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 aluminium is pinned at both ends. Using Euler’s formula, find its critical buckling load P_cr.

L = 2 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)b × h = 50 × 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)d = 80 mm

P_cr = kN

3.Medium

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

L = 2 mE = 200 GPa (steel)b × h = 50 × 100 mm

P_cr = kN

4.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 = 1.5 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)b × h = 20 × 60 mm

P_cr = kN

5.Hard

A solid round column of length L made of aluminium is fixed at both ends. It must carry 20 kN with a factor of safety of 3 against buckling. Find the smallest diameter d.

P = 20 kNn = 3L = 3 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)

d = mm

6.Hard

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

L = 4 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)d = 40 mm

σ_cr = MPa

Answer key

1. P_cr = 143.9 kN
2. P_cr = 248.1 kN
3. P_cr = 128.5 kN
4. P_cr = 25.07 kN
5. d = 44.67 mm
6. σ_cr = 4.318 MPa

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