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26.3:

Euler's Formula to Columns with Other End Conditions

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Mechanical Engineering
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JoVE Core Mechanical Engineering
Euler's Formula to Columns with Other End Conditions

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Euler's formula for a pin-ended column expresses critical loading using the modulus of elasticity, moment of inertia of the cross-section, and length of the column.

The corresponding critical stress is expressed by dividing Euler's formula by the cross-sectional area. Here, the length of the column over the radius of gyration of the cross-section is defined as the slenderness ratio of the column. 

Euler's formula can be extended to columns having different end connections by calculating the effective buckling length that measures the load-bearing capacity of the column.

The effective length of the column is expressed as the product of the length of the column to the empirical constant k.

For columns with one end fixed and the other end free, the value of k is 2. On the other hand, for the columns with both ends fixed, k is 0.5.

For the columns with one end fixed and the other end pinned, k is 0.7.

Utilizing these values of k, Euler's formula can be extended to columns with different end connections.

26.3:

Euler's Formula to Columns with Other End Conditions

Euler's formula is very important in the field of structural engineering, providing a foundation for understanding the critical loading conditions of pin-ended columns. This formula links the modulus of elasticity, the moment of inertia of the cross-section, and the column's length, offering a precise calculation of the critical load at which a column is prone to buckling.

Equation 1

To further dissect the implications of Euler's critical load, one can explore the concept of critical stress. This is calculated by dividing the critical load obtained from Euler's formula by the cross-sectional area of the column. This both simplifies the understanding of stress distribution and introduces the concept of the slenderness ratio. The slenderness ratio is expressed as Le/r, where Le is the effective buckling length, described below, and r is the ratio of the column's length to the radius of the gyration of its cross-section.

Equation 2

Euler's insights extend beyond pin-ended columns and discuss different structural configurations through the concept of effective buckling length Le. This notion adapts Euler's formula to columns with varying end conditions by introducing an empirical constant, k, which adjusts the effective length of the column based on its end connections by the formula Le = Lk. For example, a column with one end fixed and the other free has a k value of 2, reflecting its decreased stability. Conversely, a column with both ends fixed has a k value of 0.5, reflecting its increased resistance to buckling. The value of k further varies with other end conditions, such as 0.7 for columns with one end fixed and the other pinned, allowing Euler's formula to be universally applied.

This adaptability of Euler's formula enables engineers to predict the critical loading conditions for a wide spectrum of structural scenarios, allowing them to design safer, more resilient structures.