e-LAB 4: BUCKLING OF COMPRESSION MEMBER

In this experiment, you will determine the critical buckling load (Pcr) of aluminum strut. Carry
out the following instructions by referring to Figure 4.1.

Figure 4.1
e-LAB 4: BUCKLING OF COMPRESSION MEMBER
EQUIPMENTS
Buckling Test Machine

Aluminium strut of various

length:
• 370 mm
• 470 mm
• 520 mm

Ruler

Vernier Caliper

Table 4.0
e-LAB 4: BUCKLING OF COMPRESSION MEMBER

PROCEDURE
1) The bottom end restraint has been fitted to the machine and the top end restraint was
removed (to give two pinned ends). The struts of selected length which are (370 mm, 470
mm, 520 mm) then, measured the cross section using the vernier caliper and ruler. The
shortest aluminium strut has been selected which is 370 mm and the second moment of
𝑏ℎ3
area is calculated by using the formula I ═ .
12

Figure 4.2

2) The position of the sliding crosshead was adjusted to accept the aluminum strut using the
thumbnut to lock off the slider and to ensure that there is the maximum amount of travel
available on the hand wheel threat to compress the aluminum strut. Then, the locking screw
has been tightened up.

Figure 4.3
e-LAB 4: BUCKLING OF COMPRESSION MEMBER

3) Back off the handwheel slowly enough so that the strut is resting in the notch but not
transmitting any stress. Using the front panel control, reset the force meter.

Figure 4.4
4) Start to load the strut. If the strut begins to buckle to the left, flick the strut to the right and
vice versa. Handwheel is turned until there is no further increase in load.

Figure 4.5
5) Then procedure has been repeated with different length of aluminium strut (470mm and
520mm) and adjusting the crosshead as required to fit the aluminium strut.
6) To study the effect of end conditions, the same basic procedure has been followed, but this
time the bottom end restraint has been removed and the specimen was clamp using the
cap head screw and plate to make a pinned-fixed end condition.
7) For fixed-fixed end condition, the top end restraint has been fitted with the two cap head
screws and clamp both ends of the specimen. Notch but not transmitting any load. Using
the front panel control, reset the force meter. Then, the result has been recorded in the
worksheet.
e-LAB 4: BUCKLING OF COMPRESSION MEMBER
VARIABLES

Figure 4.6
The variable used for e-LAB 4 is the variable of the support and the length of strut. When we use
the pinned-pinned support, the buckling mode shape that occur at the buckling test machine is n =
1. Then, when the pinned-fixed used, the buckling mode shape is n = 2 and the buckling mode
shape is n = 3 when the fixed-fixed chosen. Next, the Pcr number increases as the length of strut
decreases.
e-LAB 4: BUCKLING OF COMPRESSION MEMBER

RESULT AND DATA ANALYSIS

i) From table, complete the calculations of Pcr for each size and end restrain condition.
Strut Length Pcr, End Restraint Conditions
(mm) Pinned – Pinned Pinned – Fixed Fixed – Fixed
(N) (N) (N)
370 -52 -72 -130
470 -47 -52 -94
520 -24 -41 -68
Table 4.2

BEAM SPECIMEN

Material of Beam Aluminium

Elasticity of Modulus, E 69000 N/𝑚3
Cross Section of Strut

Thickness of Strut, h = 1.8 mm

Base of Strut, b = 19 mm
Second Moment Area, I = 9.234 𝑚𝑚2
e-LAB 4: BUCKLING OF COMPRESSION MEMBER
RESULTS OF BUCKLING TEST

Part 1- Euler Buckling Load for Pinned-Pinned End Restraint Condition

Strut Length Buckling Load (N) Buckling Load (N) 1
(m2)
(mm) L2
Laboratory Calculations
370 52 45.93 7.31 × 10 -6
470 47 28.47 4.53 × 10 -6
520 24 23.26 3.70 × 10 -6

Part 2- Euler Buckling Load for Pinned-Fixed End Restraint Condition

Strut Length (m) Buckling Load (N) Buckling Load (N) 1

(m2)
L2
Laboratory Calculations
370 72 91.87 7.31 × 10 -6
470 52 56.93 4.53 × 10 -6
520 41 46.51 3.70 × 10 -6

Part 3- Euler Buckling Load for Fixed-Fixed End Restraint Condition

Strut Length (m) Buckling Load (N) Buckling Load (N) 1

(m2
L2
Laboratory Calculations
370 130 183.74 7.31 × 10 -6
470 94 113.87 4.53 × 10 -6
520 68 93.02 3.70 × 10 -6
e-LAB 4: BUCKLING OF COMPRESSION MEMBER
CALCULATION FOR BUCKLING TEST

Calculation for Pinned-Pinned End Restrained Condition

Factor Accounting for The End Condition, n: 1

Struct Fixing Condition:

Euler Buckling Load Formula: 𝜋 2 𝐸𝐼

𝑃ℴ ═
𝐿2

Strut length (370mm)

𝜋 2 (69000)(9.234)
Pcr = 3702

= 45.93 N

Strut length (470mm)

𝜋 2 (69000)(9.234 )
Pcr = 4702

= 28.47 N

Strut length (470mm)

𝜋 2 (69000)(9.234)
Pcr = 5202

= 23.26 N
e-LAB 4: BUCKLING OF COMPRESSION MEMBER
Calculation for Pinned-Fixed End Restrained Condition

Factor Accounting for The End Condition, n: 2

Struct Fixing Condition:

Euler Buckling Load Formula: 2𝜋 2 𝐸𝐼

𝑃ℴ ═
𝐿2

Strut length (370mm)

2𝜋2 (69000)(9.234 )
Pcr = 3702

= 91.87 N

Strut length (470mm)

2𝜋2 (69000)(9.234 )
Pcr = 4702

= 56.93 N

Strut length (520mm)

2𝜋2 (69000)(9.234 )
Pcr =
5202
= 46.51N
e-LAB 4: BUCKLING OF COMPRESSION MEMBER
Calculation for Fixed-Fixed End Restrained Condition

Factor Accounting for The End Condition, n: 1

Struct Fixing Condition:

Euler Buckling Load Formula: 4𝜋 2 𝐸𝐼

𝑃ℴ ═
𝐿2

Strut length (370mm)

4𝜋2 (69000)(9.234 )
Pcr = 3702
= 183.74 N

Strut length (470mm)

4𝜋2 (69000)(9.234 )
Pcr = 4702
= 113.87 N

Strut length (520mm)

4π2 (69000)(9.234)
Pcr = 5202

= 93.02 N
e-LAB 4: BUCKLING OF COMPRESSION MEMBER

ii) Compare the outcome from the calculations made in 4a(i) with the laboratory results.
You may use any type of graphical illustrations as part in your discussions in order to
explain the relationship between both parameters (end restraints and strut length) against
Pcr.

GRAPH OF END RESTRAINT VS LENGTH OF STRUT

Figure 4.7
e-LAB 4: BUCKLING OF COMPRESSION MEMBER

iii) Using the Euler buckling curve shows in Figure 4.8, identify the classification of the
compression member for each aluminum strut length at respective end restraint
conditions.

Figure 4.8

a. Calculation of radius gyration.

𝑟 = √𝐼/𝐴

Where,
I = Moment of Inertia
= 9.234 𝑚𝑚2

A = Area of cross-section
A = 19 × 1.8
= 34.2 𝑚𝑚4

9.234
r=√
34.2
= 0.52 𝑚𝑚2
 e-LAB 4: BUCKLING OF COMPRESSION MEMBER
b. Calculation of slenderness ratio

𝑘𝐿
SI =
𝑟

Pinned-Pinned (N)
k=1

i. Aluminium Strut = 370 mm

(1)(370)
SI =
0.52
= 711.54

ii. Aluminium Strut = 470 mm

(1)(470)
SI =
0.52
= 903.85

iii. Aluminium Strut = 520 mm

(1)(520)
SI =
0.52
= 1000

Pinned-Fixed (N)
k = 0.7

i. Aluminium Strut = 370 mm

(0.7)(370)
SI =
0.52
= 498.08

ii. Aluminium Strut = 470 mm

(0.7)(470)
SI =
0.52
= 632.69

iii. Aluminium Strut = 520 mm

(0.7)(520)
SI =
0.52
= 700
e-LAB 4: BUCKLING OF COMPRESSION MEMBER
Fixed-Fixed (N)
k = 0.5
i. Aluminium Strut = 370 mm

(0.5)(370)
SI =
0.52
= 355.77

ii. Aluminium Strut = 470 mm

(0.5)(470)
SI =
0.52
= 451.92

iii. Aluminium Strut = 520 mm

(0.5)(520)
SI =
0.52
= 500

c. Calculation of critical stress of aluminium, E = 69 x 103 MPa

𝜋2 𝐸
𝝈𝒄𝒓 = 𝑃𝑐𝑟
𝐴
=
(𝑆𝐼) 2

Pinned – Pinned (N)

k=1
i. Aluminium Strut = 370 mm
𝜋2 (69 × 103 )
𝝈𝒄𝒓 =
(711.54) 2

= 1.35 MPa
ii. Aluminium Strut = 470 mm
𝜋2 (69 × 103 )
𝝈𝒄𝒓 = (903.85) 2

= 0.83 MPa
iii. Aluminium Strut = 520 mm
𝜋2 (69 × 103 )
𝝈𝒄𝒓 = (10000 ) 2

= 0.68 MPa
e-LAB 4: BUCKLING OF COMPRESSION MEMBER
Pinned – Fixed (N)
k = 0.7
i. Aluminium Strut = 370 mm
𝜋2 (69 × 103 )
𝝈𝒄𝒓 = (498.08) 2

= 2.75 MPa
ii. Aluminium Strut = 470 mm
𝜋2 (69 × 103)
𝝈𝒄𝒓 =
(632.69) 2

= 1.70 MPa
iii. Aluminium Strut = 520 mm
𝜋2 (69 × 103 )
𝝈𝒄𝒓 = (700) 2

= 1.39 MPa
Fixed – Fixed (N)
k = 0.5
i. Aluminium Strut = 370 mm
𝜋2 (69 × 103 )
𝝈𝒄𝒓 = (355.77) 2

= 5.38 MPa
ii. Aluminium Strut = 470 mm
𝜋2 (69 × 103 )
𝝈𝒄𝒓 =
(451.92) 2

= 3.33 MPa

iii. Aluminium Strut = 520 mm

𝜋2 (69 × 103 )
𝝈𝒄𝒓 =
(500) 2

= 2.72 MPa
e-LAB 4: BUCKLING OF COMPRESSION MEMBER
A is approximately 19, 19 < B < 60.3, C > 60.3Therefore, the value in the table if :
➢ A < 19 = Short Post - No buckling
➢ 19 < B < 60.3 = Intermediate Column - Inelastic buckling
➢ C > 60.3 = Long Column - Elastic buckling

Strut length End restraint Pcr value Results

(mm) conditions (N)

370 Pinned-pinned 45.93 Intermediate Column -Inelastic

buckling
B = 19 < 45.93 < 60.3

Pinned-Fixed 91.87 Long Column - Elastic buckling

C = 91.87 > 60.3

Fixed-Fixed 183.74 Long Column - Elastic buckling

C = 183.74 > 60.3

470 Pinned-pinned 28.47 Intermediate Column –Inelastic

buckling
B = 19 < 28.47 < 60.3

Pinned-Fixed 56.93 Intermediate Column -Inelastic

buckling
B = 19 < 56.93 < 60.3

Fixed-Fixed 113.87 Intermediate Column -Inelastic

buckling
C = 118.87 > 60.3
520 Pinned-pinned 23.26 Intermediate Column -Inelastic
buckling
B = 19 < 23.26 < 60.3

Pinned-Fixed 46.51 Intermediate Column -Inelastic

buckling
B = 19 < 46.51< 60.3

Fixed-Fixed 93.02 Intermediate Column -Inelastic

buckling
C = 93.02 > 60.3