Column buckling worksheet with answers

Free printable Column buckling worksheet: 6 problems from easy to exam level, with an answer key. Print it or save it as a PDF.

New worksheet Practise online with hints

For teachers: free to print, copy and use in class. Every new worksheet has new values and its own answer key. A link to ExamProblems on your course page is appreciated.

Name: ____________________ Date: ____________

1.Easy

A column of length L made of aluminium is pinned at both ends. Using Euler’s formula, find its critical buckling load P_cr.

L = 4 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)d = 80 mm

P_cr = kN

2.Easy

A column of length L made of steel is pinned at both ends. Using Euler’s formula, find its critical buckling load P_cr.

L = 4 mE = 200 GPa (steel)b × h = 40 × 100 mm

P_cr = kN

3.Medium

A column of length L made of aluminium is fixed at the base and pinned at the top. Using Euler’s formula, find its critical buckling load P_cr.

L = 2.5 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)b × h = 20 × 40 mm

P_cr = kN

4.Medium

A column of length L made of aluminium is fixed at both ends. Using Euler’s formula, find its critical buckling load P_cr.

L = 5 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)b × h = 20 × 40 mm

P_cr = kN

5.Hard

A column of length L made of aluminium is fixed at both ends. Find its slenderness and the critical buckling stress σ_cr from Euler’s formula.

L = 4 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)d = 50 mm

σ_cr = MPa

6.Hard

A solid round column of length L made of aluminium is fixed at the base and pinned at the top. It must carry 30 kN with a factor of safety of 2 against buckling. Find the smallest diameter d.

P = 30 kNn = 2L = 4 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)

d = mm

Answer key

1. P_cr = 86.82 kN
2. P_cr = 65.8 kN
3. P_cr = 6.016 kN
4. P_cr = 2.948 kN
5. σ_cr = 26.99 MPa
6. d = 61.03 mm

Full step-by-step solutions: practise this topic on examproblems.com.