
force becomes
F = kL/2, and
disturbing force is
2Px = 2P.

13.1 CRITICAL LOAD
• For kL/2 > 2P,

kL
P stable equilibriu m
4
• For kL/2 < 2P,
kL
P unstable equilibrium
4
• For kL/2 = 2P,

kL
Pcr  neutral equilibriu m
4
13.2 IDEAL COLUMN WITH PIN SUPPORTS
• An ideal column is perfectly straight before loading,

made of homogeneous material, and upon which
the load is applied through the centroid of the x-
section.
• We also assume that the material behaves in a
linear-elastic manner and the column buckles or
bends in a single plane.

• In order to determine the critical load and buckled

shape of column, we apply Eqn 12-10,
d 2
EI 2  M 13 - 1
dx
• Recall that this eqn assume
the slope of the elastic
curve is small and
deflections occur only in
bending. We assume that
the material behaves in a
linear-elastic manner and
the column buckles or
bends in a single plane.
• Summing moments, M = P, Eqn 13-1

becomes
d 2  P 

2    0 13 - 2
dx  EI 
• General solution is
 P   P 
  C1 sin  x   C2 cos x 13 - 3
 EI   EI 
• Since  = 0 at x = 0, then C2 = 0.
Since  = 0 at x = L, then
 P 
C1 sin  L  0
 EI  8
2005 Pearson Education South Asia Pte Ltd
• Disregarding trivial soln for C1 = 0, we get

 P 
sin  L  0
 EI 
• Which is satisfied if
P
L  n
EI
• or
n 2 2 EI
P 2
n  1,2,3,...
L

• Smallest value of P is obtained for n = 1, so critical load
for column is  2 EI
Pcr 
L2
• This load is also referred to
as the Euler load. The
corresponding buckled
shape is defined by
x
  C1 sin
L
• C1 represents maximum
deflection, max, which occurs
at midpoint of the column.
• A column will buckle about the principal axis of the
x-section having the least moment of inertia
(weakest axis).
• For example, the meter stick shown will
buckle about the a-a axis and not
the b-b axis.
• Thus, circular tubes made excellent
columns, and square tube or those
shapes having Ix ≈ Iy are selected
for columns.

• Buckling eqn for a pin-supported long slender

column,
 2 EI
Pcr  2 13 - 5
L
Pcr = critical or maximum axial load on column just

before it begins to buckle. This load must not cause
the stress in column to exceed proportional limit.
E = modulus of elasticity of material
I = Least modulus of inertia for column’s x-sectional
area.
L = unsupported length of pinned-end columns.
• Expressing I = Ar2 where A is x-sectional area of
column and r is the radius of gyration of x-sectional
area.  2E
 cr  13 - 6
 L r 2
cr = critical stress, an average stress in column just
before the column buckles. This stress is an elastic
stress and therefore cr  Y
E = modulus of elasticity of material
L = unsupported length of pinned-end columns.
r = smallest radius of gyration of column, determined
from r = √(I/A), where I is least moment of inertia of
column’s x-sectional area A.
• The geometric ratio L/r in Eqn 13-6 is known as the
slenderness ratio.
• It is a measure of the column’s flexibility and will be
used to classify columns as long, intermediate or
short.

IMPORTANT
• Columns are long slender members that are
subjected to axial loads.
• Critical load is the maximum axial load that a
column can support when it is on the verge of
buckling.
• This loading represents a case of neutral
equilibrium.

IMPORTANT
• An ideal column is initially perfectly straight, made
of homogeneous material, and the load is applied
through the centroid of the x-section.
• A pin-connected column will buckle about the
principal axis of the x-section having the least
moment of intertia.
• The slenderness ratio L/r, where r is the smallest
radius of gyration of x-section. Buckling will occur
about the axis where this ratio gives the greatest
value.

EXAMPLE 13.1
A 7.2-m long A-36 steel tube
having the x-section shown is to
be used a pin-ended column.
Determine the maximum
allowable axial load the column
can support so that it does not
buckle.

EXAMPLE 13.1 (SOLN)
Use Eqn 13-5 to obtain critical load with
Est = 200 GPa.
 2 EI
Pcr 
L2
2
   1
4
6 2

 200 10 kN/m    70 4 1 m / 1000 mm  4

 7.2 m  2
 228.2 kN

EXAMPLE 13.1 (SOLN)
This force creates an average compressive stress in
the column of
Pcr 228.2 kN1000 N/kN 
 cr 
A

 
  75    70 mm
2 2 2
 100.2 N/mm2  100 MPa
Since cr < Y = 250 MPa, application of Euler’s eqn

is appropriate.

EXAMPLE 13.2
The A-36 steel W20046 member shown is to be
used as a pin-connected column. Determine the
largest axial load it can support
before it either begins to buckle
or the steel yields.

EXAMPLE 13.2 (SOLN)
From table in Appendix B, column’s x-sectional area
and moments of inertia are A = 5890 mm2,
Ix = 45.5106 mm4,and Iy = 15.3106 mm4.
By inspection, buckling will occur about the y-y axis.
Applying Eqn 13-5, we have
2
 EI
Pcr 
L2

      
 2 200 106 kN/m 2 15.3 104 mm 4 1 m / 1000 mm  4
 4 m 2
 1887.6 kN
EXAMPLE 13.2 (SOLN)
When fully loaded, average compressive stress in
column is Pcr 1887.6 kN1000 N/kN 
 cr  
A 5890 mm 2
 320.5 N/mm 2
Since this stress exceeds yield stress (250 N/mm2),

the load P is determined from simple compression:
2 P
250 N/mm 
5890 mm2
P  1472.5 kN

13.3 COLUMNS HAVING VARIOUS TYPES OF SUPPORTS
• From free-body diagram, M = P(  ).

• Differential eqn for the deflection curve is
P d 2
P
2
   13 - 7 
dx EI EI
• Solving by using boundary conditions
and integration, we get
  P 
   1  cos x  13 - 8
  EI 

• Thus, smallest critical load occurs when n = 1, so

that  2 EI
Pcr  2
13 - 9
4L
• By comparing with Eqn 13-5, a column fixed-
supported at its base will carry only one-fourth the
critical load applied to a pin-supported column.

Effective length
• If a column is not supported by pinned-ends, then
Euler’s formula can also be used to determine the
critical load.
• “L” must then represent the distance between the
zero-moment points.
• This distance is called the columns’ effective length,
Le.

Effective length

Effective length
• Many design codes provide column formulae that
use a dimensionless coefficient K, known as thee
effective-length factor.
Le  KL 13 - 10
• Thus, Euler’s formula can be expressed as
 2 EI
Pcr  13 - 11
 KL  2
 2E
 cr  13 - 12
 KL r  2

Effective length
• Here (KL/r) is the column’s effective-slenderness
ratio.

EXAMPLE 13.3
A W15024 steel column is 8 m
long and is fixed at its ends as
shown. Its load-carrying capacity
is increased by bracing it about
the y-y axis using struts that are
assumed to be pin-connected
to its mid-height. Determine the
load it can support sp that the
column does not buckle nor
material exceed the yield stress.
Take Est = 200 GPa and Y = 410 MPa.

EXAMPLE 13.3 (SOLN)
Buckling behavior is
different about the x and y
axes due to bracing.
Buckled shape for each
case is shown.
The effective length for
buckling about the x-x axis
is (KL)x = 0.5(8 m) = 4 m.
For buckling about the y-y
axis, (KL)y = 0.7(8 m/2) = 2.8 m.
We get Ix = 13.4106 mm4 and Iy = 1.83106 mm4
from Appendix B.
EXAMPLE 13.3 (SOLN)
Applying Eqn 13-11,
 Pcr  x 
     
 2 EI x  2 200 106 kN/m 2 13.4 106 m 4

 KL  x
2
 4 m 2
 Pcr  x  1653.2 kN
 Pcr  y  
 2 EI y      
 2 200 106 kN/m 2 1.83 106 m 4
 KL  y
2
 2. 8 m  2
 Pcr  y  460.8 kN
By comparison, buckling will occur about the y-y
axis.

EXAMPLE 13.3 (SOLN)
Area of x-section is 3060 mm2, so average
compressive stress in column will be
 cr  
 
Pcr 460.8 103 N
 150. 6 N/mm 2
A 2
3060 m
Since cr < Y = 410 MPa, buckling will occur before

the material yields.

EXAMPLE 13.3 (SOLN)
NOTE: From Eqn 13-11, we see that buckling always
occur about the column axis having the largest
slenderness ratio. Thus using data for the radius of
gyration from table in Appendix B,
 KL   4 m1000 mm/m  60.4
 
 r x 66.2 mm
 KL   2.8 m1000 mm/m  114.3
 
 r y 24.5 mm
Hence, y-y axis buckling will occur, which is the same
conclusion reached by comparing Eqns 13-11 for
both axes.
*13.4 THE SECANT FORMULA
• The actual criterion for load application on a column

is limited to either a specified deflection of the
column or by not allowing the maximum stress in
the column exceed an
allowable stress.
• We apply a load P to column
at a short eccentric distance
e from centroid of x-section.
• This is equivalent to applying
a load P and moment
M’ = Pe.

• From free-body diagram, internal moment in column

is M   P e    13 - 13
• Thus, the general solution for the differential eqn of
the deflection curve is
P P
  C1 sin x  C2 cos xe 13 - 14
EI EI
• Applying boundary conditions to determine the
constants, deflection curve is written as
  P L  P   P  
  e  tan  sin  s   cos x   1 13 - 15
  EI 2   EI   EI  

Maximum deflection
• Due to symmetry of loading, both maximum
deflection and maximum stress occur at column’s
midpoint. Therefore, when x = L/2,  = max, so
  P L 
max  e sec   1 13 - 16
  EI 2  

Maximum deflection
• Therefore, to find Pcr, we require
 Pcr L 
sec 
 EI 2 
Pcr L 

EI 2 2
 2 EI
Pcr  2 13 - 17 
L

The secant formula

• Maximum stress in column occur when
maximum moment occurs at the
column’s midpoint.
Using Eqns 13-13 and 13-16,
M  P e  max 
 P L
M  Pe sec  13 - 18
 EI 2 
• Maximum stress is compressive and
P Mc P Pec  P L 
 max   ;  max   sec 
A I A I  EI 2 
The secant formula

• Since radius of gyration r2 = I/A,
P  ec  L P 
 max  1  2 sec  13 - 19
A r  2r EA 
 max = maximum elastic stress in column, at inner
concave side of midpoint (compressive).
• P = vertical load applied to the column. P < Pcr
unless e = 0, then P = Pcr (Eqn 13-5)
• e = eccentricity of load P, measured from the neutral
axis of column’s x-sectional area to line of action of
P.
The secant formula

• c = distance from neutral axis to outer fiber of
column where maximum compressive stress max
occurs.
• A = x-sectional area of column
• L = unsupported length of column in plane of
bending. For non pin-supported columns, Le should
be used.
• E = modulus of elasticity of material.
• r = radius of gyration, r = √(I/A), where I is computed
about the neutral or bending axis.
Design
• Once eccentricity ratio has been determined,
column data can be substituted into Eqn 13-19.
• For max = Y, corresponding load PY is determined
from a trial-and-error procedure, since eqn is
transcendental and cannot be solved explicitly for
PY.
• Note that PY will always be smaller than the critical
load Pcr, since Euler’s formula assumes
unrealistically that column is axially loaded without
eccentricity.
IMPORTANT
• Due to imperfections in manufacturing or application
of the load, a column will never suddenly buckle,
instead it begins to bend.
• The load applied to a column is related to its
deflections in a nonlinear manner, so the principle of
superposition does not apply.
• As the slenderness ratio increases, eccentrically
loaded columns tend to fail at or near the Euler
buckling load.

EXAMPLE 13.6
The W20059 A-36 steel
column shown is fixed at its
base and braced at the top so
that it is fixed from
displacement, yet free to
rotate about the y-y axis.
Also, it can sway to the side in
the y-z plane. Determine the
maximum eccentric load the
column can support before it
either begins to buckle or the
steel yields.
EXAMPLE 13.6 (SOLN)
From support conditions, about the y-y
axis, the column behaves as if it was
pinned at the top, fixed at the base and
subjected to an axial load P.
About the x-x axis, the column is free at
the top and fixed at the base, and
subjected to both axial load P and
moment M = P(200 mm).

EXAMPLE 13.6 (SOLN)
y-y axis buckling:
Effective length factor is Ky = 0.7, so (KL)y = 0.7(4 m)
= 2.8 m = 2800 mm. Using table in Appendix B to
determine Iy for the section and applying Eqn 13-11,
 Pcr  y  
 2 EI y      
 2 200 103 N/mm2  20.4 106 mm4
 KL  y
2
 2800 mm  2
 5136247 N  5136 kN

EXAMPLE 13.6 (SOLN)
x-x axis yielding:
Kx = 2, so (KL)x = 2(4 m) = 8 m = 8000 mm. From
table in Appendix B, A = 7580 mm2, c = 210 mm/2 =
105 mm, and rx = 89.9 mm, applying secant formula,
Px  ec   KL  x Px 
 Y  1  2 sec 
A  rx  2rx EA 
Px  200  105  8000 Px 
250  1 sec 
 2 89.9  200 103  7580 
7580  2
89.9
 
1.895  106  Px 1  2.598 sec 1.143  103 Px 
EXAMPLE 13.6 (SOLN)
x-x axis yielding:
Solving for Px by trial and error, noting that argument
for secant is in radians, we get
Px  419368 N  419.4 kN
Since this value is less than (Pcr)y = 5136 kN, failure

will occur about the x-x axis.
Also,  = 419.4103 N / 7580 mm2
= 55.3 MPa < Y = 250 MPa.

*13.5 INELASTIC BUCKLING
• Application of Euler’s equation requires that the
stress in column remain BELOW the material’s yield
point when column buckles. So it only applies to
long slender columns.
• In practice, most are
intermediate columns, so we
can study their behavior by
modifying Euler’s equation to
apply for inelastic buckling.
• Consider a stress-strain
diagram as shown.

• Proportional limit is pl, and
modulus of elasticity E is
slope of line AB.
• A plot of Euler’s hyperbola is
shown having a slenderness
ratio as small as (KL/r)pl,
since at this pt, cr = pl.
• When column about to buckle,
change in strain that occurs is
within a small range , so E
for material can be taken as
the tangent modulus Et.
• Et is defined as the slope of stress-strain diagram at
pt D.
• At time of failure, column behaves as if it were
made of a material having lower stiffness than when
it behaves elastically, Et < E.
• In general, as slenderness
ratio increases, critical stress
for a column continues to
rise and tangent modulus
for material decreases.

• Thus, we substitute the material’s tangent modulus

Et for E into Euler’s equation,
 2 Et
 cr  13 - 20
 KL / r  2
• This is the tangent modulus or Engesser’s eqn.

EXAMPLE 13.7
A solid rod has a diameter of 30 mm and is 600 mm
long. It is made of a material that can be modeled by
the stress-strain diagram shown. If it is used as a
pin-supported column, determine the critical load.

EXAMPLE 13.7 (SOLN)
Radius of gyration and slenderness ratio are
  415 4
I
r   7.5 mm
 15
A 2
KL 1 600 mm 
  80
r 7.5 mm
Applying Eqn 13-20 yields
 
2 2
 Et  Et 3
 cr    1 .542 10 Et 1
 KL / r   80
2 2

EXAMPLE 13.7 (SOLN)
Assume that critical stress is elastic.
From diagram,
150 MPa
E  150 GPa
0.001
Thus, Eqn (1) becomes

 cr  1.542 103 150 103 MPa  231.3 MPa  
Since cr > pl = 150 MPa, inelastic buckling occurs.
From second line segment of diagram, we have
 270 MPa  150 MPa
Et    120 GPa
 0.002  0.001
EXAMPLE 13.7 (SOLN)
Applying Eqn (1) yields
 cr  1.542 10  3
12010  MPa  185.1 MPa
3
Since value falls between 150 MPa and 270 MPa, it is

indeed the critical stress.
Critical load on the rod is therefore

Pcr   cr A  185.1 MPa   0.015 m  2  131 kN 

*13.6 DESIGN OF COLUMNS FOR CONCENTRIC LOADING
• To account for behavior of different-length columns,
design codes specify several formulae that will best
fit the data within the short, intermediate, and long
column range.
Steel columns
• Structural steel columns are designed on the basis
of formulae proposed by the Structural Stability
Research Council (SSRC).
• Factors of safety are applied to the formulae and
adopted as specs for building construction by the
American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC).

Steel columns
• For long columns, the Euler formula is used. A
factor of safety F.S. = 23/12 ≈ 1.92 is applied. Thus
for design,
12 2 E  KL  KL
 allow      200 13 - 21
23 KL / r  2
 r c r
• Value of slenderness ratio obtained by
2
 KL   2 E
  13 - 22
 r c Y

Steel columns
• For slenderness ratio lesser than (KL/r)c, the design
eqn is   KL / r  2 
1  
2 Y
 2 KL / r  c 
 allow   13 - 23
  KL     KL 3 
 3     
 5
{     r      r  3 }
 3  8 KL     KL  
 
  r c  8 r  
 c

Steel columns

Aluminum columns
• Design equations are specified by the Aluminum
Association, applicable for specific range of
slenderness ratios.
• For a common alloy (2014-T6), we have
KL
 allow  195 MPa 0  12 13 - 24
r
  KL  KL
 allow  214.5  1.628  MPa 12   55 13 - 25
  r  r
378125 MPa KL
 allow  55  13 - 26
 KL / r  2 r
Aluminum columns

Timber columns
• Timber design formulae published by the National
Forest Products Association (NFPA) or American
Institute of Timber Construction (AITC).

Timber columns
• NFPA’s formulae for short, intermediate and long
columns having a rectangular x-section of
dimensions b and d (smallest dimension),
KL
 allow  8.25 MPa 0  11 13 - 27
d
 1  KL / d 2  KL
 allow  8.251     MPa 11   26 13 - 28
 3  26.0   d
3718 MPa KL
 allow  26   50 13 - 29
 KL / d  2 d
Procedure for analysis

Column analysis
• When using any formula to analyze a column, or to
find its allowable load, it is necessary to calculate
the slenderness ratio in order to determine which
column formula applies.
• Once the average allowable stress has been
computed, the allowable load in the column is
determined from P = allowA.


Column design
• If a formula is used to design a column, or to
determine the column’s x-sectional area for a given
loading and effective length, then a trial-and-check
procedure generally must be followed if the column
has a composite shape, such as a wide-flange
section.
• One way is to assume the column’s x-sectional area,
A’, and calculate the corresponding stress
‘ = P/A’.


Column design
• Also, with A’ use an appropriate design formula to
determine the allowable stress allow.
• From this, calculate the required column area
Areq’d = P/allow.
• If A’ > Areq’d, the design is safe. When making
comparison, it is practical to require A’ to be close to
but greater than Areq’d, usually within 2-3%. A
redesign is necessary if A’ > Areq’d.


Column design
• Whenever a trial-and-check procedure is repeated,
the choice of an area is determined by the
previously calculated required area.
• In engineering practice, this method for design is
usually shortened through the use of computer
software or published tables and graphs.

EXAMPLE 13.8
An A-26 steel W250149 member is used as a pin-
supported column. Using AISC column
design formulae, determine the largest
load that it can safely support.
Est = 200(103) MPa, Y = 250 MPa.

EXAMPLE 13.8 (SOLN)
From Appendix B,
A = 19000 mm2; rx = 117 mm; ry= 67.4 mm.
Since K = 1 for both x and y axes buckling,
slenderness ratio is largest if ry is used. Thus
KL 1 5 m 1000 mm/m 
  74.18
r  67.4 mm 
From Eqn 13-22, KL 2 2
E
  
 
 r c Y

 
2 2  200  103 MPa
 125.66
250 MPa
EXAMPLE 13.8 (SOLN)
Here 0 < KL/r < (KL/r)c, so Eqn 13-23 applies
  74.18 2 
1  2
250 MPa
 2125.66 
 allow 
5
   3 74. 18     74. 18  3 
     
 3  8125.66  8125.66  3
 110 .85 MPa
Allowable load P on column is

P 2
 allow  A ; 110 .85 N/mm  P
19000 mm2
P  2106150 N  2106 kN
EXAMPLE 13.10
A bar having a length of 750 mm is
used to support an axial
compressive load of 60 kN. It is
pin-supported at its ends and made
from a 2014-T6 aluminum alloy.
Determine the dimensions of its
x-sectional area if its width is to be
twice its thickness.

EXAMPLE 13.10 (SOLN)
Since KL = 750 mm is the same for x-x and y-y axes
buckling, largest slenderness ratio is determined using
smallest radius of gyration, using Imin = Iy:
KL KL 1 750 2598.1
   1
ry Iy / A  
1/ 12 2b b / 2b b  
3 b
Since we do not know the slenderness ratio, we apply

Eqn 13-24 first,
P 2
 195 N/mm ;
3
60 10 N
 195 N/mm2
 
A 2b b 
b  12.40 mm
Checking slenderness ratio,
KL 2598.1
  209.5  12
r 12.40
Try Eqn 13-26, which is valid for KL/r ≥ 55;
P 378125 MPa

A  KL / r  2
60 103 
378125
2b b   2598.1 / b  2
b  27.05 mm

From Eqn (1),
KL 2598.1
  96.00  55 OK!
r 27.05
Note: It would be satisfactory to choose the x-section
with dimensions 27 mm by 54 mm.

EXAMPLE 13.11
A board having x-sectional
dimensions of 150 mm by 40 mm
is used to support an axial load
of 20 kN.
If the board is assumed to be
pin-supported at its top and base,
determine its greatest allowable
length L as specified by the NFPA.

By inspection, board will buckle about the y axis. In
the NFPA eqns, d = 40 mm.
Assuming that Eqn 13-29 applies, we have
P 3718 MPa

A  KL / d  2
20 103 N

 
3718 N/mm 2
150 mm  40 mm 1L / 40 mm  2
L  1336 mm

Here KL  11336 mm
  33.4
d 40 mm
Since 26 < KL/d  50, the solution is valid.

*13.7 DESIGN OF COLUMNS FOR ECCENTRIC LOADING
• A column may be required to
support a load acting at its
edge or on an angle bracket
attached to its side.
• The bending moment M = Pe,
caused by eccentric loading,
must be accounted for when
column is designed.
Use of available column formulae
• Stress distribution acting over x-sectional area of
column shown is determined from both axial force P
and bending moment M = Pe.


• Maximum compressive stress is
P Mc
 max   13 - 30
A I
• A typical stress profile is also shown here.
• If we assume entire x-section is subjected to uniform
stress max, then we can compare it with allow, which
is determined from formulae given in chapter 13.6.
• If max ≤ allow, then column can carry the specified
load.


• Otherwise, the column’s area A is increased and a
new max and allow are calculated.
• This method of design is rather simple to apply and
works well for columns that are short or intermediate
length.

Interaction formula
• It is sometimes desirable to see how the bending
and axial loads interact when designing an
eccentrically loaded column.
• If allowable stress for axial load is (a)allow, then
required area for the column needed to support the
load P is P
Aa 
  a  allow

Interaction formula
• Similarly, if allowable bending stress is (b)allow, then
since I = Ar2, required area of column needed to
resist eccentric moment is determined from flexure
formula, A  Mc
b
  b  allow r 2

Interaction formula
• Thus, total area A for the column needed to resist
both axial force and bending moment requires that
Mc / Ar 2
P
Aa  Ab   A
  a  allow   b  allow
a b
or  1
  a  allow   b  allow r 2
P Mc
 1 13 - 31

Interaction formula
a = axial stress caused by force P and determined
from a = P/A, where A is the x-sectional area of the
column.
b = bending stress caused by an eccentric load or
applied moment M; b is found from b = Mc/I, where
I is the moment of inertia of x-sectional area
computed about the bending or neutral axis.
a b
 1
P Mc
 1 13 - 31
Interaction formula
(a)allow = allowable axial stress as defined by formulae
given in chapter 13.6 or by design code specs. Use
the largest slenderness ratio for the column,
regardless of which axis it experiences bending.
(b)allow = allowable bending stress as defined by code
specifications.
a b
  1
P Mc
 1 13 - 31
Interaction formula
• Eqn 13-31 is sometimes referred to as the
interaction formula.
• This approach requires a trial-and-check procedure.
• Designer needs to choose an available column and
check to see if the inequality is satisfied.
• If not, a larger section is picked and the process
repeated.
• American Institute of Steel Construction specifies
the use of Eqn 13-31 only when the axial-stress ratio
a/(a)allow ≤ 0.15.
EXAMPLE 13.12
Column is made of 2014-T6
aluminum alloy and is used to
support an eccentric load P.
Determine the magnitude of P that
can be supported if column is fixed
at its base and free at its top. Use
Eqn 13-30.

K = 2. Largest slenderness ratio for column is
KL 21600 mm 
  277.1
r 1/12 80 mm 40 mm 3  /  40 mm 80 mm 
By inspection, Eqn 13-26 must be used (277.1 > 55).
378125 MPa 378125 MPa
 allow    4.92 MPa
 KL r  2
 277.1 2

Actual maximum compressive stress in the column is
determined from the combination of axial load and
bending. P  Pe  c
 max  
A I
P P 20 mm  40 mm 
 
40 mm 80 mm  1 / 12 40 mm  80 mm  3
 0.00078125P
Assuming that this stress is uniform over the x-
section, instead of just at the outer boundary,
 allow   max ; 4.92  0.00078125P
P  6297.6 N  6.30 kN
EXAMPLE 13.13
The A-36 steel W15030 column
is pin-connected at its ends and
subjected to eccentric load P.
Determine the maximum
allowable value of P using the
interaction method if allowable
bending stress is
(b)allow = 160 MPa, E = 200 GPa,
and Y = 250 MPa.

K = 1. The geometric properties for the W15030 are
taken from the table in Appendix B.
A  3790 mm2 I x  17.1  106 mm4

ry  38.2 mm d  157 mm
We consider ry as it lead to largest value of the

slenderness ratio. Ix is needed since bending occurs
about the x axis (c = 157 mm/2 = 78.5 mm). To
determine the allowable bending compressive stress,
we have KL 1 4 m 1000 mm/m
  104.71
r 38.2 mm
Then KL/r < (KL/r)c and so Eqn 13-23 must be used.
 104.71 2 
1  2
 250 MPa
 2125.66 
 allow 
 5   3104.71   104.71 3 
{      }
 3  8125.66  8125.66  3
 85.59 MPa
Assuming that this stress is uniform over the x-

section, instead of just at the outer boundary,

Applying the interaction formula Eqn 13-31 yields
a b
 1
P / 3790 mm 2

 
P 750 mm 157 mm / 2  / 17.1 106 mm 4
1
2 2
85.59 N/mm 160 N/mm
P  40.65 kN
Checking application of interaction method for steel
section, we require
a 40.65 10 N / 3790 mm 
 3
  2
  0.125  0.15 OK!
 allow 85.59 N/mm2
EXAMPLE 13.14
Timber column is made from
two boards nailed together so
the x-section has the
dimensions shown.
If column is fixed at its base and
free at its top, use Eqn 13-30 to
determine the eccentric load P
that can be supported.

K = 2. Here, we calculate KL/d to determine which
eqn to use. Since allow is determined using the largest
slenderness ratio, we choose d = 60 mm.
This is done to make the ratio as large as possible,
and thus yield the lowest possible allowable axial
stress.
This is done even though bending due to P is about
the x axis.
KL 2 1200 mm 
  40
d 60 mm

Allowable axial stress is determined using Eqn 13-29
since 26 < KL/d < 50. Thus
3718 MPa 3718 MPa
 allow    2.324 MPa
 KL / d  2
 40 2
Applying Eqn 13-30 with allow = max, we have

P Mc
 allow  
A I
P 2 P 80 mm  60 mm
2.324 N/mm  
60 mm120 mm  1 / 12 600 mm 120 mm  3
P  3.35 kN
CHAPTER REVIEW
• Buckling is the sudden instability that occurs in
columns or members that support an axial load.
• The maximum axial load that a member can
support just before buckling occurs is called the
critical load Pcr.
• The critical load for an ideal column is determined
from the Euler eqn, Pcr = 2EI/(KL)2, where
K = 1 for pin supports, K = 0.5 for fixed supports,
K = 0.7 for a pin and a fixed support, and K = 2 for
a fixed support and a free end.

CHAPTER REVIEW
• If axial loading is applied eccentrically to the
column, then the secant formula must be used to
determine the maximum stress in the column.
• When the axial load tends to cause yielding of the
column, then the tangent modulus should be used
with Euler’s eqn to determine the buckling load.
This is referred to as Engesser’s eqn.
• Empirical formulae based upon experimental data
have been developed for use in the design of
steel, aluminum, and timber columns.

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13.

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• For kL/2 > 2P,

• For kL/2 = 2P,

• An ideal column is perfectly straight before loading,

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• In order to determine the critical load and buckled

• Summing moments, M = P, Eqn 13-1

• Disregarding trivial soln for C1 = 0, we get

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• Buckling eqn for a pin-supported long slender

Pcr = critical or maximum axial load on column just

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 100.2 N/mm2  100 MPa

Since cr < Y = 250 MPa, application of Euler’s eqn

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Since this stress exceeds yield stress (250 N/mm2),

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• From free-body diagram, M = P(  ).

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• Thus, smallest critical load occurs when n = 1, so

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Since cr < Y = 410 MPa, buckling will occur before

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• The actual criterion for load application on a column

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• From free-body diagram, internal moment in column

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The secant formula

The secant formula

The secant formula

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Since this value is less than (Pcr)y = 5136 kN, failure

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• Thus, we substitute the material’s tangent modulus

• This is the tangent modulus or Engesser’s eqn.

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