Third Edition

CHAPTER MECHANICS OF
MATERIALS
10 Ferdinand P. Beer
E. Russell Johnston, Jr.
John T. DeWolf
Columns
Lecture Notes:
J. Walt Oler
Texas Tech University

Presented by:
Dr. Mohammed Arafa

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MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Beer • Johnston • DeWolf

Columns

Stability of Structures
Euler’s Formula for Pin-Ended Beams
Extension of Euler’s Formula
Sample Problem 10.1
Eccentric Loading; The Secant Formula
Sample Problem 10.2
Design of Columns Under Centric Load
Sample Problem 10.4
Design of Columns Under an Eccentric Load

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MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Beer • Johnston • DeWolf

Stability of Structures
• In the design of columns, cross-sectional area is
selected such that
- allowable stress is not exceeded
P
   all
A
- deformation falls within specifications
PL
   spec
AE

• After these design calculations, may discover

that the column is unstable under loading and
that it suddenly becomes sharply curved or
buckles.

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MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Beer • Johnston • DeWolf

Stability of Structures

• Consider model with two rods and torsional

spring. After a small perturbation,
K 2   restoring moment
L L
P sin   P   destabiliz ing moment
2 2

• Column is stable (tends to return to aligned

orientation) if
L
P   K 2 
2
4K
P  Pcr 
L

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MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Beer • Johnston • DeWolf

Stability of Structures
• Assume that a load P is applied. After a
perturbation, the system settles to a new
equilibrium configuration at a finite
deflection angle.
L
P sin   K 2 
2
PL P 
 
4 K Pcr sin 

• Noting that sin <  , the assumed

configuration is only possible if P > Pcr.

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MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Beer • Johnston • DeWolf

Euler’s Formula for Pin-Ended Beams

• Consider an axially loaded beam.
After a small perturbation, the system
reaches an equilibrium configuration
such that
d2y M P
2
   y
dx EI EI

d2y P
2
 y0
dx EI

• Solution with assumed configuration

can only be obtained if
 2 EI
P  Pcr 
L2
P
    cr 
 
 2 E Ar 2

 2E
A 2
L A L r 2

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MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Beer • Johnston • DeWolf

Euler’s Formula for Pin-Ended Beams

• The value of stress corresponding to
the critical load,
 2 EI
P  Pcr 
L2
P P
   cr  cr
A A

 cr 
 
 2 E Ar 2
L2 A
 2E
  critical stress
L r 
2

L
 slenderness ratio
r

• Preceding analysis is limited to

centric loadings.

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MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Beer • Johnston • DeWolf

Extension of Euler’s Formula

• A column with one fixed and one free
end, will behave as the upper-half of a
pin-connected column.

• The critical loading is calculated from

Euler’s formula,
 2 EI
Pcr 
L2e

 2E
 cr 
Le r 2
Le  2 L  equivalent length

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MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Beer • Johnston • DeWolf

Extension of Euler’s Formula

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MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Beer • Johnston • DeWolf

Sample Problem 10.1

An aluminum column of length L and
rectangular cross-section has a fixed end at B
and supports a centric load at A. Two smooth
and rounded fixed plates restrain end A from
moving in one of the vertical planes of
symmetry but allow it to move in the other
plane.

a) Determine the ratio a/b of the two sides of

the cross-section corresponding to the most
efficient design against buckling.
L = 20 in. b) Design the most efficient cross-section for
the column.
E = 10.1 x 106 psi
P = 5 kips
FS = 2.5

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MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Beer • Johnston • DeWolf

Sample Problem 10.1

SOLUTION:
The most efficient design occurs when the
resistance to buckling is equal in both planes of
symmetry. This occurs when the slenderness
ratios are equal.
• Buckling in xy Plane:
1 ba 3 2
2 I a a
rz   12
z  rz 
A ab 12 12
Le, z 0.7 L
 • Most efficient design:
rz a 12 Le, y
Le, z

• Buckling in xz Plane: rz ry
1 ab3
Iy b2 b 0 .7 L 2L
ry2   12  ry  
A ab 12 12 a 12 b / 12
Le, y 2L a 0 .7 a
   0.35
ry b / 12 b 2 b

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Edition
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MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Beer • Johnston • DeWolf

Sample Problem 10.1

• Design:
Le 2L 220 in  138.6
  
ry b 12 b 12 b
Pcr  FS P  2.55 kips   12.5 kips
Pcr 12500 lbs
 cr  
A 0.35b b

 cr 
 2E


 2 10.1  106 psi 
Le r 2
138.6 b 2
L = 20 in. 
12500 lbs  2 10.1  106 psi


E = 10.1 x 106 psi
0.35b b 138.6 b 2
P = 5 kips b  1.620 in.
a  0.35b  0.567 in.
FS = 2.5
a/b = 0.35
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