ST 1336

STABILITY of STRUCTURES
 UNIT I
BUCKLING OF COLUMNS 9

• States of equilibrium - Classification of buckling

problems - concept of equilibrium, energy,
imperfection and vibration approaches to stability
analysis - Eigen value problem. Governing equation
for columns - Analysis for various boundary
conditions - using Equilibrium, Energy methods.
Approximate methods - Rayleigh Ritz, Galerkin’s
approach - Numerical Techniques - Finite
difference method - Effect of shear on buckling.
 STRUCTURAL STABILITY
• Structural stability is the ability of the
structure to remain in position and support
the given load, even if forced slightly out of
its position by a disturbance.

The stability of a structure essentially

means the STABILITY OF ITS
EQUILIBRIUM Configuration or state.
STATES OF EQUILIBRIUM
 STABILITY - Equilibrium
• Structure is in stable equilibrium when small
perturbations do not cause large movements like a
mechanism. Structure vibrates about it equilibrium
position.
• Structure is in unstable equilibrium when small
perturbations produce large movements – and the
structure never returns to its original equilibrium position.
• Structure is in neutral equilibrium when we cant decide
whether it is in stable or unstable equilibrium. Small
perturbation cause large movements – but the structure
can be brought back to its original equilibrium position
with no work.
 VIDEOS
• 1
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BUCKLING OF COLUMNS
 COLUMNS
• A column is a vertical structural member intended to
transfer a compressive load.

• For example, a column might transfer loads from a ceiling,

floor or roof slab or from a beam, to a floor or foundations.

https://civiljungle.com/difference-between-short-column-and-lon
g-column/#What_Is_Column
 What Is Column?

• A compression member, i.e., column, is an important

element of every reinforced concrete structure. These are
used to transfer a load of superstructure to the foundation
safely.
• Mainly columns, struts, and pedestals are used as
compression members in buildings, bridges, supporting
systems of tanks, factories, and many more such structures.
• A column is defined as a vertical compression member who
is mainly subjected to the effective length and axial loads of
which exceeds three times its least lateral dimension.
• The compression member whose effective length is less
than three times its least lateral dimension is called Pedestal
 Classification of Columns

A columns are classified based on different criteria

such as:

• Shapes of Cross-Section
• Material of Construction
• Types of Loading
• Slenderness Ratio
•  Types of Lateral Reinforcement
 Shapes of Cross-Section Material of Construction
• Square 
• Rectangular • Timber Column
• Masonry Column
• Circular • R.C.C Column
• Pentagonal • Steel Column
• Hexagonal • Composite Column
• Octagonal
• T-Shape or L-Shape etc.

Types of Loading Slenderness Ratio

• Axially Loaded Column • Long Column

• Eccentrically Loaded • Short Column
Column • Intermediate Column
• What Is Short Column? 
• When this ratio of effective length to the least
lateral dimensions of this column is less
than 12, then it is known a short column.

Short Column
A short column is the one whose ratio of effective
length to its least lateral dimension is less than or
equal to 12. Then it is termed as a short column.
 lef / b ≤ 12
lef = effective length
b = least lateral dimension of column
 • What Is Long Column?
• A long or slender column is the one whose
ratio of effective length to its least lateral
dimension is not less than 12. Then it is
termed as a long column.
•  lef / b ≤ 12
• lef = effective length
 • Long Column

• When this ratio of effective length to the least radius

of gyration is greater than 45, then it is called a long
column.
• A long column is subjected to a bending moment in
addition to direct compressive stress. The load-
carrying capacity of a long column is less than a short
column.
• The load-carrying capacity of a long column depends
upon slenderness ratio (slenderness ratio increases
then the capacity of the column decreases)
Sr.
No Long Column Short Column
.
Long column is considered to be long if the ratio of Short column is considered to be short if the
1 effective length of column to its least lateral ratio of effective length to its least lateral
dimension is greater than 12. dimension is less than or equal to 12.

Long column is weaker than a short column and The short column is stronger than a long
2
generally, it is not preferred. column and it is highly preferable.

 Long column, whose lateral dimension is very Short column, whose lateral dimension is very
3 small when compared to its length (or height), is large when compared to its length (or height),
called as long column. is called a short column.

4 It is generally fails by buckling. It generally fails by crushing.

5 The slenderness ratio is greater than 45.
As the height of column increases the load carrying
6
capacity is less.
7 Long Column Radius of gyration is less.
8 Load carrying capacity is less.
The short column is subjected to compressive
9 Long column is subjected to buckling stress
10 Long and slender columns buckle easily.
The ratio of effective length of a long column to its
11
least radius of gyration is greater than 40.
The slenderness ratio is less than 45.
As the height of the column decreases the
load-carrying capacity is more.
Short column radius of gyration is more.
Load-carrying capacity is more.
stress.
The buckling tendency is very low.
The ratio of the effective length of a short
column to its least radius of gyration is less
 Failure Mode of Column

• A column can fail in one of three conditions.

• Compression failure of concrete or steel
reinforcement.
• Buckling.
• Combination of compression and buckling
failure.
• Compression failure is likely to occur with
columns that are short and stocky.
• Buckling is probable with a column which is
long and slender.
 Short and Long Column

• Short columns have a large lateral dimension

as compared to its height.
• Long columns have a small lateral dimension
as compared to its height.
• The short column is stronger than a long
column and it is highly preferable.
• Long column is weaker than a short column
and generally, it is not preferred
 Short Column Effect

• Stiffness of a column means resistance to

deformation – the larger is the stiffness, larger
is the force required to deform it.
• If a short column is not adequately designed
for such a large force, it can suffer significant
damage during an earthquake.
• This behaviour is called Short Column Effect.
• Strut and Column
• Both column and Strut is a comprehensive
member but main difference between two is
column is comprehensive member of frame
structure and strut is comprehensive member
of truss structure.
• Column and Struts
• A structural member subjected to axial
compressive force is called a strut. When a
strut is vertical it is known as column. The
cross-sectional dimensions of a column are
large.
 CLIMPSES ABOUT COLUMN
• Long Column:
• Long column a column so slender that it will fail under
longitudinal load by bending rather than by crushing and
typically having a length of 20 to 30 times the diameter.
• Short Column:
• A short column is the one whose ratio of effective length to its
least lateral dimension is less than or equal to 12. Then it is
termed as a short column.
• Slender Column:
• Slender columns can be defined as columns with small cross-
sections compared to their lengths. Generally, slender columns
have lower strength when compared to short columns, for a
constant cross-section, increasing the length causes a reduction
in the strength. The behaviour of slender column.
 What Is the Formula for Slenderness Ratio?

• The slenderness ratio is calculated by dividing

the column length by its radius of gyration.
 What Is Buckling of Column?

• Buckling of Columns is a form of deformation

as a result of axial- compression forces.
• This leads to bending of the column, due to
the instability of the column.
• This mode of failure is quick, and hence
dangerous.
• This will occur at stress level less than the
ultimate stress of the column.
 How Do You Find a Column Buckling?

• The Euler column formula predicts the critical

buckling load of a long column with pinned
ends.
• The Euler formula is 
P cr = π 2 ⋅ E ⋅ I / L2 

where E is the modulus of elasticity in

(force/length2), I is the moment of inertia
(length), L is the length of the column.
 How Do You Stop Column Buckling?

• To prevent buckling the easiest way is to

reduce the length in some form or to change
the shape of the cross section.
• The length reduction can be done by the use
of a brace (Winter, 1958).
• The brace can either be considered to be
elastic or ideal.
 What Type of Column Is the Strongest?

• The cylindrical shaped column was by far the

strongest column and supported the most
weight.
• The cylindrical shaped column is the strongest
is because of corners.
• The flat sides of the shapes do not support
structural load.
• Therefore, it is the corners of the shapes that
give the columns their strength.
 BUCKLING OF COLUMNS
• The slender columns are subjected a type of behaviour
known as Buckling.
• When the load on the member is relatively small, it will
result in AXIAL SHORTENING of a column and once a
certain critical load is reached a member suddenly
BOWS out sideway.
• This bending will give rise to a large deformation which
in turn will cause the member to collapse.
• The load at which buckling occurs is the main design
criteria for compression members.
• The buckling load thus appears to be a limiting load
under which axial compression in an unbend
configuration is possible.
EQUILIBRIUM
 Methods of Equilibrium
• Figure1-Stable equilibrium
• Figure2-Unstable equilibrium
• Figure3-Neutral equilibrium

• The ball is in equilibrium at any point along

line ABC.
• Region A and B – Stable
• Region B and C – Unstable
• At point B – transition between the two
regions- The ball is in neutral equilibrium.
 COLUMN – BEHAVIOUR
• The behaviour of the column is similar to that
of the ball.
• The straight configuration is stable at smaller
loads but it is unstable at larger loads.
• The state of neutral equilibrium exist at the
transition from stable to unstable equilibrium
in the column then the load at which the
straight configuration does not change that is
at which neutral equilibrium is possible – It is
usually referred to CRITICAL LOAD.
 CRITICAL LOAD
• To determine the critical load we should find
the load under which the member can be in
equilibrium- Both in straight and bent
configuration.
• The technique that uses this criteria for
evaluating THE CRITICAL LOAD is called as
method of NEUTRAL EQUILIBRIUM.
 Euler's critical load
Euler's critical load is the compressive load at which
a slender column will suddenly bend or buckle.

It is given by the formula:

 EULER’s
• This formula was derived in 1757 by the Swiss mathematician 
Leonhard Euler.
• The column will remain straight for loads less than the critical load.
• The critical load is the greatest load that will not cause lateral
deflection (buckling).
• For loads greater than the critical load, the column will deflect
laterally.
• The critical load puts the column in a state of unstable equilibrium.
• A load beyond the critical load causes the column to fail by buckling.
• As the load is increased beyond the critical load the lateral
deflections increase, until it may fail in other modes such as yielding
of the material. Loading of columns beyond the critical load are not
addressed in this article.
• Around 1900, J. B. Johnson showed that at low slenderness ratios an 
alternative formula should be used.
 Assumptions of the model

• The material of the column is homogeneous and isotropic.

• The compressive load on the column is axial only.
• The column is free from initial stress.
• The weight of the column is neglected.
• The column is initially straight (no eccentricity of the axial load).
• Pin joints are friction-less (no moment constraint) and fixed ends are
rigid (no rotation deflection).
• The cross-section of the column is uniform throughout its length.
• The direct stress is very small as compared to the bending stress (the
material is compressed only within the elastic range of strains).
• The length of the column is very large as compared to the cross-
sectional dimensions of the column.
• The column fails only by buckling. 
 MAIN ASSUMPTIONS
• Constant cross section
• Material is homogenous
• Ends of the members are simply supported – lower end is
attached to an immovable hinge and the upper end is
supported in such a way it can rotate freely and move
vertically but not horizontally.
• Member is perfectly straight
• Load applied along centroidal axis
• Material obey’s Hooke’s law