Columns — Worked Examples
These examples emphasize weak-axis properties and the limits of the ideal Euler model. A calculated Euler load is not automatically a code design strength.
1. Weak-Axis Radius of Gyration
A solid rectangular column section is . Determine the radius of gyration about its weak centroidal axis.
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0 of 2 Steps Completed2. Slenderness Ratio of a Pinned Column
The section from Example 1 is used in a pin-ended column. Determine weak-axis slenderness.
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0 of 2 Steps Completed3. Euler Load for the Pinned Rectangular Column
For the column in Examples 1–2, take . Determine the weak-axis Euler critical load.
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0 of 2 Steps Completed4. Effect of a Fixed-Free End Condition
Use the same section, material, and physical length as Example 3, but make the column fixed at one end and free at the other. Compare its ideal Euler load with the pin-ended case.
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0 of 2 Steps Completed5. Why a Very Large Euler Load Needs an Applicability Check
Use the same column section and physical length but assume ideal fixed-fixed ends with . Euler theory would predict four times the pin-ended load. If the material yield stress is , compare the corresponding squash load with the Euler prediction.
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0 of 2 Steps Completed6. Hollow Square Column with Fixed-Pinned Ends
A hollow square tube has outer dimension , wall thickness , , , and ideal fixed-pinned ends with . Determine the Euler load.
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0 of 2 Steps Completed7. Circular Fixed-Free Column
A solid circular steel column has , , , and ideal fixed-free ends. Determine its Euler critical load.
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0 of 2 Steps Completed8. Identifying the Governing Buckling Axis
For a rectangle, compare the two centroidal second moments of area and identify the governing ideal Euler axis.
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An ideal pin-ended slender column has Euler load . If its physical length doubles while , , and remain unchanged, determine the new critical load.
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0 of 2 Steps Completed10. Euler Critical Stress from Slenderness
An ideal elastic column has and slenderness . Compute Euler critical stress.
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0 of 2 Steps Completed11. Local versus Global Buckling Classification
A thin-walled box column develops a localized wrinkle in one wall while the member centerline remains nearly straight. Is the observed mode global Euler buckling?