CONTENT

Report Summary 2

Laboratory Objective 3

Summary of Procedure 4-5

Deviations 7

Results 7

Graphs 8

Discussion 9

Conclusion 9
REPORT SUMMARY

The buckling experiment is carried out at aluminium oak and pine column.

A column is a slender structural member that carries compressive loads.

The column were of known length, average diameter and modulus of elasticity.

This test shows how much lod each column can bear before buckling.

The critical buckling load (Euler Buckling Load) Pcr for an ideal pin-ended
column is given by:-

=

Where

E = the modulus of elasticity of the material

I = the least moment of inertia of the cross-section

L = the length of the column from pin-end to pin-end

= constant pi (= 3.1416)

Critical Buckling Stress for Columns

(Validity Limit of the Eulers Theory)

The critical buckling stress Fcr is the average stress over the cross-sectional
area A of a column at the critical load Pcr.

Pcr =

The moment of inertia relates radius of gyration which is the measure of

slenderness of cross section of the column
 ^4
I=
4

The area of the column is given by

A= 2r*r+ l(2r)

All the three types of column has different results before they buckle up.

The values were noted down during the experiment and is mentioned in the
lab report. The data is the most important part of this laboratory experiment.

LABORTORY OBJECTIVE

To determine the critical buckling loads of axially loaded slender

columns(wooden dowels) of varying diameter length and boundary or end
conditions.(i.e. pin-pin, pin-fixed,fixed-fixed)

To find the correlation between experimental values of the critical buckling of

axially loaded columns and the values predicted by Eulers buckling formula.
SUMMARY OF PROCEDURE

The number of columns tested will be sizes from 10 to 20 using 10,

12,15,18 Only one end condition, two different end conditions [see Figure
2, cases (b), (c),] would be tested.

The most critical factor in this lab is to ensure that the columns are loaded in a
perfectly horizontal and secured position. Any angular rotation (especially in
the case when both ends are fixed) will result in erroneous results. Care should
also be taken in adjusting the collar on the post for each column. It is
important to stop the loading of the column as soon as the critical load has
been reached to avoid permanent damage to the column.
For each column tested:

1. Measure and record the dimensions of the column on the worksheet.

2. Calculate the expected buckling load for the end conditions at hand. The
steps for doing this are outlined on the worksheet.

3. Orient the satin chrome blocks on the loading frame for the end conditions
chosen. V-notches should face away from the mounting surface (towards the
column) for pinned ends and towards the mounting surface (away from the
column) for fixed ends.

4. With the end conditions selected, adjust the capstan nut

5. The loading beam should then be adjusted to the desired column as follows:

The stop for the loading beam when the column start to change mode of
bucking.

After the column is in position, the dial indicator is installed in the brackets
and fastened to the center post. The indicator bracket should be moved up or
down the post so that the indicator point contacts the column at its midpoint.
The indicator may then be zeroed by loosening the black plastic knob that
holds the indicator on the frame and then moving it gently toward the column
until the needle on the small scale is zero. The large scale is zeroed by rotating
the outside bezel until the large needle is on zero. One revolution on the large
scale is 0.100 in. (2.54 mm) and is equal to 1 on the small scale. Each
graduation of the large scale is 0.001 in. (0.025 mm). Extreme care should be
exercised in handling the dial indicator.

After each increment of load, record the load and deflection on the data
sheet. Suitable increments for the loading of the column may be obtained by
rotating the hand wheel.
 DEVIATIONS

Columns of aluminium pine and ok were not accurate and exact

columns, but quite good enough to get results in the desired range
obtained by Eulers buckling theory.

RESULTS
MATERIAL LENGHT DIA Pcr Fcr E values K 1(in.4)
(in) (in) (lb) (psi) (psi) values

ALUMINIUM 36.065 0.368 70.5609 1.6718 10000000 0.5 0.0009299

0.367
0.377

Avg 0.3706
diameter
OAK 36.0625 0.509 39.35 0.6799 1595415.115 0.5 0.00325
0.506

0.507

Avg 0.5073
Diameter
PINE 35.875 0.504 28.789 0.5156 1305339.64 0.5 0.002876

0.49

0.482

Avg 0.492
Diameter
GRAPHS
The critical buckling stress Fcr depends inversely on the square of the
slenderness ratio. The higher the slenderness ratio, the lower is the critical
stress that will cause buckling, and vice versa. The slenderness ratio (Le /r) is an
important way of thinking about columns, since it is the single measurable
parameter on which the buckling of a column depends.

80

70

60

50

40 Pcr(lb)
Fcr(psi)
30

20

10

0
1 2 3 4

1.8

1.6

1.4

1.2

1
Fcr
0.8
avg diameter
0.6

0.4

0.2

0
1 2 3
DISCUSSION
1. What are possible sources of error?
Columns used in this experiment are no accurate and exactly pin-pin, but
suitable enough to get results in desired theorectical range.
2. Were your errors within reasonable limits (< 10%)?
YES

3 Calculations may be wrong or slightly deviated because of round up.

CONCLUSION
To improve the understanding of buckling phenomena due to axial loading a
simple experimental setup has been designed where a supposed fixed end
column has been laterally loaded and then axially compressed. Theoretical
analysis of this case suggested a simple method of determination of the
buckling load.

However, the initial experimental results clearly indicated that the end
supports were not fixed and possessed some elastic components This was
verified by modifying the initial setup and increasing its stiffness. A theoretical
analysis of the same column having one fixed support and one elastic support
for both displacement and rotation has been conducted and a simple graphical
method has been proposed to determine the elastic parameters and the
critical load.

Not only in this experiment a valuable tool for illustrating the concept of a
critical load in a fairly inexpensive and reproducible way, it also provides the
students with a feeling for the actual and conditions and influence on the
buckling phenomena.