MIT - 16.

20 Fall, 2002

Unit 17
The Beam-Column
Readings:

Theory of Elastic Stability, Timoshenko (and Gere),

McGraw-Hill, 1961 (2nd edition), Ch. 1

Paul A. Lagace, Ph.D.

Professor of Aeronautics & Astronautics

and Engineering Systems

Paul A. Lagace 2001

MIT - 16.20 Fall, 2002

Thus far have considered separately:

beam -- takes bending loads
column -- takes axial loads
Now combine the two and look at the beam-column
(Note: same geometrical restrictions as on others:
l >> cross- sectional dimensions)
Consider a beam with an axial load (general case):
Figure 17.1 Representation of beam-column

(could also have py for

bending in y direction)

Consider 2-D case:

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MIT - 16.20 Fall, 2002

Cut out a deformed element dx:

Figure 17.2 Loads and moment acting on deformed infinitesimal
element of beam-column

Assume small angles such that:

dw dw
sin
dx dx
dw
cos 1
dx
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Unit 17 - 3
MIT - 16.20 Fall, 2002

Sum forces and moments:

+
Fx = 0 :

dF
F+F+ dx + px dx
dx
dw dS dw d 2w
S + S + dx + 2
dx = 0
dx dx dx dx

This leaves: (dx)2

dF dS dw d 2w
dx + px dx + + S 2 dx + H.O.T. = 0
dx dx dx dx

dF d d w
dx
= px S
dx dx
(17-1)

new term

Paul A. Lagace 2001

Unit 17 - 4
MIT - 16.20 Fall, 2002

F
z = 0 +:

dw dF d w d 2w
F + F + dx + 2
dx
dx dx dx dx
dS
+ S S + dx + pz dx = 0
dx
This results in:
dS d dw
= pz + F (17-2)
dx dx dx
new term
M y = 0 +:
dM dx
M + M + dx + pz dx
dx 2
dw d x dS
px dx S + dx dx = 0
dx 2 dx
(using the previous equations) this results in:
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MIT - 16.20
Fall, 2002

dM
= S (17-3)
dx
Note: same as before (for Simple Beam Theory)

Recall from beam bending theory:

d 2
w
M = EI 2
(17-4)

dx
Do some manipulating - place (17-4) into (17-3):
d d 2
w

S = EI 2 (17-5)

dx dx
and place this into (17-2) to get:

d2 d 2
w
d d w
EI 2 F = pz (17-6)

dx 2 dx dx d x
Basic differential equation for Beam-Column --
(Bending equation -- fourth order differential equation)
Paul A. Lagace 2001

Unit 17 - 6
MIT - 16.20 Fall, 2002

--> To find the axial force F(x), place (17-5) into (17-1):
dF d d w d d 2w
= px EI 2
dx dx d x d x dx
For w small, this latter part is a second order term in w and
is therefore negligible
Thus:
dF
= px (17-7)
dx
Note: Solve this equation first to find F(x)
distribution and use that in equation (17-6)
Examples of solution to Equation (17-7)
End compression Po
Figure 17.3 Simply-supported column under end compression

px = 0

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MIT - 16.20 Fall, 2002

dF
= 0 F = C1
dx
find C1 via boundary condition @x = 0, F = -Po = C1
F = -Po

Beam under its own weight

Figure 17.4 Representation of end-fixed column under its own weight

px = -mg
dF
= + mg F = mgx + C1
dx
boundary condition: @ x = l, F = 0

So: mgl + C1 = 0 C1 = -mgl

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F = -mg (l - x)

Helicopter blade
Figure 17.5 Representation of helicopter blade

(radial force due to rotation)

similar to previous case

Once have F(x), proceed to solve equation (17-6). Since it is fourth

order, need four boundary conditions (two at each end of the beam-
column)
--> same possible boundary conditions as previously enumerated
Notes:
When EI --> 0, equation (17-6) reduces to:
d d w
F = pz
dx d x
this is a string (second order only need two boundary conditions
-- one at each end)
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MIT - 16.20
Fall, 2002

(also note that a string cannot be clamped

since it cannot carry a moment)

If F = 0, get:

d 2 d 2
w
EI 2 = pz
dx 2 dx
and for EI constant:

d 4
w
EI 4

= pz (basic bending equation)

dx

For pz = 0, EI constant, and F constant (= -P), get:

d 4w d 2
w
EI 4 + P 2
= 0 (basic buckling equation)

dx dx

Buckling of Beam-Column
Consider the overall geometry (assume beam-column initially straight)
Paul A. Lagace 2001
Unit 17 - 10
MIT - 16.20 Fall, 2002

Figure 17.6 Representation of general configuration of beam-column

Cut the beam-column:

Figure 17.7 Representation of beam-column with cut to determine
stress resultants

M = 0 : primary + P w = 0

due to transverse loading secondary moment (due to

deflection)
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gives:
d 2w
= EI 2 = primary P w
dx
for transverse loading:

d2 d 2w d dw
EI 2 F = pz
dx 2 dx dx dx
integrate twice with F = P = C1

d 2w
EI 2 + P w = M primary
dx
same equation as by doing equilibrium

Solve this by:

getting homogenous solution for w
getting particular solution for Mprimary
applying boundary condition

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MIT - 16.20 Fall, 2002

Figure 17.8 Representation of moment(s) versus applied load for

beam-column

large moment!

Examples
Old airplanes w/struts

Paul A. Lagace 2001

Unit 17 - 13

MIT - 16.20 Fall, 2002

Space structure undergoing rotation

inertial
loading

Final note: The beam-column is an important concept and the moments

in a beam-column can be much worse/higher than beam
theory or a perfect column alone

Paul A. Lagace 2001 Unit 17 - 14