COLUMN BUCKLING

EM 327: MECHANICS OF MATERIALS LABORATORY

EXPERIMENT: COLUMN BUCKLING MATERIAL TO BE TESTED:

Balsa Wood
OBJECTIVES: Steel
Brass
1) Determine the effects of different beam
cross-sections on column buckling. EQUIPMENT TO BE USED:
2) Predict the critical buckling load for Column Buckling Test Fixture
known materials.

BACKGROUND:

Column buckling occurs in long slender a b

beams when subjected to critical buckling
loads. The Euler buckling equation is valid M
in the elastic region.
π 2 EI
Pcr =
L' 2
The equation is derived based on the
deflection of the specimen. The value of L' Figure 2
depends upon the end conditions. For a pin-
pin condition, L' is simply the length of the
specimen. As seen in Figure 1a the
PROCEDURE:
deflection of a pin-pin beam is symmetric
about the center of the beam. Looking at
SPECIMEN PREPERATIONS:
the deflection of a fixed-fixed beam in
1) Prepare a neat and detailed data sheet
Figure 1b, L' is seen to be 1/2L.
containing all the measurements and
calculations.

2) Measure the cross-sectional dimensions

for each specimen. Be sure to measure
the dimensions at several locations
L along the length of the specimens.

3) Calculate the moment of inertia for each

specimen.

4) Derive an equation to determine the

Figure 1a applied load based on the position of the
weights on the column buckling test
fixture.

5) Predict Pcr for the steel and brass

1/2L L specimens.

Figure 1b

86
 COLUMN BUCKLING
EM 327: MECHANICS OF MATERIALS LABORATORY

TESTING PROCEDURE:

BALSA WOOD

1) Place the 1/8in x 1/8in. specimen into

the test fixture.
2) Apply weight to the test fixture until the
specimen buckles.
3) Repeat the procedure for all other
available cross-sections.

STEEL

1) Place the specimen into the test fixture.

2) Apply the predicted Pcr load.
3) Alter the load if necessary to produce
buckling.

BRASS

1) Place the specimen into the test fixture.

2) Apply the predicted Pcr load.
3) Alter the load if necessary to produce
buckling

REPORT:

1) Prepare a table to compare how the

changing the cross-section of a
specimen (changing the moment of
inertia) effects Pcr. Use the 1/8in x 1/8in
balsa wood specimen as a reference and
show the % difference in I and Pcr for all
other balsa wood specimens.

2) Prepare a table to compare the Predicted

Pcr with the actual Pcr for both the steel
and the brass specimens. Discuss
sources of error.

QUESTIONS:

1) Knowing your results of the balsa wood

experiment, how would you approach
designing a cross-section for a column?
What are some factors which may
restrict your design?

87