KWAME NKRUMAH UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
FACULTY OF MECHANICAL AND CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
GROUP D
TITLE : BUCKLING LOAD OF A PINNED-END STRUT
DATE : 21/07/2023

INDEX NUMBER NAME

3132520 ABIA Elorm
3133720 ADDISON Kennedy Afriyie
3134920 AGYARE Bismark
3136220 AMOAH Josephine
3137420 ANOBAH Edwin Kwabena
3138720 ASAMOAH Gideon Owusu
3139920 ATTOH Eugene
3141420 BELLO Raphael Ametefe Komla
3142720 CORNELIUS Godwin
3143920 EFFAH Ewuradwoa
3145120 HAGAN John Derek Kakraba
3146320 KORANKYE MESU John Paul
3147620 MAHMOUD Iddris Suhuyini
3149020 NANA Benedict Owusu
3150220 OBENG Lawrence
3151620 OPPON William Collins
3152920 OWUSU Samuel Nyarko Max
3154320 SAEED Hamza
3155520 TEYE Prince Terkpetey
3156820 ADAMS Fenyiwa Araba
3158020 BOATENG Ricky Ofori
5481720 BRONI Appiah Kofi

LECTURER: Dr. Y.A.K. Fiagbe

SUMMARY

The experiment involved testing five aluminum beams of different lengths but identical width
and thickness. The beams were fitted successively into a section of a rectangular structural
frame, functioning as a pin joint. A threaded mechanism was used to apply compressive forces to
the beams, and a digital instrument measured the applied force.

The procedure began with the shortest beam, gradually increasing the load until the beam
buckled. Load was continuously increased until a critical point was reached where the load
remained constant despite further increments in the applied force. At this point, the load value
was recorded. This process was repeated for each beam in ascending order of length.

The experiment aimed to investigate the buckling behavior of the aluminum beams under
compressive forces. By measuring the critical buckling load for each beam, we could analyze
how the beam's length influenced its buckling strength. The results could provide valuable
insights into the structural behavior of the beams and help in engineering and design
applications.

INTRODUCTION

Beams are an essential and ubiquitous element in our everyday lives, silently supporting the
structures we encounter, from bridges and buildings to furniture and even playground equipment.
While these beams may appear sturdy and unyielding, they can be susceptible to a fascinating
phenomenon known as buckling. Understanding buckling is of paramount importance in
engineering and structural design to ensure the safety and reliability of various constructions.

When a beam is subjected to compressive forces, it may eventually reach a critical point where it
suddenly fails under its own weight. This critical load, known as the buckling load, causes the
beam to buckle or deform in a lateral direction rather than directly supporting the applied load.
This phenomenon can lead to structural failure, compromising the stability of the entire system.

This experiment aimed to explore the intriguing realm of buckling behavior and how the beam's
length influenced its buckling strength by subjecting each beam to gradually increasing loads.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The aim and objective of the experiment were to investigate the buckling behavior of aluminum
beams with varying lengths under compressive forces and determine their critical buckling loads.

SETUP EQUIPMENT (APPARATUS)

• Five aluminum beams with different lengths
• A rectangular structural frame
• A digital force measurement
• Vernier caliper

PROCEDURE
1 Experiment setup
1. Setup and preparation:
• A rectangular structural frame with a threaded mechanism (to provide compressive force)
and a digital force measuring instrument attached to it was securely fixed on a stable
surface.
• The length, width, and thickness of five aluminum beams were measured and recorded
with a vernier caliper.
• The first aluminum beam was placed into the pin joint of the rectangular frame and the
digital force measuring device was zeroed out.

2. Load Increment and Buckling:

• While observing the beam and looking for signs of buckling or lateral deformation, the
knob of the threaded mechanism was tightened gradually hence increasing the
compressive load.
• The load was continuously increased until a critical point was reached, where further
tightening of the knob did not have any significant change in the load.

3. Data Collection and Analysis:

• The buckling load was read and recorded at the critical point.
• The procedure was repeated for the remaining beams, starting with the shortest and
progressing to the longest ensuring consistent experimental conditions and measurement
techniques at all times.
THEORY

We will use the Euler buckling formula for a pinned strut:

𝑃𝑒 = 𝜋 2 EI/𝐿2
Where:
𝑃𝑒 = Euler buckling load (N)
E = Young's modulus (𝑁𝑚−1)
I = Second moment of area (𝑚4 )
L = Length of strut (m).

Strut member thickness width Length (mm) Buckling load 1

(𝑚−2 )
(N) 𝑙2
1 2 18.5 320 -72 9.765
2 2 18.5 370 -62 7.304
3 2 18.5 420 -41 5.669
4 2 18.5 470 -28 4.527
5 2 18.5 520 -12 3.698

12

10

0
-80 -70 -60 -50 -40 -30 -20 -10 0
Buckling load (N)
PRECAUTIONS
• Safety Gear: Personal protective equipment (PPE) such as safety goggles, gloves, and lab
coats were worn to protect against potential hazards.
• Stable Setup: The rectangular structural frame was securely fixed on a stable surface to
prevent any movement or instability during the experiment.
• Safe Load Range: The safe load range for the beams was not exceeded as this could have led
to premature failure or structural damage.
• Gradual Load Increase: The load was applied gradually and continuously while monitoring
the applied load to detect signs of buckling.

RECOMMENDATIONS
• Different materials: The use of different materials should be considered based on their
intended application. Conducting similar experiments with other materials (e.g., steel, wood,
composite materials) can help compare their buckling behavior and guide material selection
in different engineering projects.
• Finite Element Analysis (FEA): Experiment data should be complemented with numerical
simulations using FEA to model and predict buckling behavior in more complex structures.
FEA can help optimize designs before physical prototypes are built.
• Further Research: Different additional factors that may influence buckling behavior such as
different cross-sectional shapes, temperature variations, and the effects of various load
applications should be explored.
• Long-Term Behavior: The long-term behavior of beams under sustained compressive loads
should be investigated as some materials may exhibit creep or time-dependent effects that
can influence buckling behavior.

CONCLUSION
The experiment aimed to investigate the buckling behavior of five aluminum beams with varying
lengths under compressive forces. Through careful testing and analysis, the critical buckling
loads for each beam were determined. The experiment provided valuable insights into the
relationship between beam length and buckling strength, offering important implications for
engineering and structural design.
The results demonstrated that as the length of the aluminum beam increased, the critical buckling
load decreased. This relationship indicated that longer beams were more susceptible to buckling
under compressive forces. Understanding this correlation is crucial for engineers and designers
to ensure the stability and safety of structures in real-world applications.
Overall, this experiment contributes to the broader understanding of buckling behavior in
engineering and structural design. By incorporating the knowledge gained from this experiment,
engineers can build more reliable and resilient structures to ensure the safety and well-being of
communities worldwide.

REFERENCES
Books used
"Roark's Formulas for Stress and Strain" by Warren C. Young and Richard G. Budynas
"Buckling of Bars, Plates, and Shells" by Don O. Brush and Bo O. Almroth

Online Resources
MIT OpenCourseWare