Euler's Column Formula

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Euler's Column Formula

Buckling of columns

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Columns fail by buckling when their critical load is reached. Long columns can be analysed with the Euler
column formula

F = n π2 E I / L 2                             (1) 
where
F = allowable load (lb, N)
n = factor accounting for the end conditions

E = modulus of elastisity (lb/in2, Pa (N/m 2))

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L = length of column (in, m)
Got it!
I = Moment of inertia (in4, m 4)

Factor Counting for End Conditions

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Euler's Column Formula

column pivoted in both ends : n = 1

both ends fixed : n = 4
one end fixed, the other end rounded : n = 2
one end fixed, one end free : n = 0.25

Note! 
Equation (1) is sometimes expressed with a k factor accounting for the end conditions:

F = π2 E I / (k L) 2                             (1b)
where

k = (1 / n) 1/2    factor accounting for the end conditions

n 1 4 2 0.25
k 1 0.5 0.7 2

Example - A Column Fixed in both Ends

An column with length 5 m is fixed in both ends. The column is made of an Aluminium I-beam 7 x 4 1/2 x 5.80
with a Moment of Inertia iy = 5.78 in4. The Modulus of Elasticity of aluminum is 69 GPa (69 109 Pa) and the
factor for a column fixed in both ends is 4.

The Moment of Inertia can be converted to metric units like

Iy = 5.78 in 4 (0.0254 m/in) 4

    = 241 10 -8  m 4

The Euler buckling load can then be calculated as

F = 4 π2 (241 10 -8  m 4) (69 10 9 Pa) / (5 m) 2 

 =  262594 N
 = 263 kN

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Euler's Column Formula

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Related Topics
Beams and Columns - Deflection and stress, moment of inertia, section modulus and technical
information of beams and columns

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Area or Second Moment of Area for typical cross section profiles
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Mild Steel - Square Bars - Typical weight of mild steel square bars
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Stiffness - Stiffness is resistance to deflection
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