CSE 362

Design of Steel Structures

Laboratory Test 3: Instability of a column Objective: To study the axial buckling behaviour of a column. Test procedures: 1. The test setup is shown in Figure 1. Displacement transducers are installed at the top and the mid height of the column. 2. An axial load is applied at the top of the column. For each load increment (2 kN), all displacement data is recorded. 3. The column is loaded to failure. 4. Repeat the test with the addition of a positional restraint. Test report shall include objectives, observation of test, interpretation of test data, and comparison with theoretical calculation.

Figure 1

CSE 362

Design of Steel Structures

Laboratory Test 3: Instability of a column Notes to the preparation of laboratory report 1. Data collection a) b) c) d) e) 2. Obtain all dimensions of the column. Plot the load displacement curves for both axial and transverse displacements. Identify both the elastic linear range and the plastic non-linear range on the curves. Identify and sketch the mode of failure of the column. Draw the deformed shape of the critical cross-section of the column at failure.

Processing of test data a) Determine the elastic critical load of the column according to elastic stability theory.

3.

Comparison with theoretical calculation a) b) c) Estimate the axial buckling load of the column according to BS5950: Part 1. Make comparison between the theoretically predicted and the experimentally observed results. Comment on the accuracy of both the predicted and observed results.

CSE 362

Design of Steel Structures

Laboratory Test 3: Instability of a column

y T
D 3 B (D 2T) 3 (B 2t) 12

Ix = D t x

3 3 Iy = B D (B 2t) (D 2T) 12

Elastic critical load 2 EI P= L2 e where E = 205 kN/mm2 for steel Le = k L k = 1.00 for pinned connection at both ends k = 0.85 for fix-pin connection k = 0.70 for fixed connection at both ends L is the member length between restraints. Compression resistance according to BS5950: Part 1 Pc = A g p c where Ag = D B (D-2T) (B-2t) pc is the compressive strength = Le/r I r = Ag
It should be noted that the modulus of elasticity of aluminum is 70 kN/mm2. For the sake of comparison, it is assumed in this exercise that the design rules in BS5950: Part 1 are applicable to aluminum structures with suitable material properties. In general, this assumption may not be correct.