Experiment no 02

Objective
To determine the Euler’s crippling load for a set of struts with different end
conditions.

Apparatus
 Euler’s Cripping Apparatus
 Weights

Euler’s Cripping Apparatus

Theory
Struts and Column
A structural member subjected to an axial compressive fore is called strut.
As per definition strut may be horizontal, inclined or even vertical. Vertical strut
is called a column.

Application of Struts
Shock absorbers and struts are parts of the vehicle suspension. They absorb
shocks from the bumps and potholes and keep your vehicle riding smooth and
stable. A strut is a shock absorber built into one unit with a coil spring.

Figure shows a plain view of house roof in which the struts are used to
prop up the purlin and transfer that load down onto a load bearing wall, or
another length of timber that reaches from front to back. They do not transfer
the load onto the ceiling joists.

Euler’s Column Theory: This theory has the following

assumptions.
Perfectly straight column and axial load apply. Uniform cross-section of
the column throughout its length. Perfectly elastic homogeneous and isotropic
material. Length of column is large as compared to its cross-sectional
dimensions. The shortening of column due to direct compression is neglected.
The failure of column occurs due to buckling alone.

Some important points in respect concept of Struts

 Struts might be subjected with vertical, horizontal and inclined loads.
 Struts will not be vertical but also it will be inclined or horizontal embers
in structures. If one strut is vertical, then it will be considered as column
not strut.
 Struts will be shorter in length as compared to columns.
 In case of strut, one end or both ends of structural member are hinged or
pin joined.
 Normally, struts carry smaller compressive loads.
  Cross-sectional dimensions of struts will be usually small.
 Applications of struts are usually seen in roof truss and bridge trusses

Column
Column is basically defined as a vertical member of a structure and it will
be subjected with vertical compressive load. Line of action of compressive load
will pass through the axis of the column or sometime also parallel to the axis of
the column.

In simple, a member of structure will be termed as column if it is vertical and

it’s both ends are fixed rigidly and also subjected with axial vertical
compressive load.

Euler postulated a theory for columns based on the following

assumptions:

 Column is very long in proportion to its cross sectional dimensions

 Column is initially straight and the compressive load is applied axially
 Material of the column is elastic, homogeneous and isotropic
 Effect of direct stress is very small in comparison with bending stress.
 Column shall fail by buckling alone.
 Effect of self-weight of column is negligible
What is the difference between buckling and bending?

Bending When a transverse load is applied on a beam some internal

stresses are produced. One of these stresses produced is called as
Bending, due to which the beam bends downwards. For example, a
wooden bench on which you sit is a perfect example of pure bending. It is
generally observed in beams and slabs because they are the members that
are designed to take loads. Loads are applied vertically (generally) along
their length, while the ends are held in position and hence the displacement
of such member along the load direction from the original position is
bending. Bending is allowed in beam up to permissible limit.which have
higher values.

Buckling: When a member is subjected to axial compression and if the

member is slender, then buckling occurs. The member in which buckling
normally occurs is a column. It sometimes occurs due to the self-weight of
the column itself. Buckling is not a type of error we would want to have in
our structure, because once buckling starts, it induces eccentricity to the
load, and that eccentricity again induces additional moments which cause
the member to deflect even more. Once buckling occurs, majority of the
chances are that the structure will collapse in the future.
Formula’s for different Conditions in Euler’s Crippling
Apparatus
Both pinned Condition
For both pinned condition, theoretical calculation is done by
following formula.

Fc=

Both Fixed Condition

For both fixed condition, theoretical calculation is done by
following formula.

Fc=

Fixed Pin Condition

For fixed pin condition, theoretical calculation is done by
following formula.

Fc=

Fixed Pinned on slide Condition

For fixed pinned on slide condition, theoretical calculation is
done by following formula.

Fc=
 Where,

Fc= Euler’s Crippling Load

E= Modulus of Elasticity of material

L= Length of strut

Limitation of Euler’s Formula

There is always crookedness in the column and the load may not be
exactly axial. This formula does not take into account the axial stress and the
buckling load given by this formula may be much more than the actual buckling
load.

Observation Table
L=150mm

E= 207GPA

b= 9.47mm

h= 0.508mm

I=bh3/12= 0.1034mm4

Sr. End Conditions Experimental Load Theoretical Load

No. (N) (N)
1

4
Sample Calculation

Conclusion
 Mechanics of material-II lab Report
Experiment 02

Submitted to: Sir Hafiz Muhammad Usman Iqbal

Submitted by: Waqas Ibrahim

Roll no: 18-MCE-49

Section B

Department of Mechanical Engineering

NFC Institute of Engineering and Fertilizer

Research Faisalabad