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.

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1.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 = 2 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 40 mm

P_cr = kN

2.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 = 2.5 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)b × h = 25 × 60 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 = 4 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)d = 50 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)d = 25 mm

P_cr = kN

5.Hard

A column of length L made of aluminium is fixed at the base and pinned at the top. 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 steel is fixed at the base and free at the top. It must carry 115 kN with a factor of safety of 2 against buckling. Find the smallest diameter d.

P = 115 kNn = 2L = 2.5 mE = 200 GPa (steel)

d = mm

Answer key

1. P_cr = 62.01 kN
2. P_cr = 8.636 kN
3. P_cr = 27.04 kN
4. P_cr = 2.12 kN
5. σ_cr = 13.77 MPa
6. d = 87.77 mm

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