A study on-

“ Buckling & it’s Theories ”

Buckling
When a slender member is subjected to an axial compressive load, it may fail by
a condition called buckling.

“---” : Original Shape Buckled Steel Column Buckled R.C.C. Column

“―” : Buckled Shape
 Building
columns
that transfer
loads to the
ground

Buckling
Truss
members in
Examples of Machine
compression Structural elements
Members

Submarine
hulls
subjected
to water
pressure
Equilibrium States

1. Stable Equilibrium

1. Stable

2. Unstable Equilibrium

2. Unstable

3. Neutral Equilibrium
3. Neutral
Buckling Mechanism
1. Stable Equilibrium:
If the load P is sufficiently small, when the force F is removed, the column
will go back to its original straight condition.

Gravity is the restoring force. Elasticity of the column is

the restoring force.
Buckling Mechanism (Contd..)
2. Unstable Equilibrium:
When the column carries a load which is more than critical load, 𝑃cr
(Increased value of the load P) and a lateral force F is applied and
removed, the column will bend considerably and it grows into excessively
large deflection.

Even small disturbance Elastic restoring force is insufficient to

makes it unstable. prevent excessive deflection.
Buckling Mechanism (Contd..)
3. Neutral Equilibrium:
When the column carries critical load 𝑃cr (Increased value of the load P)
and a lateral force F is applied and removed, the column will remain in the
slightly deflected position.

Deflection amount depends Elastic restoring force is sufficient to

on magnitude of force. prevent excessive deflection.
Euler’s Long Column Theory
The direct stress 𝑓0 due to direct load was very small compared to
bending stress 𝑓b due to buckling in long column.

So, Euler derived an equation, for the buckling load of long column
based on bending stress (neglecting the effect of direct stress).
Assumptions in Euler’s Theory
1. The column is initially straight.

2. The cross section is uniform throughout.

3. The ends of the column are frictionless.

4. The material is homogeneous and isotropic.

5. The self weight of the column is neglected.

6. The line of thrust coincides exactly with the axis of the column.

7. The shortening of column due to axial compression is negligible.

8. The column failure occurs due to buckling only.

Cases of Long Columns based on End conditions

1. Both ends pinned.

2. Both ends fixed.

3. One end fixed and the other end pinned.

4. One end fixed and the other end free.

Sign Convention for Bending Moments

Convexity towards Concavity towards

centre line, 𝑀x is +ve centre line, 𝑀x is -ve
End conditions of Column
There are three important end conditions based on support types-

(i) Pinned end: End is fixed in position only; Deflection,𝑦=0.

(ii) Fixed end: End is fixed in position and direction; Deflection 𝑦=0 and
slope, 𝑑𝑦/𝑑𝑥=0.

(iii) Free end: Neither fixed in position nor in direction.

Case 1: Both ends hinged
 Consider a column AB of length 𝑙 with its both
ends free to rotate around frictionless pins and
carrying a critical load P.
 As a result of critical loading, let the column
deflect into a buckled shape 𝐴𝑋1𝐵 as shown in
the figure.
 Prior to this critical load, the column is straight.
 Smallest force at which buckled shape is possible
is known as critical force.
Case 1: Both ends hinged (Contd..)
Case 1: Both ends hinged (Contd..)
Case 1: Both ends hinged (Contd..)
Case 1: Both ends hinged (Contd..)
Case 2: Both ends fixed
Case 2: Both ends fixed (Contd..)
Case 2: Both ends fixed (Contd..)
Case 2: Both ends fixed (Contd..)
Case 2: Both ends fixed (Contd..)
Case 3: One end fixed and the other hinged
Case 3: One end fixed and the other hinged (Contd..)
Case 3: One end fixed and the other hinged (Contd..)
Case 3: One end fixed and the other hinged (Contd..)
Case 4: One end fixed and the other free
Case 4: One end fixed and the other free (Contd..)
Case 4: One end fixed and the other free (Contd..)
Case 4: One end fixed and the other free (Contd..)
Effective Lengths of Column Summary Table

Relation b/w Equivalent

S. No. End Conditions Buckling Load (P)
Length(𝑙 e) & Actual Length(𝑙)

𝜋 2 𝐸𝐼
1 Both ends hinged 𝑙e = 𝑙 𝑃= 2
𝑙

4𝜋 2 𝐸𝐼
2 Both ends fixed 𝑙 e = 𝑙/2 𝑃=
𝑙2

One end fixed

𝜋 2 𝐸𝐼
3 and the other 𝑙 e = 2𝑙 𝑃=
free 4𝑙 2

One end fixed

2𝜋 2 𝐸𝐼
4 and the other 𝑙 e = 𝑙/√2 𝑃=
hinged 𝑙2
Limitations of Euler’s formula
 It is applicable to an ideal strut only and in practice, there is always crookedness

in the column and the load applied may not be exactly co-axial.

 It takes no account of direct stress. It means that it may give a buckling load for

struts, far in excess of load which they can be withstand under direct

compression.
Rankine’s (Rankine Gordon) formula
It is an empirical formula used for the calculation of ultimate load both for short
and long columns. It gives the ultimate load that column can bear before failure.
If column is short, calculated load will be known as crushing load. And, if column is
long, calculated load will be buckling or critical (or crippling) load.

σ𝑐 ×𝐴
Crippling or Critical load, P =
𝐿𝑒 2
1+𝛼
𝑟
Where,
σ𝑐 = Critical (crippling) stress ;
𝐴 = C/s area of the column ;
σ
𝛼 = Rankine’s constant = 𝜋2𝑐𝐸 ;

𝐿𝑒
= Slenderness Ratio ;
𝑟
𝐿𝑒 = Effective Length of the column ;
𝑟 = Radius of gyration.
Rankine’s Constant of different materials

σ𝑐
S. No. Material σ𝑐 in MPa 𝛼=
𝜋2 𝐸

1
1 Mild Steel 320
7500

1
2 Cast Iron 550
1600

1
3 Wrought Iron 250
9000

1
4 Timber 40
750