Chapter 4

AXIALLY LOADED COMPRESSION

MEMBERS

1
Struts(a)

A strut may be defined as a member carrying an axial compressive load whose length is
generally, but not always, large in comparison with its length.

It is a matter of experience that when a member whose length is much greater than its
lateral dimensions is subjected to a compressive load it will tend to fail by buckling, that
is by lateral or sideways movement of the member at some point along its length.

Thus a long slender concrete column will tend to fail by buckling, whereas a short stocky
concrete member, for example a concrete test cube will fail by crushing of the concrete.

Short member fails by

crushing

Long member fails

by buckling

To understand this phenomenon it is necessary to study the mechanism of buckling and

determine what properties of the section govern whether it will fail by buckling or crushing
and at what point the change-over from one type of failure to the other will occur.

Consider an originally perfectly straight member loaded with an axial compressive force
as shown below. The ends of the member are assumed to be fixed in position, but free to
rotate, i.e. the member has pinned ends.

The member is assumed to have the following properties:-

Length l
Area A
Second Moment of Area I
Youngs Modulus E

all of which are expressed in their appropriate dimensions.

The deflection at any point of the member, denoted y, may be upwards, in which case it
will be positive, or downwards, in which case it will be negative. With an upwards or

2
positive deflection it can be seen that the bending moment will be hogging or negative,
while with a downwards or negative deflection the bending moment will be sagging or
positive.

y
P P P
-y

In either event it can be seen that:

It is also known from the theory of bending that:

d2y
M = EI
dx 2
d2y
thus EI = − Py
dx 2
d 2 y Py
or + =0
dx 2 EI
P
Let 2 =
EI
2
d y
the n 2
+ 2 y = 0
dx

This is an ordinary, second order, linear differential equation with constant coefficients. In
order to solve it consider the following equation:-

y = ACos  x + BSin  x

Differentiating with respect to x:

dy
= −  A Sin  x +  B Cos  x
dx

Differentiating again

d2y
2
= −  2 ACos  x −  2 B Sin  x
dx
= − 2 [Cos  x = B Sin  x]
= − 2 y
d2y d2y
 = −  2
y or +  2 y = 0, The original equation.
dx 2 dx 2

3
Thus y = ACos  x + B Sin  x is a solution of the equation and it is now necessary to find
the constants of integration A and B. This is done by considering the boundary conditions
of the member, i.e. that @ x =C, y = 0 and @ x = 1, y also = 0.

x=0 y=o
 ACos0 + B Sin 0 = 0
A 1 = 0 A= 0
and y = B Sin  x
x= y=0
 B Sin  = 0

B cannot be zero as that would indicate zero deflection anywhere along the length of the
beam, which is clearly not the case.

Thus: Sin ℓ = 0

The solutions of this equation are as follows:-

 =0
 =
 = 2
and in general
 =  where  is an integer.
The lowest value of P at which the strut will buckle is obviously when n = 1, and in this

2 = 
2
case:  =  or 2

P 2  2 EI
 = 2 or P= 2
EI

This load is known as the Euler Buckling Load, named in honor of the mathematician who
first developed this theory, and is denoted Pe, the “e” standing for Euler.

4
Example:

A strut, pin-jointed at both ends has a square cross-section, 60 mm x 60 mm and is 1,5

m long. Youngs Modulus is 200 GPa. Calculate the lowest value of load at which the strut
will buckle and calculate the stress existing in the strut at that load.

Solution:-

 2 EI
Pe = 2
KN E = 200 102 KN / m 2

0.64
I= = 1.08 10−6 m 4
12
= 1.5m
 2  200 106 1.08 10−6
 Pe =
1.52
= 947 KN

P 947 103 N
Stress = = = 263 MPa
A 60  60mm 2

The strut just dealt with has a pinned joint at either end. If the end conditions had been
different it is likely that the buckling load will also be different, and it is now necessary to
investigate this fact. For example consider a cantilever subjected to an axial compressive
load. The properties of the cantilever are taken as being the same as the previous strut
with the exception of the end conditions. It is required to find the buckling load for the
cantilever.

EI

5
Again y = ACos  x + B Sin  x
Taking the free end of the cantilever as the origin:
@x =0 y=o  ACos 0 + B Sin 0 = 0
or A = 0 y = B Sin  x
dy dy
@x = =0 =  B Cos  x
dx dx
  B Cos = 0
Again B cannot be zero.
n
Cos  = 0 giving solutions  =
2
n
or  = P
EI
=
2
The value of n giving the lowest value of P is n = 1.
 2 EI
 Pe =
(2 ) 2
An identical expression to that obtained for a pinned strut except that (2ℓ) replaces ℓ.
At this stage it is found convenient to introduce the concept of an EFFECTIVE LENGTH,
denoted as le, which can replace the term l in the equation and which will allow for the
fact that the end conditions for any strut may be other than pinned.
Effective length le = Kℓ where ℓ = effective length, and
K = relevant multiplying factor for the end
Conditions.
 2 EI
Thus for a member pin-jointed at each end i.e. le = 1 and Pe = 2
.

 2 EI  2 EI  2 EI
For a cantilever le = 2l and Pe = = = [ K = 2]
(2 ) 2 ( e) 2 ( K )2

Struts which have end conditions other than pinned or completely free will obviously have
different values of effective length to the two cases already dealt with. These may be
found by substituting the appropriate values of end displacements and rotations into the
basic equation.

6
A diagram showing the values of effective lengths corresponding to certain frequently
encountered types of end conditions is reproduced below:-

ℓ
ℓe = ℓe =
ℓ ℓe = ℓ 0.7 ℓ ℓe =
0.5 ℓ
2ℓ

K= 1 K= 0,7 K= 0,5 K= 2

For practical purposes such as design, it is normally more useful to know the stress
existing in a section when buckling is just about to occur rather than the force at which
this will happen.

The stress may be found by modifying the equation for the Euler Buckling Load as
follows:-
 2 EI
Pe =
( e) 2

Pe  2 EI  2E I
Stress  e = = = =
A A( e) 2 ( e) 2 A

I
But = r 2 where r (radius of gyration) = I
A
A

 2 Er 2  2E
 e = or c =
( e) 2  e
2

 
 r 

e  K 
The expression  or  that is effective length divided by radius of gyration is a very
r  r 
important concept in structural analysis and is given the name Slenderness Ratio.
It can be seen from the expression for the Euler Buckling Stress i.e.:-

 2E
c =
( e / r)
2

7
that the higher the value of slenderness ratio, the lower the value of the stress at which
the strut will buckle and conversely, the lower the slenderness ratio, the higher will be the
value of stress in the strut at buckling, i.e. the stronger will be the strut.

It must be realised at this stage that a strut in general has an infinite number of
slenderness ratios as both the effective length and the radius of gyration may be different
for every axis selected passing through the cross-section of the strut.

Example: Consider a steel strut with a solid rectangular cross- section 75 mm x 50 mm

and 3 m long. Youngs Modulus is 200 GPa. The end connections are as shown on the
diagram following and are such that the strut is fully-fixed about both axes at its lower
end. At its upper end the strut is fully-fixed, that is it cannot deflect or rotate about its
minor principal axis (Y-Y), but it is pinned, that is it cannot deflect but it can rotate about
its major principal axis, (X-X).

It is required to find the buckling stress for the strut and the corresponding axial load which
will cause this to occur.

X X
3
m Y

Y 50
X
7
X
Y

Pin Fixe
ned d
ℓe = ℓe =
0,7 ℓ ℓ
0,5 ℓ
Fixe Fixe
d d

8
Solution:

About the X-X axis

e = 0, 7 = 0, 7  3000 = 2100 mm

I x− x bd 312 d2 d 75
rx − x = = = = =
A bd 12 2 3 2 3
e 2100
= 21, 7 mm = = 97
r 21.7
 2E  2  200 103
e = 2
= MPa = 210 MPa
  (97) 2
 e
r 

210  75  50
Pe = 787 KN
103

About the Y-Y Axis

e = 0,5 = 0,5  3000 = 1500 mm

50 1500
ry − y = = 14.4 mm e
= = 104
2 3 ry − y 14.4

 2  200 103
re = = 183 MPa
1042
183  75  50
Pe = 685 KN
103

The strut will therefore buckle about the Y-Y axis with a stress of 183 MPa when a load
of 706 kN is applied. It clearly will never be able to sustain the load of 810 kN which would
cause buckling about the X-X axis because by that time the strut would already have
buckled about the Y-Y axis.

9
  
Thus a strut will buckle about that axis about which its slenderness ratio  e  is a
 r 
maximum.

Exercise – At Home

a) Look up the values of I and r for both axes of a steel (Grade 300 W) section – 350
x 165 x 46I, in a table of steel section properties (e.g. SAISC Handbook).

b) If that I section were to be used as a strut 5 m long, so that it is fully fixed at both
ends for bending about the weaker axis, and fully pinned at both ends for stronger
axis bending, about which axis would it fail?

2
If the expression for the Critical Euler Buckling Stress  e = r E 2 is plotted against
 e
 
 r 

 
the slenderness ratio  e  a graph such as that shown below will be obtained.
 r 

e

(ℓe/r

It can be seen from this graph that for large values of slenderness ratio the
buckling stress will be low, but that for small values of slenderness ratio

10
tends to be high, may be very high and may in fact exceed the yield stress
of the material. In this case it is clear that the strut will fail by crushing of the material
before it buckles.

For example, consider a rectangular concrete test specimen, 100 mm x 100 mm by 1,2 m
long. Youngs Modulus for the concrete is 13 GPa and its characteristic cr crushing
strength is 40 MPa. If the critical buckling stress for the specimen is calculated the result
is as below:-

1.2 m

100
100

 2E
e = 2 e = (pinned ends) = 1200 mm
 e
 
 r 
bd 3
For a rectangle I = A = bd
12

bd 3 d2 d
r= = =
12bd 12 2 3
100
 here r = = 28.9 mm
2 3
1200
e
= = 41.6
r 28.9
 2 13 103
 e = = 74.25 MPa
(41.6) 2

11
This value of course exceeds the value of the crushing stress for the concrete, which is
40 MPa and it is clear that the specimen would fail by crushing of the concrete before it
had the opportunity to buckle. This behaviour is characteristic of struts which have
relatively small values of slenderness ratio.

Clearly then it is necessary to modify the theory already established in order to be able to
determine whether any particular strut will crush or buckle and at what value of stress or
load it will do either of these.

One possible approach is to modify the graph of buckling stress against slenderness ratio
by inserting a flat top to the graph at the point where the buckling stress becomes equal
to the crushing stress as follows:-

Yield Stress (g)

e

ℓe/
ry

This however suffers from the following disadvantages:-

i) The graph cannot be expressed as a single mathematical function for calculation

purposes.

ii) Because of the fact that the compressive stresses due to the direct load and those
due to bending caused by the eccentricity of this load at the centre of the strut
interact, and also the fact that no strut is both perfectly straight and homogenous,

12
 it is found that the failure stresses predicted by this theory do not
correspond with the values established by practical testing, and it is difficult to
modify the graph to account for these discrepancies.

It is only at fairly high values of ℓe/r that the results of practical tests become
reasonably close to what the theory predicts.

For struts with a very low value of slenderness ratio the failure stress is effectively the
yield stress, y, as the buckling stress is very large compared to the yield stress.

For struts with very high slenderness ratios, the failure stress is effectively the buckling
stress, e, as this is very small compared with the yield stress.

At values of intermediate slenderness ratio, both phenomena (yielding and buckling)

interact and the theory breaks down.

This, compression members may be classified into three categories:

1. Short, square members which tend to crush rather than buckle. These have low
values of ℓe/r. For these, the failure stress c is given by c = y (crushing or yield
stress).

2. Long, slender members which tend to buckle in a perfect elastic manner. These
have rather longer values of slenderness ratio. The failure stress c is given by

c = e (Euler stress)

3. The third category refers to members that exhibit intermediate behavior between
the first two categories. There is some degree or yielding in the member cross-
section before the pure Euler load is reached, and this has the effect of reducing
the failure load. These struts will still buckle rather than crush, but the plastic
yielding affects the behavior.

13
The struts that fail by plastic buckling have a very difficult failure behavior from an analysis
perspective. Unfortunately, most real compression members of practical dimensions have
slenderness ratios that fall into this intermediate category.

Rankine-Gordon Equation

Rankine and Gordon suggested a simple, mathematical approximation for dealing with
intermediate behavior struts.

If the actual failure stress for the strut is designated c then if the following relationship is
assumed:-

1 1 1
= =
c y e

1
then for low values of slenderness ratios c becomes very large and becomes very
c
small.

1 1
Thus :- = or  c =  y
c y

1
For high values of slenderness ratio c becomes very small and very large compared
c
1 1 1
to . Thus = or  c =  e .
y c c

Since this equation holds for the extreme cases of slenderness ratio it is reasonable to
assume that it also gives a good approximation for struts with intermediate values of
slenderness ratios.

1 1 1
Thus = +
c y e

14
 e + y
=
 y e

 y e
 c =
e + y

y y
= =
y 2
1+  y  

e
e  r 
1+
 2E

y
The term which is a dimensionless constant for any particular material is denoted
 2E
‘a’.

y
 c = 2
 
1+ a  e 
 r 

Consider once more the concrete test specimen dealt with in this section on page (h).
This was rectangular, 100 mm x 100 mm and 1,2 m long. Youngs Modulus was 13 Gpa
and crushing strength was 40 MPa.

The buckling stress for this specimen was calculated at 74,25 MPa and it was clear that
the actual stress in the specimen could never reach this value as it would crush at a value
of 40 Mpa first.

However under actual testing conditions it would be found that the specimen would fail
before even reaching the crushing stress because of the interaction caused by the two
different effects of the loading, the direct compression plus the extra compressive stress
caused by the bending which in turn is due to the fact that at midspan the member will
deflect, producing an eccentricity of the compressive load, hence a bending moment and
a bending compressive stress.

15
Applying the Rankine equation to this member:-

y
c = 2
 
1+ a  e 
 r 
y 40
a= = = 312 10−6
 E
2
 13 103
2

e
= 41, 6
r
40 40
c = =
1 + 312 10  ( 41, 0 )
−6 2
1.54

= 26 MPa

Thus the specimen would fail at a compressive stress of 26 Mpa, which is considerably
less than both the calculated Euler buckling stress of 74,25 Mpa and the concrete
crushing stress of 40 Mpa.

The load which would cause this failure stress can be calculated as
26 x 1002/103 = 260 kN

This example makes it clear that a relatively slender specimen such as the one just dealt
with would not be satisfactory for carrying out tests on concrete cube strengths as owing
to its slenderness and tendency to buckle it would indicate a concrete cube strength of
far less than the correct value. For this reason standard dimensions for concrete
compressive test specimens of 150 x 150 x 150 are specified. If such a standard
specimen is considered for the same concrete with characteristic strength of 40 MPa and
Youngs Modulus of 13 GPa, applying the Rankine equation would give the following
result:-

16
 y 150
c = 2
r= = 43.3 mm e = 150 mm
  2 3
1+ a  e 
 r 
150 40
e
= = 3.46 a= = 312 10−6 [As previously]
r 43.3  13 10
2 3

40 40
c = −6
=
1 + 312 10  (3.46) 2
1.0037

= 39,9 MPa

It can be seen that this gives a much more realistic estimate of the actual cube strength
of the concrete and is the reason why such dimensions are standard for concrete test
specimens.

Perry-Robertson Equation

It should be borne in mind that the Rankine-Gordon equation is based on an

approximation. Perry and Robertson suggested an alternative that is based on a more
complicated version of the Euler Formula.

Struts with intermediate values of slenderness are particularly sensitive to the following
phenomena – out of straightness, and the presence of residual stresses. For intermediate
struts with out of straightness effects, the failure stress (stress at first yield – onset of
plasticity) is given by c, where

2
1
 c =  y + (1 +  ) e  −  
1
4 y
2
+ (1 +  ) e  −  y e 
Where y = yield stress
e = Euler stress, and

17
  = is a variable whose value is determined in such a way as to reflect
the degree of initial out-of-straightness.

In the Perry-Robertson version of the above equation,  = 0, 00e e

.
r

This value for  was determined empirically and so should always be subject to a factor
of safety.

Example

A rectangular bar of Gr300 steel has the dimensions 100 mm x 150 mm x 2 m length and
is to be used as a pin-ended compression member. Assuming a load factor of 1,5, what
is the permissible load that can be resisted by this member?

Young’s Modulus for steel = 200 GPa.

Solution

We will have to determine the failure levels for each of the three possible modes of
behavior, i.e. the strut behaves as a short member, as a slender member, or as an
intermediated member. We can then compare these loads and determined the failure
load.

Crushing or yielding failure (Short column behavior)

c = y = 300 MPa

 Failure load P = 300 x Area

Area = 100 x 150 = 15 x 103 mm2
P = 300 x 15 = 4500 KN

18
Elastic buckling failure (Euler Theory) (Slender column behavior)

 2E
c = e = 2
 
 e
r 


b =100

X X d =150

ℓe = ℓ
A A
Y

Section A – A

d
For a rectangular cross-section r=
2 3
150
Bending about X-X axis, r= = 43,3 mm
2 3
2000
 e
= = 46, 2
r 43,3
100
Bending about Y-Y axis, r= = 28,9 mm
2 3
2000
 e
= = 69, 2
r 28,9
Buckling will take place about the Y-Y axis more readily.

  200 103
e = = 412 MPa
(69, 2) 2
 P = 412 15 = 6180 KN

19
Plastic buckling failure (Perry-Robertson Formula) [Intermediate Behaviour]

2
1
 c =  y + (1 +  ) e  −  
1
4 y
2
+ (1 +  ) e  −  y e 
 = 0, 003 e
= 0, 003  69, 2 = 0, 2076
r
 c = 12 300 + (1 + 0, 2076)  412

−  300 + (1 + 0, 2076)  412 − 300  412

1
4
2

= 12  797,5 −   14 (797,5)2 − 123600

= 398,8 − 188, 2 = 210, 6 MPa

The Failure Load = P = 210, 6 15 = 3159 KN

Thus, we found that failure takes place by plastic buckling with the section behaving like
an ‘intermediate slenderness’ strut. The working load is found from
P 3159
Work load = = = 2106 KN
load factor 1,5

SABS Equations

In the above example, the solution would have been obtained faster, if we had known that
the failure would be by plastic buckling beforehand. SABS 0162-1 (1993) provides guide
in this respect. A dimensionless constant t is calculated, where t is given by
KL  Fy 
=  
r   2E 

Where K = effective length factor ( Le / L )

L = length of the member

Fy = yield stress (same as y), and
E = Young’s Modulus

20
For a given strut, if   0,15 , it will behave like a short or stocky column, and so will fail by
crushing.

If   3, 6 it will behave like a slender column, failing by elastic buckling. This value is 2,8
for structural hollow sections.

Values of  between 0,15 and 3,6 (2,8 for hollow sections), correspond to intermediate
behavior (plastic buckling).

Note that  is simply the ration   fy 

 e 
fy
i.e.  2 =
e

SABS 0162-1 provides simplified expressions to evaluate Perry-Robertson’s formula in

terms of  (Clause 13.3.3.1).

For _______ symmetric sections and cold formed non-stress relieved hollow sections,

fail = (1,035 – 0,202  - 0,222 2) fy (0,15 <   1,0)

 0, 636 0, 087 
or  fail =  −0,111 + +  fy (1,0 <   2,0)
  2 
 0,877 
or  fail =  0, 009 +  fy (2,0 <   3,6)
 2 

In SABS 0162, these failure stresses are multiplied by the area of the member and by
resistance factors (particular safety factor), to obtain the permissible load on the member,
i.e. Cr =  fail A fy  where  is resistance factor = 0,9 for elastic buckling ( > 3,6).

21
  Afy
Cr =
2

For squashing, ( < 0,15)

Cr =  Afy

For intermediate behavior,

Cr =  Afy (1,035 − 0, 202 − 0, 222 2 ) (0,15    1,0)

Cr =  Afy (−0,111 + 0,635 −1 + 0,087 −2 ) (1,0    2,0)

Cr =  Afy (0,009 + 0,877 2 ) (2,0    3,6)

Example

A column consists of 4 Grade 300 W steel 100 x 75 x 10 unequal angles arranged as

shown in the sketch. The column which is 10 m long is so connected that it is pinned at
each end about its major principal axis X-X and pinned about one end but fixed at the
other, about its minor principal axis Y-Y.

The required properties of a 100 x 75 x 10 angle are summarized in the attached table.
The yield stress for Grade 300 W steel is 300 MP and Young’s Modulus is 200 GPa.

Calculate:

a) The Euler buckling load for the column.

b) The crushing load for the column.
c) The value of the dimensionless constant  prescribed by SABS 0162 (1993).
d) The failure load according to the SABS 0162 formulae.

22
e) With a member resistance factor (factor of safety) of 0,9, what is the maximum
load for which this column has been designed.

Y
Y

X X 300 X X

ax

ay

Y
Y

250

A = 1661 mm2
Ixx = 1,618 x 10c mm4
Iyy = 0,776 x 10c mm4
ax = 31,9 mm
ay = 19,5 mm

Solution

Section Properties A = 4 x 1661 = 6644 mm2

I xx = 4 1,1618 106 + 1661(150 − 31,9 ) 

2
 

= 99,1106

23
 99,1106
rxx = = 122 mm
6644

I yy = 4 0, 776 106 + 1661(125 − 19,5 ) 

2
 

= 77,1106

77,1106
ryy = = 108 mm
6644
ex − x = 10 000 ey − y = 0,7 x 10 000 = 7 000

10000  e 7000
( e / r ) x− x = = 82   = = 64,8
122  r  y − y 108

The longer value of 82 is critical. Column will buckle about the X-X axis.
2E  2  200 103
a) e = = = 294 MPa
( e / r)
2
822

294  6644
b) Pe = A e = = 1953 KN
103
 y = 800
300  6644
 Py = A y = = 1993 KN
103
KL  f y 
c) =  2 
r   E

 300 
= 82   2 3 
   200 10 
= 1, 01

f  300
Alternatively,  =   y  =  = 1, 01
  e 294

24
d) For  = 1, 01
 0, 636 0, 087 
 fail =  −0,111 + +  fy
  2 
 0, 636 0, 087 
=  −0,111 + +  fy
 1, 01 1, 012 
= 0, 604  300
= 181MPa
181 6644
Pfail = = 1202 KN
103

e) The working load to which this member can be subjected is 0,9 x 1202
= 1082 KN

Example

In an experiment, three strips of aluminum plate will be subjected to a slowly inversing

compression load until failure. The data for the test samples is as follows:

1st strip: 500 x 20 x 3 mm thick - One end clamped and the other pinned
2nd strip: 800 x 30 x 3 mm thick - Both ends clamped
3rd strip: 750 x 10 x 5 mm thick - One end clamped and the other free to rotate
and to move

Determine which strip will fail first and at what load. Young’s Modulus for aluminum =
70 GPA. Fy = 145 MPa

Solution
Summary of relevant properties.

K L (mm) A (mm2) I (mm4) r (mm) KL

r
Step 1 0,7 500 60 45 0,87 402,3
Step 2 0,5 800 90 62,5 0,87 459,8
Step 3 2,0 750 50 104,2 2,08 721,2

25
 KL  f y  145
=   = 402,3
For Step 1, r  2E    70 103
2

= 5,83

Cr = Permissible load (pure elastic buckling)

−2 0,9  60 145
=  Af y = = 230 N
5,832

KL  f y   145 
=   = 459,8  2 3 
For Step 2, r  2E     20 10 
= 6, 66

KL  f y   145 
=   = 721, 2  2 3 
For Step 3, r   2E     20 10 
= 10, 45

0,9  50 145
 Cr =  Af y  −2 = = 60 N
10, 452

Step 3 fails trust at 60 N.

Important Notes

1. You cannot apply the SABS 0162 equations given here to sections that are not
doubly-symmetric, i.e. symmetrical about both x-x and y-y axes.

2. The equations here only apply to non-stress-relieved, cold-formed hollow sections.

For other types of hollow sections, here is a similar set of equations in Clause
13.3.3.2 of the code. Those are not considered here.

3. You cannot apply the above equations to slender ‘Clause 4’ sections. (See notes
on ‘compression members’ in TSS 311.)

26
27
Tutorial Questions

A strut fabricated from Grade 300W steel has the cross-section shown in Figure 1. The
strut is so supported that its effective length about all axes is 13 m. The yield stress of the
steel is 300 MPa and Youngs Modulus 206 GPa.

Calculate

(a) The axial compressive force that would produce yield stress in the strut.
[39,000 kN]

(b) The Euler Buckling Load for the strut. [24,300 kN]

(c) The failure load for the strut according to Rankine’s Theory. [15,000 kN]

(d) The allowable load on the strut according to A13.3.3.1 of SABS 0162(1993)
[15 628 kN]

50

150

150

50

100 100 100 100

In the experimental determination of the failure loads for 12,5 mm diameter, steel, pin-
ended columns two of the values obtained were:

(i) length 500 mm, load 9800 N

(ii) length 200 mnm, load 26400 N

28
(a) State with reasons whether these values conform with the Euler theory.

(b) Assuming that both values conform with the Rankine formula, determine fy and the
constant in this formula, E = 200000 N/mm2.

Answer

a) (i) Yes. Approximately Pe = 9460 N

(ii) No. Pe 59139 N. Crushes before it can buckle.

b) fy = 320 MPa a = 119 x 10-6

An axially loaded column fabricated from Grade 300W steel has a rectangular cross-
section, 400 mm x 500 mm with two circular holes, each 200 mm in diameter, drilled in
the positions shown in Figure 5.

Young’s Modulus for Grade 300W steel is 206 GPa and it has a Yield Stress of 300 MPa.

Support conditions for the column are such that it has an effective length about its X-X or
major axis of 15 m while that about its Y-Y or minor axis is 13,75 m.

Calculate:

1. The axial compressive force which would produce yield stress in the section.

2. The Euler buckling load for the column.

3. The failure load for the column according to Rankine’s Theory.

4. The permissible load that could be taken by the column according to the
requirements of Clause 13.3.3.1 of SABS 0162(1993).

29
 Y

125

200
Dia

135

X X

125

200
Dia

125

Y
200 200

Figure 5

A column consists of two Grade 300W steel channels with the dimensions shown in
Figure Q5, and arranged as shown in the figure. The column is 5 m long and is so
connected that it is pinned at each end about its major principal axis X-X; but pinned at
one end and fixed at the other about its minor principal axis Y-Y. The yield stress for
Grade 300W steel is 300 MPa and Young’s modulus is 206 GPa.

Calculate

a) The axial compressive force that would produce yield stress in the column.
b) The Euler buckling load for the column.
c) The failure load on the column according to Rankine’s theory.
d) The allowable load on the column according to Table 18 of SABS 0162, which is
attached.

30
 Y
10 10

15

X X 270

15

100 100

Figure Q.5
(All dimensions in mm)

31