LECTURE 5

MEC 3301

SOLID MECHANICS/MECHANICS OF MATERIALS

By
Abdul Azeez A. Aliyu Garo, Ph.D., MNSE

Presented to: Level 300 Mechanical/Agric/Automobile Eng. Students

Bayero University Kano, Nigeria

Presentation Date: 27.09.2024 1
 STABILITY OF STRUCTURES
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• In the design of columns, cross-sectional area is selected such that

- allowable stress is not exceeded
P
σ = ≤ σ all
A
- deformation falls within specifications
PL
δ = ≤ δ spec
AE

• After these design calculations, may discover that the column is

unstable under loading and that it suddenly becomes sharply curved
or buckles.
 STABILITY OF STRUCTURES
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• Consider model with two rods and torsional spring. After a

small perturbation,
K (2∆θ ) = restoring moment
L L
P sin ∆θ = P ∆θ = destabilizing moment
2 2

• Column is stable (tends to

return to aligned orientation) if
L
P ∆θ < K (2∆θ )
2
4K
P < Pcr =
L
 STABILITY OF STRUCTURES
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• Assume that a load P is applied. After a perturbation, the

system settles to a new equilibrium configuration at a finite
deflection angle.
L
P sin θ = K (2θ )
2
PL P θ
= =
4 K Pcr sin θ

• Noting that sinθ < θ , the assumed configuration is only

possible if P > Pcr.
 STABILITY OF STRUCTURES
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 EULER’S FORMULAR FOR PIN-PIN COLUMNS
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 EULER’S FORMULAR FOR PIN-PIN COLUMNS
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• Consider an axially loaded beam. After a small

perturbation, the system reaches an equilibrium
configuration such that
2
𝑀𝑀 = −𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 d y M P
= = − y
dx 2 EI EI
𝑑𝑑 2 𝑦𝑦 2
We know, 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 2 = 𝑀𝑀 = −𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 d y P
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 + y = 0
dx 2 EI
𝑃𝑃 𝑑𝑑 2 𝑦𝑦
Assume 𝑝𝑝2 = ,⇒ 2 + 𝑝𝑝2 𝑦𝑦 = 0 −− −(𝐴𝐴)
𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
(A) Linear second-order differential equation with constant
coefficients
General solution: 𝑦𝑦 = 𝐶𝐶1 sin 𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝 + 𝐶𝐶2 cos(𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝)
Boundary conditions: [𝑥𝑥 = 0, 𝑦𝑦 = 0; 𝑥𝑥 = 𝐿𝐿, 𝑦𝑦 = 0]
 EULER’S FORMULAR FOR PIN-PIN COLUMNS
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𝐶𝐶2 = 0, 𝐶𝐶1 sin 𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝 = 0 → 𝐶𝐶1 = 0 leads to trimal solution.

Hence, ignored other solution

𝐶𝐶2 = 0, 𝐶𝐶1 sin 𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝 = 0 ⇒ 𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝 = 𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛, 𝑛𝑛 = 1,2,3 … . .

2 2
2
𝑛𝑛 𝜋𝜋 2
𝑃𝑃
𝑝𝑝 = 2 , 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 𝑝𝑝 =
𝐿𝐿 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸
𝑛𝑛2 𝜋𝜋 2 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸
⇒ 𝑃𝑃 = n = 1,2,3……
𝐿𝐿2
𝑛𝑛𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋
Also, 𝑦𝑦 = 𝐶𝐶1 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠
𝐿𝐿
Practically only n = 1is possible
𝜋𝜋 2 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸
⇒ 𝑃𝑃 = 𝑃𝑃𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 = 2
𝐿𝐿
 EULER’S FORMULAR FOR PIN ENDED-BEAMS
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• The value of stress corresponding to the critical

load, π 2 EI
P > Pcr =
L2
P Pcr
σ = > σ cr =
A A

σ cr =
2
π E Ar( ) Radius of gyration of the
2

L2 A column, 𝑟𝑟 =
𝐼𝐼
𝐴𝐴
π 2E
= = critical s tress
(L r )2
L
= slenderness ratio
r
• Preceding analysis is limited to centric
loadings.
 EXTENSION OF EULER’S FORMULA
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• A column with one fixed and one free end, will behave
as the upper-half of a pin-connected column.

• The critical loading is calculated from Euler’s formula,

2
π EI
Pcr = 2
Le

π 2E
σ cr = 2
(Le r )
Le = 2 L = equivalent length
 EXTENSION OF EULER’S FORMULA
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𝜋𝜋 2 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 2
𝜋𝜋 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 2.05𝜋𝜋 2 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 4𝜋𝜋 2 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸
𝑃𝑃𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 = 𝑃𝑃𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 = 2 𝑃𝑃𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 = 𝑃𝑃𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 =
4𝐿𝐿2 𝐿𝐿 𝐿𝐿2 𝐿𝐿2
 EULER’S FORMULA
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Example 1 An aluminum column of length L and rectangular cross-section has a

fixed end at B and supports a centric load at A. Two smooth and
rounded fixed plates restrain end A from moving in one of the vertical
planes of symmetry but allow it to move in the other plane.

a)Determine the ratio a/b of the two sides of the cross-section

corresponding to the most efficient design against buckling.
b)Design the most efficient cross-section for the column.
L = 20 in.
E = 10.1 x 106 psi
P = 5 kips
FS = 2.5
 EULER’S FORMULA
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SOLUTION:
The most efficient design occurs when the resistance to buckling is equal in
both planes of symmetry. This occurs when the slenderness ratios are equal.
• Buckling in xy Plane: • Most efficient design:
1 ba 3 2 Le, z Le, y
I a a =
rz2 = z = 12 = rz = rz ry
A ab 12 12 • Buckling in xz Plane:
Le, z 0.7 L 0.7 L 2L
= 1 3 2 =
rz a 12 2 I y 12 ab b b a 12 b / 12
ry = = = ry =
A ab 12 12 a 0.7
=
Le, y 2L b 2
=
ry b / 12 a
= 0.35
b
 EULER’S FORMULA
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• Design:
Le 2L 2(20 in ) 138.6
= = =
ry b 12 b 12 b
Pcr = (FS )P = (2.5)(5 kips ) = 12.5 kips
Pcr 12500 lbs
σ cr = = b = 1.620 in.
A (0.35b )b
a = 0.35b = 0.567 in.
σ cr =
π 2E
=
(
π 2 10.1 × 106 psi )
(Le r )2 (138.6 b )2
2
(
12500 lbs π 10.1 × 10 psi
=
6
)
(0.35b )b (138.6 b )2
 ECCENTRIC LOADING; THE SECANT FORMULA
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Example 2
Column AB carries a centric load P of magnitude 15
kips. Cables BC and BD are taut and prevent motion
of point B in the xz plane. Using Euler’s formula and
a factor of safety of 2.2, and neglecting the tension in
the cables, determine the maximum allowable length
6
L. Use E = 29 x 10 psi.
 ECCENTRIC LOADING; THE SECANT FORMULA
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• Previous section covered the analysis of ideal columns in which

the axial loads acted through the centroids of the cross sections.
• Under these conditions, the columns remain straight until the
critical loads are reached, after which bending may occur.
• Now assume that a column is compressed by loads P that are
applied with a small eccentricity e measured from the axis of the
column.
• Each eccentric axial load is equivalent to a centric load P and a
couple of moment M = Pe.
 ECCENTRIC LOADING; THE SECANT FORMULA
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• The maximum deflection d produced by the eccentric loads
occurs at the midpoint of the column
2
d y − Py − Pe
2
=
dx EI
 π P   2
π EI
ymax = e sec  − 1 Pcr =
2 P  2
  cr   Le
• Maximum stress

P  ( ymax + e )c 
σ max = 1 + 2 
A r 
P  ec  1 P Le 
= 1 + 2 sec 
A r  2 EA r 
 ECCENTRIC LOADING; THE SECANT FORMULA
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 ECCENTRIC LOADING; THE SECANT FORMULA
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Example 2 A brass bar AB projecting from the side of a large

machine is loaded at end B by a force P = 7 kN acting
with an eccentricity e = 11mm. The bar has a rectangular
cross section with height h = 30mm and width b =
15mm. What is the longest permissible length Lmax of
the bar if the deflection at the end is limited to 3 mm?
(For the brass, use E = 110GPa.)
Solution
 ECCENTRIC LOADING; THE SECANT FORMULA
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N/B: If a longer bar is used, the deflection

will exceed the allowable value of 3 mm.

Use radians and solve this equation to get L =

0.243m. Thus, the maximum permissible length
of the bar is
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Exercises

1. A 2-m-long pin-ended column with a square cross-section is to be

made of wood (Fig. shown beside). Assuming E 5 13 GPa, sall 5 12 MPa, and
using a factor of safety of 2.5 to calculate Euler’s critical load for buckling,
determine the size of the cross-section if the column is to safely support (a) a
100-kN load, (b) a 200-kN load. (ANS: a) 10 Mpa (acceptable cross-section)
b) 14.62 Mpa (not acceptable))

2. Two rigid bars AC and BC are connected by a

pin at C as shown. Knowing that the torsional
spring at B is of constant K, determine the critical
load Pcr for the system. (ANS: K/L)
 COLUMNS
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Exercises
3. A cantilever aluminum column has a square tube cross section with an
outer dimension of 150 mm. The column has a length L = 4 m and is
designed to support an axial load of 45 kN. Find the minimum required
thickness of the section if the factor of safety is 2.5 with respect to buckling.
Assume
that the modulus of elasticity is 72 GPa and the proportional
limit is 480 MPa. (ANS: tmin = 4.98 mm)

4. An aluminum pipe column (E = 10,400 ksi) with a length L = 10.0 ft has

inside and outside diameters d1 = 5.0 in. and d2 = 6.0 in., respectively (see
figure). The column is supported only at the ends and may buckle in any
direction. Calculate the critical load for the following end conditions:
(a) pinned-pinned, (b) fixed-free, (c) fixed-pinned, and (d) fixed-fixed.
(ANS: (a) 235 kiPs (b) 58.7 kiPs (c) 480 kiPs (d) 939 kiPs)
 COLUMNS
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Exercises
5. column is made from half of a W360 3 216 rolled-steel shape,
with the geometric properties as shown. Using a factor of safety
equal to 2.6, determine the allowable centric load if the effective
length of the column is 6.5 m. Use E 5 200 GPa. (ANS: 467 kN)

6. An axial load P is applied to the 32-mm-square aluminum bar BC as

shown. When P 5 24 kN, the horizontal deflection at end C is 4 mm. Using E
5 70 GPa, determine (a) the eccentricity e of the load, (b) the maximum
stress in the bar. (ANS: a) 4.32 mm b) 44.4 mm)
 COLUMNS
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Exercises
7. A 3.5-m-long steel tube having the cross section and
properties shown is used as a column. For the grade of steel
used 𝜎𝜎𝑦𝑦 = 250 MPa and E = 200 GPa. Knowing that a factor
of safety of 2.6 with respect to permanent deformation is
required, determine the allowable load P when the
eccentricity e is (a) 15 mm, (b) 7.5 mm. (Hint: Since the
factor of safety must be applied to the load P, not to the
stress, use Fig. 10.24 to determine PY). (ANS: a) 189.0 kN
b) 229 kN)
 BAYERO UNIVERSITY KANO
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Kano, Nigeria

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Thank You