Ar. Arthur Cutinho @ Er.

Sujata Mehta

TOS2: UNIT 4B
FAILURE OF
COLUMNS:EULER’S
AND RANKINE’S
THEORY 1. Euler’s
Theory
2.Rankines’s
1. To Understand the Failure of Axially Theory
Loaded Columns
2. To Understand Euler’s Theory and Short
and Long Columns
3. To Understand the Limitations of Euler’s
Theory
4. To Understand Effective Lengths for
various End Conditions
5. To Understand Slenderness Ratio (λ) and
its value for Buckling for various Materials
6. To Understand Rankine’s Theory.
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TOS 2: Unit4B: Failure of Columns; Euler’s Theory and

Rankine’s Theory
4.B.1 Introduction: A column is a vertical member subjected to either axial loading or
eccentric loading.

An axially loaded column may undergo two different kinds of deformations depending upon the
height of the column; it’s cross sectional area and the load to which it is subjected. These
deformations are as follows
1. The column may get compressed, eventually leading to crushing of the material as the load
increases beyond a certain point.
2. The column may bend outwardly leading to a condition called buckling and finally may fail
due to this buckling.
To get a clear picture of this take a full chalk and then break a small piece of the same. Apply a
pressure on this small piece of chalk with your closed fist. Upon application of a certain pressure, the
material of the chalk just crumbles or gets crushed under the pressure. Apply the same pressure on a
full piece of chalk. It is very likely that the piece of chalk breaks simply by snapping in the middle.
The chalk material being brittle snaps before it bends. Imagine a load being applied to a walking
stick. The stick starts bending outside and upon application of a certain load is likely to snap across
the middle. This load at which it starts bending outward is called the Buckling or Crippling Load.
However now imagine that the cross section of the walking stick is much more i.e. it has a greater
diameter. Would such a stick bend outwardly?

Unit 4B Failure of Columns; Euler's Theory and Rankine's Theory Compiled by Ar. Arthur Cutinho @ Er. Sujata Mehta
 55

Hence we can safely conclude that the failure of an axial compression member is dependent of three
variables
1. Axial Compressive load applied
2. Cross section of the member
3. Height of the member/ (Effective length – end conditions, to be discussed later)
Accordingly a column is classified as follows
1. Short column – one which fails by crushing.
2. Long column – one which fails by buckling.
4.B.2 Euler’s Theory
4B.2.A.Assumptions in Euler’s Theory:
1. The material of the column is Isotropic and Homogenous
2. The cross section is uniform throughout the length of the column.
3. The load is placed axially and the column is straight when the load is placed.
4. The column is long and is going to fail by buckling only
5. The stresses are within the elastic limit.

4B.2.B. PE = Euler’s Load

The load calculated by Euler’s theory is called as Crippling Load or Critical Load or
 

 =
(
)
Where

 =    Or Euler’s Load or Buckling Load
E = Young’s Modulus of the Material of the Column
I = Moment of Inertia Minimum
= bd³/12 for rectangular sections and
= πD⁴/64 for circular sections
Le = Effective Length of the Column Member

4.B.3 Limitations Of Euler’s Theory

 

 =
(
)

If K is radius of Gyration (the distance at which the area of a plane lamina can be safely assumed to
be concentrated so that the Moment of Inertia of the area about its own c.g. is the same as the
double moment of area about that point. So  =  
     

 = Same as = (
)
(
)   

The term Le/K is known as the slenderness ratio and is denoted by λ. λ = Le/K
The term PE/A is the stress in the body i.e. Force/Area. As the value of stress in steel is limited to
250N/mm², the value of slenderness ratio for steel from the above equation limits to 88.84 or 90
Substitute PE/A = 250N/mm², E = 2 x 10⁵N/mm²
λ = 88.84=90.

Unit 4B Failure of Columns; Euler's Theory and Rankine's Theory Compiled by Ar. Arthur Cutinho @ Er. Sujata Mehta
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Thus we can see that the value of λ for steel is limited to 90, below which the column will fail due to
crushing and above which it will fail due to buckling. Thus Euler’s theory is limited to long columns.
This Limitation of Euler’s Theory is overcome by another theory known as Rankine’s Theory and is
discussed later on in this chapter.
Greater the Slenderness Ratio Lesser the Buckling Load and Lesser the Slenderness Ratio Greater the
Buckling Load
We shall discuss the relationship between Buckling Load, Slenderness Ratio and Material after the
next discussion
4.B.4 Effective Length of a Column Member
It would be good for us to study the term Effective length and its relation to the actual length with
the help of the following different end conditions for Columns.
1. Both ends Fixed  = /2

2. One end Fixed and one end Hinged  =
√
3. Both ends Hinged  =
4. One end Fixed and One end Free  = 2
These conditions and their implications can be seen in the diagrams given below.

4.B.5 Slenderness Ratio and Material:

As explained earlier the ratio of the effective length of a column to the least radius of gyration of its
cross section is called the slenderness ratio (sometimes expressed with the Greek letter lambda, λ).
This ratio affords a means of classifying columns. Slenderness ratio is important for design
considerations. All the following are approximate values used for convenience.
1. A short steel column is one whose slenderness ratio does not exceed 50; an intermediate
length steel column has a slenderness ratio ranging from about 50 to 200, and are dominated
by the strength limit of the material, while a long steel column may be assumed to have a
slenderness ratio greater than 200 and its behavior is dominated by the modulus of elasticity of
the material.
2. A short concrete column is one having a ratio of unsupported length to least dimension of the
cross section equal to or less than 12. If the ratio is greater than 12, it is considered a long
column (sometimes referred to as a slender column).
3. Timber columns may be classified as short columns if the ratio of the length to least dimension
of the cross section is equal to or less than 10. The dividing line between intermediate and long
timber columns cannot be readily evaluated
Unit 4B Failure of Columns; Euler's Theory and Rankine's Theory Compiled by Ar. Arthur Cutinho @ Er. Sujata Mehta
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In practice the ideal conditions are never [i.e. the strut is initially straight and the end load being
applied axially through centroid] reached. There is always some eccentricity and initial curvature
present. It is realized that, due to the above mentioned imperfections the strut will suffer a
deflection which increases with load and consequently a bending moment is introduced which
causes failure before the Euler's load is reached. In fact failure is by stress rather than by buckling
and the deviation from the Euler value is more marked as the slenderness-ratio l/k is reduced. For
values of l/k < 120 approximately, the error in applying the Euler theory is too great to allow of its
use. The following is a graphical representation of the above discussion.
Allowing for the
imperfections of
loading of strut,
actual values at
failure must lie
within and below
line CBD.

Other formulae have

therefore been
derived to attempt
to obtain closer
agreement between
the actual failing
load and the predicted value in this particular range of slenderness ratio
I.e. l/k=40 to l/k=100.

Problem 1. A steel rod 5.5m long and having a diameter of 4.5cm is used as a column with one
end fixed and the other free. Determine crippling load if E=2 X 10⁵ N/mm².
  
Solution:
 = (
)
π= 3.14
E= 2 X 10⁵ N/mm²
Imin = πD⁴/64 = 3.14 X (45)⁴/64 = 201186.91mm⁴(D = 4.5 cm = 45mm)
Le = 2L = 2 X 5500 = 11000mm as L= 5.5 m = 5500mm (One end Fixed and the other free)
Hence Substituting
  $.&'² )  ) &*+ ) *&&,-..&
PE = = = 3278N = 3.278kN.
(
) &&***²
Answer: The Buckling Load as per Euler’s Theory is 3.278kN

In all these problems it is a good idea to write down all the necessary terms in Newtons
and mm and then substitute the same.

Problem 2. A steel column fixed at one end and free at the other end has Ixx = 39210.8cm⁴ and
Iyy = 2985.2cm⁴. It is required to carry a safe load of 240kN. , with factor of safety of 2.5.
Calculate maximum height using Euler’s Formula. E=2 X 10⁵ N/mm².
Unit 4B Failure of Columns; Euler's Theory and Rankine's Theory Compiled by Ar. Arthur Cutinho @ Er. Sujata Mehta
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Solution:
1. When we have Ixx not equal to Iyy we choose the lower I as with this I the PE will be lower and
will be the limiting buckling load in both directions.
Hence I = Imin = Iyy = 2985.2 cm⁴ = 2985.2 x 10⁴mm⁴
/0123 425
Safe Load = 62/047 48 928
0: Hence Safe Load = Actual Load x F.O.S = 240 X 2.5 = 600 X 10³N
Hence PE = 600000N and E = 2 X 10⁵N/mm²
 
PE = (
)
$.&'² ; ; &*+ ; .,<. ; &*⁴
600000 =
(
)
Le² = 98109593. Hence Le = 9905mm
Le = 2L (One end Fixed and the other free) Hence L = Le/2 = 9905/2 = 4952.5 mm = 4.952m
Answer: The maximum Height without buckling is 4.952m

Problem 3. A hollow rectangular section with overall dimensions 100mm x 200mm is having a
10mm wall thickness and is being used as a compression member 7m long, fixed at one end and
hinged at the other. Determine crippling load. E = 2 X 10⁵N/mm²
Solution: As already discussed we always use the minimum between Ixx and Iyy
The Outer Dimensions of the column are 100mm x 200mm and Inner Dimensions are 80mm x
180mm
I for a rectangular section is bd³/12
I min = (200 x 100³/12) – (180 x 80³/12) (I maximum = (100 x 200³/12) – (80 x 180³/12))
I min = 16666666.6667 – 7680000 = 8986666mm⁴
Le = L/√2 = 7000mm/√2 = 7000x.707 = 4949.74 (One End Fixed and one End Hinged)
  
PE =
(
)
$.&'² ;  ; &*+ ; ,.,----
PE =
('.'..>')²
PE = 723307.75 N = 723.3kN.
Answer: Buckling Load is 723.3kN.

Problem 4. ISHB 300 @63.0 kg/m is used as a Stanchion Fixed at one end and Hinged at the other
6m high. If E = 2 X 10⁵N/mm². Calculate Crippling Load.
Given Ixx = 12950.2cm⁴ and Iyy = 2246.7cm⁴. Answer: 2460.54kN.

Problem 5. A Concrete Column of size 230 x 600 is used as a column with one end Fixed and the
other free of Height 4.2m. If E = 0.15 X 10⁵N/mm². Find the Buckling load. Answer: 1275.10kN.

Unit 4B Failure of Columns; Euler's Theory and Rankine's Theory Compiled by Ar. Arthur Cutinho @ Er. Sujata Mehta
 59

4.B.6 Rankine’s Theory

It has been shown that Euler’s formula is valid for long column having l/k ratio greater than a certain
value for a particular material (97 in case of steel). Euler’s formula does not give a reliable result for
short column and length of column intermediate between very long to short. An empirical formula
has been proposed by Rankine for columns of all lengths. The proposed formula is
& & &
= +
 ? 
 
Where P =Rankine’s load, PC = Crushing load = σc × A, PE = Euler’s load =
(
)
For very Short columns, PE is very large compared to PC so 1/ PE is very small, thus P = PC,
For very Long Columns PC is very large compared to PE, SO 1/PC is very small, thus P = PE
Rankine’s formula can also be rewritten as follows.
@A.@B
P=
@AC@B

Problem 6. Check whether a column of a building is safe or not. Column is of mild steel of Outer
diameter 240mm and inner diameter 200mm whose length is 3m and both ends are fixed. Load
coming on that column is 4000kN. Critical stress coming on that column is 320N/mm².
@A.@B
Solution: P =
@AC@B
A = π (24²-20²)/4 X 10² = 138.16 X 10²mm²
I = 3.14/64(24⁴-20⁴) X 10⁴ = 8427.76 X 10⁴mm⁴
Le = 3000/2 = 1500mm (as both ends are fixed)
1. PC = σc. A = 320 X 138.16 X 10² = 4421120N = 4421kN
  
2. PE =
(
)
D.EFG H G H EIJ H KFGL M EI⁴
=
EJII²
PE = 73861637.7742N = 73862kN
''& N >$,-
3. P = = 4171431.52 N = 4171kN. Answer: The failure Load is 4171kN
''&C>$,-
As Load coming on Column = 4000kN < 4171kN which it can bear the column is safe.

{Note: The Column is a Short column having an effective height of 1.5m. Here the Buckling Load
of 73862kN is about 16.7 times the Crushing load of 4421kN. The Rankine’s Load of 4171kN
is a number closer to the Crushing Load and smaller than the Crushing Load}

Problem 7. A Hollow Square Column has a cross-section of 400mm x 400mm with 10mm wall
thickness. Length of the Column is 4m, with one fixed and the other hinged. Crushing Stress =
320N/mm². E = 2 X 10⁵N/mm².
Solution:
Cross-sectional Area = 400 x 400 – 380 x 380 = 15600mm²
Ixx = Iyy = Imin = 400 x 400³/12 – 380 x 380³/12= 39572 x 10⁴mm⁴
Le = 4000/√2 = 2828mm (One End Fixed One End Hinged)

Unit 4B Failure of Columns; Euler's Theory and Rankine's Theory Compiled by Ar. Arthur Cutinho @ Er. Sujata Mehta
 60

1. PC = σc. A = 320 X 15600 = 4992000N = 4992kN

  D.EFG H G H EIJ H DOJLGP EI⁴
2. PE = (
) = GKGK²
= 97570.49kN
'..Q .><>*.'.
3. P = '..C.><>*.'.
= 4749.03kN. Answer: The failure Load is 4749.03kN
{Note: The Column is a Short column having an effective height of 2.828m. Hence the Buckling
Load of 97570.49kN is about 19 times the Crushing load of 4992kN. The Rankine’s Load of
4749.49kN is a number closer to the Crushing Load and smaller than the Crushing Load.}
Problem 8. A Concrete Column of size 230 x 400 is used as a column with both ends hinged of
height 10.0m. If E = 0.20 X 10⁵N/mm². Find Failure Load by Rankine's Theory. Crushing Stress in
Concrete is 25N/mm²
Solution:
E = 0.20 X 10⁵N/mm², σc = 25N/mm²
Cross- Sectional Area = 230 x 400 = 92000mm²
Imin = 400 x 230³/12 = 405.56 x 10⁶mm⁴
Le = 10.0m = 10000mm (Le=L as both ends are hinged.)
1. PC = σc. A = 25 X 92000 = 2300000N = 2300kN.
   D.EFG H I.GI H EIJ H FIJ.JRMEI⁶
2. PE = (
) = EIIII²
= 799731N = 799.73kN
$**Q >...>$
3. P = $**C>...>$ = 593.41kN
{Note: The Column is a Long column having an effective height of 10.0m. Hence the Crushing Load
of 2300kN is about 2.87 times the Buckling load of 799.73kN. The Rankine’s Load is a
number closer to the Buckling Load and smaller than the Buckling Load.}
My Way of simplifying calculations:
If the Column is a Short Column PE will be large compared to PC. Let PE = y x PC
@A.@B @A Q T Q @A
So P = or P =
@AC@B @ACT Q @A
T @A Q @A V
Hence P = = x PC where y = PE/PC (ratio of larger load to smaller load)
@A(UC&) VC&
Hence in the last problem after finding PC = 2300kN and PE = 799.3kN
y = PC/PE = 2300/799.73 = 2.875
Hence y/(y+1) = 2.875/3.875 = 0.742
P = 0.74 x PE = 0.742 x 799.73 = 593.54kN.
Hence the P by Rankine’s Theory is a number smaller than (to the ratio of y/y+1) than the smaller of
the two loads between PE and PC.
Suggested Theory Questions: Unit 4B
I. What are Short and Long Columns?
II. What are the assumptions of Euler’s Theory of Buckling
III. Write down Euler’s Formula and explain each term
IV. Explain the Limitation of Euler’s Theory.
V. Draw Various End Conditions of Column and show their effective lengths
VI. Explain Slenderness Ratio and its relationship to Buckling
VII. Write down Rankine’s Formula for Failure Load of Columns and Explain how it over comes the
Limitations of Euler’s Theory
Unit 4B Failure of Columns; Euler's Theory and Rankine's Theory Compiled by Ar. Arthur Cutinho @ Er. Sujata Mehta