Structures 1

Laboratory Report 1

Student Particulars

Title of Experiment

: Buckling Test

Student Name

: Sri Kartikeayan S/O Raja Gopal

Student ID

: SCM014634

Subject

/ Subject code : Structures 1 / ECS 3213

Lecturer

: Ir. Pan

Date Submitted

: 22th August 2014

Objective
The main purpose of this experiment is to determine the critical buckling loads for columns with
supports, to examine the Euler theory of buckling and plot a graph of force against deflection
and to investigate the influence of different material parameters. A buckling test device, a
specimen made of flat steel bar and some measurement apparatus were used in this
experiment. The buckling force and deflection of the beam has been observed and recorded.
Graphs of force versus deflection were plotted after getting the result. The theoretical value is
calculated and compared to the experimental values.
Components:

Apparatus:
1. Load spindle
2. Load nut
3. Load cross bar
4. Guide columns
5. Measuring gauge
6. Force gauge
7. Basic frame
8. Attachment socket
9. Force measuring device
10. Clamping screws

Introduction/Theory
Buckling is a mode of failure generally resulting from structural instability due to compressive
action on the structural member or element involved. If a subject is subjected to longitudinal
forces, it can fail in two ways, it can be plasticized and flattened if its admissible compressive
strain is exceeded. It is possible that it will suddenly shift to one side and buckle before attaining
the admissible compressive strain. This effect is called buckling. When load is constantly being
applied on a member, such as column, it will ultimately become large enough to cause the
member to become unstable. Further load will cause significant and somewhat unpredictable
deformations, possibly leading to complete loss of load-carrying capacity. The member is said to
have buckled, to have deformed. As soon as a subject begins to buckle, it will become deformed

Fcrit ,

to the point of total destruction. This is typical unstable behavior. The critical limit load,

above which buckling can occur, is dependent on both slenderness of a subject, example
influence of length and diameter, and the material used. To define the slenderness, the
slenderness ratio,

, will be introduced:

lk
i

, where

l k = characteristic length of bar takes both the actual length of the bar and the

mounting conditions into consideration.

If a bar clamping the ends of the odds causes rigidly. The buckling length decisive for
slenderness is shorter than the actual length of the bar. Altogether a differentiation in the
slenderness ratio is between four types of mountings, each having a different buckling length.
The influence of diameter in the slenderness ratio is expressed by the internal radius,

i .

i=

Iy
A
I y = minimum geometrical moment of inertia and A = cross-sectional area

, where

The modulus of elasticity, E, of the respective material is taken to consideration in order to

calculate the critical force.

Fcrit =

EA
2

or

Fcrit =

EIy

, where

= effective length, represent the distance between the zero-moment points and

I y = least moment of inertia

To determine the rod has failed due to exceeding the admissible compressive strain or by
buckling, the normal compressive strain in the rod, which is part of the critical load, must be
calculated.

k =

Fk
2 E
= 2
A

If the normal compressive strain is lower than the admissible compressive strain, the rod will fail
due buckling. If the admission compressive strain is used as the normal compressive strain, the
critical slenderness ratio,

crit = 2

crit

at which buckling occurs can be calculated.

E
p

The buckling force can be determined according to the Euler formula:

Fcrit = 2

EI y
I2

And moment of inertia,

I y , can be calculated:

b h3
I y=
12
, where b = base length of cross-sectional area and h = height length of cross-sectional area

Experimental method and materials

1. The thrust piece with V notch is inserted into the attachment socket and fastened with
clamping screw.
2. The long thrust piece with V notch is inserted into the guide bush of the load cross-bar.
3. The specimen with edges is inserted into the V notch.
4. The load cross-bar is clamped on the guide column and it is approximately 5mm space
for the top thrust piece to move.
5. The specimen is aligned so that its buckling direction points are in the direction of the
lateral guide columns. The edges are perpendicular to the load of the cross-bar.
6. The specimen is pre-tightened with low and non-measurable force.
7. The measuring gauge is aligned to the middle of the rod specimen using the support
clamps. The measuring gauge is set at the right angle to the direction of buckling.
8. The measuring gauge is pre-tightened to 10mm deflection with the adjustable support.
9. The specimen is slowly subjected to load using the load nut.
10. The deflection is read from the measuring gauge. The deflection is read and recorded
every 0.25mm up to 1mm.
11. The deflection and force is recorded every 0.25mm after the deflection is above 1mm.
12. The test is concluded after the force does not change despite and increasing load.
13. The tension is removed from the specimen slowly.
14. The result is tabulated.

Results and Analysis

For Euler case 1 (S5):
Buckling
Force , F (N)

Gauge
Reading

Deflecti
on,

100
150
200
250
300

0
23
29
36
36

(mm)
0.000
0.230
0.290
0.360
0.360

-Table 1: Buckling force versus deflection

Buckling force versus deflection

350
300
250
200
Buckling Force, F (N)

150
100
50
0
0.0000.0500.1000.1500.2000.2500.3000.3500.400
Deflection, (mm)

-Graph 1: Graph of buckling force versus deflection

Through the experiment, critical limit load for the steel bar is analyzed as the value of deflection
sudden increases when there is almost no increase in loading. Therefore the critical limit load,

Fcrit =300 N

I y=

b h3
12
3

3 3

(20.00 10 )(4.0 10 )
12

10

1.0667 10

, where b = base length of cross-section of the bar and h = height length of cross-section of the
bar

Fcrit =

EI y
lk 2

(210 GPa)(1.0667 1010 m 4 )

(0.7 m)2

451.2 N
, where lk = unsupported length of the column, whose the end pinned, E = modulus of elasticity,
most of the metal modulus of elasticity is around 200GPa. Assume 210GPa for this steel bar.

Experimental
value of
critical limit
load, F crit
300N

Theoretical
value of
critical limit
load , F crit
451.2N

-table 2

Percent Error = (

Experimental critical limit loadTheoretical critical limit load

100
Theoretical critical limit load

(300 N 451.2 N )
100
451.2 N

33.51

For Euler case 2 (S6):

Buckling
Force , F (N)
100
150
200
250
300

Gauge
Reading

Deflecti
on,
(mm)
0.000
0.230
0.290
0.360
0.360

0
23
29
36
36

-Table 3: Buckling force versus deflection

Buckling force versus deflection

350
300
250
200
Buckling Force, F (N)

150
100
50
0
0.000 0.050 0.100 0.150 0.200 0.250 0.300 0.350 0.400
Deflection, (mm)

-Graph 2: Graph of buckling force versus deflection

Through the experiment, critical limit load for the steel bar is analyzed as the value of deflection
sudden increases when there is almost no increase in loading. Therefore the critical limit load,

Fcrit =300 N

I y=

b h3
12

(20.00 103 )(4.0 103 )3

12
1.0667 1010 m4
, where b = base length of cross-section of the bar and h = height length of cross-section of the
bar

L=0.7 l

0.434 m
Fcrit = 2

EI y
l2

(210 GPa)(1.0667 1010 m 4 )

(0.434 m)2
2

1173.8 N
, where l = unsupported length of the column, whose the end pinned, E = modulus of elasticity,
most of the metal modulus of elasticity is around 200GPa. Assume 210GPa for this steel bar.

Experimental
value of
critical limit
load, F crit
300N
-table 4

Theoretical
value of
critical limit
load , F crit
1173.8N

Percent Error = (

Experimental critical limit loadTheoretical critical limit load

100
Theoretical critical limit load

(300 N 1173.8 N )
100
1173.8 N

74.44

Reference

1. Buckling Concept, A Beginner's Guide to the Steel Construction Manual,

http://www.bgstructuralengineering.com/BGSCM/BGSCM006/BGSCM00603.ht
m
2. Buckling, Wikipedia, retrieved from:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buckling

Appendix