TABLE OF CONTENTS

NO. CONTENS. PAGES.

4
1. INTRODUCTION

4
2. OBJECTIVE

4-5
3. THEORETICAL BACKGROUND

6-7
4. SUMMARY OF PROCEDURES / METHOD

8-11
5. ANALYSIS AND INTERPETATION OF DATA

12
6. DISCUSSIONS

13
7. CONCLUSIONS

13
8. REFERENCES

14-15
9. APPENDICES

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 LAB REPORT SELF-ASSESMENT

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BY TEAM
AND
COMMENTS
LEADER BY
LECTURER
1. Introduction of results
2. Right data collected form
experiment
3. Value of data relate to objectives
4. Analysis of data with caption
ANALYSIS AND  Average 3 data
1 INTERPETATION
 Pattern or trend
OF DATA
 Graph
 Tables
 Equations
 Sample calculation
5. SI unit
1. Introduction of discussion
2. Explain direct relationship of
variables
3. Explain the results means
4. Comparison of results to standard
DISCUSSION OF value (BS/ASTM/current practice)
2 RESULT
5. State the value of error to standard
value
6. Implication of results
7. Error of experiment
8. Precaution
1. Explain finding based on objective
2. Answer objective of the experiment
3 CONCLUSION 3. Percentage of data error
4. Future recommendation

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1.0. INTRODUCTION.
Traditional laboratory methods (designated as Level 0) won't be able to give students the
opportunity to improve autonomous learning activities and foster creativity and innovation.
The three components—the issue, the ways and means, and the answers—are offered to the
students in full or in part as part of the conventional approach, which is wholly prescriptive.
But it must still be done as part of the entire laboratory course, especially for first- and
second-year students.
The crucial load number known as the Euler's buckling load causes the strut to abruptly bend
to one side and buckle before it reaches the permissible compressive strain. The final
compressive strength may be greater than the actual compressive stress at the time of
collapse.
On this laboratory activity, students should know how to analyse and determine the buckling
load of struts with different length and type of support and also to compare the experiments
results that have been gained with the theoretical values from the Euler buckling formula.
In this laboratory activity students will be exposed to the apparatus and appropriate methods
to find out the critical load on struts.

2.0. OBJECTIVE.
The objectives of the test are:
1. To determine the buckling load of struts with different length and types of supports.
2. To compare the experiments results with theoretical values from Euler buckling
formula

3.0. BASIC CONCEPT

3.1. THEORETICAL BACKGROUND.

Buckling is defined as the abrupt failure of a part under axial compression, when the actual
axial load at the time of failure is lower than the maximum axial force that the material can
sustain. Therefore, buckling is instability brought on by a member's reduced ability to support
a load.
In 1757, mathematician Leonhard Euler derived a formula that gives the maximum axial load
or buckling load that an ideal long (slender) column can carry without buckling.

Pe =Л2EI/L2

3
Where;
Pe = Euler buckling loaf (N)
E = Young’s modulus (N/m1)
I = Second moment of area (m4)
L = Length of strut (m)

4.0. SUMMARY OF PROCEDURES/METHOD.

4.1. APPARATUS.

Figure 4.0 : Buckling of Struts Set up and Schematic

4.2. PROCEDURES.

4.2.a. Buckling Load of a pinned-end Strut.

1. Fit the bottom chuck to the machine and remove the top chuck (to give 2 pinned
ends). Select the shortest strut number 1 and measure the cross section using the
vernier provided and calculate the second moment of area I, for the strut.

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 2. Adjust the position of the sliding crosshead to accept the strut using the thumbnuts
to lock off the slider. Ensure that there is the maximum amount of travel available
on the handwheel thread to compress the strut. Finally tighten the locking screws.
3. Carefully back off the handwheel so that the strut is resting in the notch but not
transmitting any load; re-zero the force meter using the front panel control.
4. Carefully start to load the strut. If the strut begins to buckle to the left, “flick” the
strut to the right and vice versa (this reduces any errors associated with the
straightness of the strut).
5. Turn the handwheel until there is no further increase in load (the load may peak
and then drop as it settles into the notches).
6. Record the final load in Table 3.1 under ‘buckling load’. Repeat with strut
number 2, 3, 4 and 5 adjusting the crosshead as required to fit the strut. More
care should be taken with the shorter struts, as the loads are quite low. Try
loading each strut several times until a consistent result for each strut is
achieved.
7. Examine the Euler buckling equation and select an appropriate to establish a
linear relationship between the buckling load and the length of the strut. (Hint:
remember π, E and I are all constant). Plot a graph to prove the relationship is
linear. Compare your experimental value to those calculated from Euler formula
by entering a theoretical line onto the graph. Does the Euler formula predict the
buckling load?

4.2.b. The Effect of End Conditions on the Buckling Load (Pinned- Fixed Condition).

1. Follow the same basic procedures as Experiment 3.2.1, but this time remove the
bottom chuck and clamp the specimen using the cap head screw and plate to
make a pinned-fixed end condition.
2. Record your results in Table 3.2 and calculate the values of 1/L 2 for the strut.
Note that the test length of the struts is shorter than Experiment 1a due to
allowance made for clamping the specimen.

4.2.c. The Effect of End Conditions on the Buckling Load (Fixed-Fixed Condition)

1. Follow the same basic procedures as Experiment 3.2.1 and 3.2.2. Now fit the top
chuck with two cap head screws and clamp both ends, again this will reduce the
experimental length of specimen and you will have to calculate new values for
1/L2. Take care when loading the shorter struts near to the buckling load.

2. Record your results in Table 3.3 and calculate the values of 1/L2 for the strut.

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5.0. ANALYSIS AND INTERPETATION OF DATA.
All the data that have been obtained from the tests have been recorded into the table given
below,
Deflection: 10 mm

Table 4.0: Results of Test (Procedure 4.2.1)

BUCKLING LOAD BUCKLING LOAD
STRUT LENGTH EXPERIMENT THEORETICAL
NUMBER (mm) (N) (N)

1 420 -24
2 370 -62
3 320 -85

Table 4.1: Results of Test (Procedure 4.2.2)

BUCKLING LOAD BUCKLING LOAD 1/L2
STRUT LENGTH EXPERIMENT THEORETICAL (m2)
NUMBER (mm) (N) (N)
1 420 -111
2 370 -125
3 320 -191

5.1. CALCULATIONS.

5.2. GRAPH AND INTEPRATATION OF DATA.

5.3. DATA ANALYSIS

6.0. DISCUSSION.

7.0. CONLUSIONS.

8.0. REFERENCES.

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9.0. APPENDICES
9.1. Data Tables.
9.2. Sample Calculations.
9.3. Anything Else.