Mechanics of Solids

Columns and Struts

Dr. Ricky Lalthazuala

National Institute of Technology Mizoram

Aizawl – 796012, INDIA
 Mechanics of Solids

Columns and struts

• A vertical member with both ends fixed subjected to axial compressive load are generally called columns

• A member not necessarily vertical subjected to compression are called struts

• The compression members in a roof trusses and bracings are called struts

• The vertical compression member in a building supporting beams/girders are called columns (or
stanchions in UK)

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Failure modes of column

1) Squashing
2) Local buckling
3) Overall Flexural buckling
4) Flexural-torsional buckling
5) Torsional buckling

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Failure modes:
1) Squashing
• If the length of the compression member is relatively less. The column will be able to attain its full
strength (i.e. squash load)
 Squash load = yield strength x Gross cross-sectional area

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2) Local buckling
• For very thin sections, the individual elements of a compressive
member such as flange, web may buckle locally

3) Global buckling
• For long compression member, flexural buckling occurs perpendicular
to its longitudinal axis in its plane of weaker axis

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4) Torsional buckling
• Torsional buckling occurs due to torsional moment when torsional
moment dominates
• The member gets twisted about the shear center in the longitudinal axis

5) Flexural-torsional buckling
• It occurs when member bends and twists simultaneously

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Classification of compression member

depending on length:
1) Short compression member
2) Long compression member
3) Intermediate compression member

NOTE:
• Most of the cases, the column lies in intermediate compression member

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Short compression member

• If the compression member is short, the applied forces will cause a compressive strain resulting in
shortening in the direction of applied forces
• Under incremental loading, the shortening continues until the column yields or squashes.
• Also, if the member is very thin, it may undergo localized buckling.

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Short compression member

• A short column of uniform cross-sectional area A
• Subjected to axial compressive load P
• P will be gradually increased such that columns fail by crushing/squashing
• P = Pc = Crushing/squashing load
• σc = crushing stress

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Long compression member

• If the compression member is long, the applied forces will cause a axial shortening at initial stages
of incremental loading.
• As the length of the member increases, its strength decreases due to buckling (deformation
perpendicular to its longitudinal axis)
• Under incremental loading, the member becomes unstable and develops a deformation in the
direction normal to the loading axis. The column is under buckling.
• The minimum load at which a column tends to buckle or bend with respect to initial direction
is called buckling load

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Elastic buckling of Long compression member

• It was first originated by Euler in 1744-1759
• Assumptions:

1) The cross-section of the column is uniform throughout

2) The column is initially perfectly straight and the load is applied axially
3) The column material is perfectly elastic, homogenous and isotropic and obeys Hooke’s
law
4) The column is long and fails by buckling
5) The self-weight of column is negligible

• Such a column is called Euler’s column

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BOTH ENDS OF THE COLUMN ARE HINGED

𝑴 = −𝑷𝒚
𝑬𝑰𝒅𝟐 𝒚
𝑴=
𝒅𝒙𝟐

𝑬𝑰𝝅𝟐
𝑷𝒄𝒓 =
𝑳𝒆𝟐 11
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𝑲𝑳 𝑳𝒆
𝝀= =
𝒓 𝒓

Effective length
The effective length can be defined as the length of an equivalent column of same material
and cross-section with hinged ends having the same buckling load. It is denoted by Le

𝑳𝒆 = 𝑲𝑳

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LIMITATIONS OF EULER’S COLUMN

fcr = crippling/buckling stress

𝑲𝑳 𝑳𝒆
𝝀= =
𝒓 𝒓

• The column buckling stress cannot be greater than crushing stress (i.e. fcr < σc)
• Hence for a slenderness ratio less than a certain limit, Euler’s formula gives a value of
crippling stress greater than crushing stress

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STRENGTH CURVE FOR AN IDEAL EULER’S COLUMN

• The failure limit for short column failing by squashing may be taken as fy, even though it can be
loaded up to strain-hardening range:

• The changeover from yielding to buckling occurs at point C.

• If λ> λp, failure is governed by buckling

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 Steel Design

Multiple column design curves

• Formula based on maximum strength

• Formula based on the yield limit state (i.e. Perry Robertson formula)

• Formula based on tangent modulus theory

• Empirical formula such as Merchant-Rankine formula

NOTE:
• The Indian code (IS 800:2007) adopted multiple column curves based on Perry Robertson
theory
• British code (BS 5950 Part 1 2000) adopts the same

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1) One end is fixed and other end is free

2) Both ends are fixed

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3) One end is fixed and other end is hinged

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