Scribd
Upload
13 views2 pages

Solid 9

The document outlines the calculation for the shortest length L of a steel column with pinned ends and a rectangular cross-section, ensuring that the Euler buckling formula remains valid. It derives the minimum length Lmin using the elastic modulus, proportional limit, and the weaker axis moment of inertia. The final computed minimum length is approximately 1.539 meters, indicating that any shorter column would require consideration of inelastic effects.

Uploaded by

ce24btech11054
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
13 views2 pages

Solid 9

The document outlines the calculation for the shortest length L of a steel column with pinned ends and a rectangular cross-section, ensuring that the Euler buckling formula remains valid. It derives the minimum length Lmin using the elastic modulus, proportional limit, and the weaker axis moment of inertia. The final computed minimum length is approximately 1.539 meters, indicating that any shorter column would require consideration of inelastic effects.

Uploaded by

ce24btech11054
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Question 09 — Shortest length for which Euler formula applies

Problem
Find the shortest length L for a steel column with pinned ends having a rectangular cross-section
60 × 100 mm, for which the elastic Euler buckling formula applies. Given E = 200 GPa and assume
the proportional (elastic) limit to be σprop = 250 MPa.

Solution
For a pinned–pinned column the Euler critical load is

π 2 EI
Pcr = .
L2
The corresponding critical (average) stress in the column is

Pcr π 2 EI
σcr = = .
A AL2
Requiring that the Euler critical stress does not exceed the proportional limit (so elastic Euler
theory remains valid),
π 2 EI
σcr ≤ σprop =⇒ ≤ σprop .
AL2
Solving for the minimum length L that satisfies this equality gives
s
EI
Lmin = π .
A σprop

For a rectangular cross-section b × h there are two second moments of area; buckling will occur
about the axis with the smaller I (the weak axis). With the given dimensions take b = 100 mm, h =
60 mm for the weaker axis (so that the bending height is h = 60 mm):

bh3 100 · 603


Iweak = = = 1.8 × 106 mm4 .
12 12
60 · 1003
(If instead the column were to buckle about the other axis use Iother = = 5.0 × 106 mm4 ,
12
which gives a larger Lmin . The controlling (shortest) length corresponds to the smaller I.)
Area
A = 60 × 100 = 6000 mm2 .
Use consistent units: E = 200 GPa = 200 000 N/mm2 , σprop = 250 MPa = 250 N/mm2 .

1
Now compute
r r
(200000)(1.8 × 106 ) 3.6 × 1011
Lmin = π =π ≈ 1539.06 mm.
6000 · 250 1.5 × 106
Therefore
Lmin ≈ 1.539 m
(or Lmin ≈ 1539 mm). For any column shorter than this (with the given cross-section and loading),
the Euler elastic buckling stress would exceed the proportional limit and inelastic effects must be
accounted for.

Remark
We used the weaker axis I (smaller moment of inertia) because buckling will occur about that axis
first; this yields the shortest permissible column length for which the Euler (elastic) formula remains
valid.

You might also like