Approximate Derivation of Critical Buckling Load

Abstract

This paper proposes an approximate derivation for the critical buckling load of a column, based on the application of a uniformly loaded beam's midspan moment and deflection to the buckled column's rotational equilibrium. The curvature of a pin-ended member, when it buckles under axial load, is similar to the curvature assumed by the same member when it deflects under a uniformly distributed load applied transversely along its entire length. Euler's famous equation for critical buckling load is based, of course, on the former assumption, in which the deflected column assumes the shape of a sine curve. However, dividing a uniformly loaded beam's midspan moment by its deflection provides a conservative result for the critical buckling load, within 3% of Euler's value, that can be derived solely on the basis of these commonly used beam equations.