International Journal of Advanced Engineering Research and Science (IJAERS) [Vol-4, Issue-3, Mar- 2017]

https://dx.doi.org/10.22161/ijaers.4.3.45 ISSN: 2349-6495(P) | 2456-1908(O)

Flexural - Torsional Buckling Analysis of Thin

Walled Columns Using the Fourier series
Method
Onah, H. N.1, Ike, C.C.2*, Nwoji, C.U.3
1,3
Dept of Civil Engineering, University of Nigeria, Nsukka
2
Dept of Civil Engineering, Enugu State University of Science & Technology, Enugu

Abstract In this work, the governing differential

equations of elastic column buckling represented by a I. INTRODUCTION/LITERATURE REVIEW
system of three coupled differential equations in the three Eulers [1] work on column flexural buckling presented
unknown displacement functions, v(x), w(x) and (x) are the first analytical method of determining the buckling
solved using the method of Fourier series. The column strengths of slender columns. St Venant [2] later worked
was pinned at both ends x = 0, x = l. The unknown on uniform torsion and presented the first reliable work
displacements were assumed to be a Fourier sine series of on the twisting response of structures to torsion. Flexural
infinite terms, which was found to satisfy apriori the torsional buckling was studied by Michell [3] and also by
pinned conditions at the ends and substituted into the Prandtl [4] who considered the lateral buckling of beams
governing equations. The governing equations were found of narrow rectangular cross sections.
to reduce to a system of algebraic eigenvalue Prandtl and Michells work were extended by
eigenvector problem. The buckling equation was found to Timoshenko [5] to include the effects of warping torsion
be a cubic polynomial for the general asymmetric in T section beams. The works of Wagner [6], Vlasov[7],
sectioned column. The buckling modes were found as Timoshenko [8] and Timoshenko [9] led to the
flexural torsional buckling modes. For columns with development of a general theory of flexural torsional
monosymmetric sections, it was found that the buckling buckling. Other researchers who have studied flexural
mode could be flexural or flexural torsional depending torsional buckling of structures include Nwakali[10],
on the root of the cubic polynomial buckling equation Timoshenko and Gere [11], Alsayed[12],Trahair[13],
which is the smallest. For columns with bisymmetric Zlatko[14] and Al-Sheikh [15].
sections, it was found that the buckling modes are
uncoupled and bisymmetric columns could fail by pure II. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
flexural buckling about the axes of symmetry or pore The generalized elastic column buckling problem
torsional buckling. The findings are in excellent formulated in terms of the displaced configuration is
agreement with Timoshenkos solutions. represented by the following set of three linear
KeywordsMonosymmetric columns, bisymmetric differential equations obtained when the non linear terms
columns, flexural torsional buckling mode, algebraic- are neglected [16][13].
eigen vector problem.
d 4v d 2v d 2w
2
E ( I yy I zz I yz ) I yy N x I yz N x I yy M ly I yz M lz
dx 4 dx2 dx2
d 2 d
N x (ez I yy e y I yz 2
( I yyVz I yzVy ) q y I yy q z I yz (2.1)
dx dx
d 4w d 2w d 2v
2
E ( I yy I zz I yz ) I zz N y I yz N x I zz Mlz I yz Mly
dx 4 dx2 dx2
d 2 d
N x (e y I zz ez I yz ) 2
( I zzVy I yzVz ) q z I zz q y I yz (2.2)
dx dx
d 4 I N H W d 2
ECw 4
GJ E x C z Mlz C y Mly w w 2
dx A Cw dx

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International Journal of Advanced Engineering Research and Science (IJAERS) [Vol-4, Issue-3, Mar- 2017]
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d 2v d 2w dv dw
( Mly ez N x ) ( Mlz e y N x ) Vz Vy
dx2x dx2x dx dx
H wVw d
C zVy C yVz t( x) (2.3)
Cw dx
where Mlz , Mly moments caused by transverse loads only.

I E I yy I zz (e2y ez2 ) A polar moment of inertia about the shear centre.

z( y z dA
2
Hy z2 )dA I yy 2

A A

y( y y dA
2
Hz z2 )dA I yy 2

A A

2(w0 w )( y yz dA
2 2
Hw z )dA I yz
A A
I zz H y I yz H z
Cy 2
2ez
I yy I zz I yz
I yy H z I yz H y
Cz 2
2e y
I yy I zz I yz
J = St Venant torsional stiffness of the section
E = Youngs modulus of elasticity
G = shear modulus
Iyy, Izz = moments of inertia
Cw = warping constant
Iyz = product of inertia
ey, ez = coordinates of the shear center
Vy, Vz = shear forces
qy, qz = transverse loads
Nx = axial load
v(x),w(x) are transverse displacements
x = twist rotational displacement
x = longitudinal axial coordinate, yz is the plane of the cross section
A = area of the cross section of the column.
The governing equilibrium equations for the generalized column buckling problem is represented by the system of three
simultaneous differential equations in the three unknown displacements v(x), w(x) and (x). For columns with prismatic
cross-sections, the elasticity properties (GJ and E) as well as the inertial and geometrical properties are constant; but the load
coefficients (Mly, Mlz, Vy, Vz, Ww, Vw) are variables depending on the axial longitudinal coordinate (x). The system of
governing differential equations thus have variable coefficients, rendering them difficult to solve mathematically.
However, simplifications of the system of governing differential equations can be obtained by using special characteristics of
different types of column problems. A simplification of the governing equilibrium equations can be obtained if the yz
coordinates are principal coordinates. Then Iyz = 0, and the governing differential equations become [16][13]
d 4v d 2v d 2 d
EI zz 4
Nx 2
( Mly N x ez ) 2
Vzy qy (2.4)
dx dx dx dx
d 4w d 2w d 2 d
EI yy 4
Nx 2
( Mlz N x e y ) 2
Vy qz (2.5)
dx dx dx dx
d 4w I N H W d 2 d 2v
ECw 4
GJ E x C z Mlz C y Mly w w 2 ( Mly ez N x ) 2
dx A Cw dx dx

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International Journal of Advanced Engineering Research and Science (IJAERS) [Vol-4, Issue-3, Mar- 2017]
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d 2w dv dw H V d
( Mlz e y N x ) 2
Vz Vy C zVy C yVz w w t( x) (2.6)
dx dx dx Cw dx
If the member is free of transverse loads qy, qz become zero; and the transverse moments are constant, then the shear forces
Vy, Vz are also zero. For member (columns) subjected only to axial compressive load Nx acting through the centroid of the
section, the moments due to the transverse loads vanish, the applied torque vanishes; and if the load is applied such that the
bimoment vanishes, the system of differential equations become [15][16]
d 4v d 2v d 2
EI zz Nx N x ez 0 (2.7)
dx 4 dx2 dx2
d 4w d 2w d 2
EI yy Nx N x ey 0 (2.8)
dx 4 dx2 dx2
d 4 I E N x d 2 d 2v d 2w
EC w GJ N x e z N x e y 0 (2.9)
dx 4 A dx2 dx2 dx2
The system of differential Equations (2.7), (2.8) and (2.9) represent the governing equilibrium equations for a particular case
of the generalized elastic column buckling problem presented by Equations (2.1), (2.2) and (2.3) when I yz 0,
qy qz 0, Vy z 0, Mly Mlz 0, Ww 0 .

III. APPLICATION OF THE FOURIER SERIES Suitable Fourier series representations of the three
METHOD unknown displacement functions that satisfy apriori the
We seek to apply the Fourier series method to solve the above boundary conditions are given by
system of differential Equations (2.7), (2.8) and (2.9)
mx
representing the governing-equilibrium equations for the v( x ) = vm sin l
elastic column buckling problem for the case when the m 1
ends at x = 0, x = lare on pinned supports.
mx
For pinned ends at x = 0, x = l, the relevant boundary w( x ) = wm sin l
(3.2)
conditions are m 1
v ( x 0) 0 v( x 0) 0
mx
w ( x 0) 0 w( x 0) 0
( x ) = m sin l
m 1
( x 0 ) 0 ( x 0) 0 (3.1) where vm, wm and m are infinite number of unknown
v( x l ) 0 v( x l ) 0 coefficients of the Fourier sine series representations of
w( x l ) w( x l ) 0 the unknown displacement functions v(x), w(x) and (x)
that we seek to determine. If Equation (3.2) represent
( x l ) ( x l ) 0 solutions of the governing Equations (2.7), (2.8) and
(2.9), then

d4 mx d2 mx d2 mx
EI zz

dx 4 m 1
v m sin
l
+ N x
dx2 m 1

v m sin
l
+ N x e z
dx2 m 1
m sin 0
l
(3.3)

d4 mx d2 mx d2 mx
EI yy
dx 4 m 1
wm sin
l
+ N x
dx2 m 1
wmsin
l
N e
x y
dx2 m 1
m sin 0
l
(3.4)

d4 mx IE N x d2 mx
ECw
dx 4 m 1
m sin
l GJ
A dx2 m 1
m sin
l

d2 mx d2 mx
+ N x ez 2
dx m 1

vm sin N x ey
l

dx2 m 1
wm sin
l
(3.5)

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International Journal of Advanced Engineering Research and Science (IJAERS) [Vol-4, Issue-3, Mar- 2017]
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4 2 2
m mx m mx m mx
EI zz
l
vm sin
l
Nx
l

vm sin
l
N x ez
l
vm sin
l =0 (3.6)
m 1 m 1 m 1
4 2 2
m mx m mx m mx
EI yy
l
wm sin
l
Nx
l
wm sin

l
+ N xey
l
m sin
l
=0 (3.7)
m 1 m 1 m 1
4 2
m mx I N m mx
ECw m sin + GJ E x m sin
m 1
l l A m 1 l l
2
m mx m mx
N x ez
l
vm sin
l
+ N x ey
l wm sin
l
=0 (3.8)
m 1 m 1
Simplifying,

m
2 mx mx



zz
EI
l


N v
x m sin
l
N e
x z m sin
l
=0

(3.9)
m 1

m
2 mx mx



yy
EI
l


N w
x m sin
l
+ N e
x y m sin
l
=0

(3.10)
m 1


2
m IE N x mx mx mx


w
EI
l
GJ
A

m sin
l
N x ez vm sin
l
+ N x e y wm sin
l
=0

(3.11)
m 1
In matrix format, we have
m
2
EI zz N x 0 N x ez
l


m
2 vm 0
mx


0 EI yy

l
N
x

N e
x y


m

w

sin
l
0 (3.12)

m 1 0
m
2
m I N
N x ez N x ey ECw + GJ E x
l A

The stability problem represented by the system of differential equations is now reduced to an algebraic eigenvector
eigenvalue problem given by the homogeneous Equation (3.12). For non-trivial solutions, the characteristic buckling
equation is the determinatal Equation (3.13)
m
2
EI zz Nx 0 N x ez
l

m
2
0 EI yy Nx N x ey 0 (3.13)
l

m
2
IE N x
N x ez N x ey ECw GJ
l A

2
m
Let Pzz EI zz
l
2
m
Pyy EI yy
l

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International Journal of Advanced Engineering Research and Science (IJAERS) [Vol-4, Issue-3, Mar- 2017]
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A m
2
P ECw GJ
IE l

2
m P I E
ECw GJ
l A
Hence we have

( Pzz N x ) 0 N x ez
0 ( Pyy N x ) N xey 0 (3.14)

P I E I E N x
N x ez N x ey
A A
By expansion of the determinant, we have
( Pyy N x ) N x ey 0 ( Pyy N x )
( Pzz N x ) IE N x ez 0 (3.15)
N x ey ( P N x ) N x ez N x ey
A
I
(Pzz N x ) (Pyy N x )( P N x ) E ( N x e y )2 N x ez (0 N x ez (Pyy N x )) 0 (3.16)
A
I
( Pzz N x )( Pyy N x )( Px N x ) E ( N x e y )2 ( Pzz N x ) ( N x ez )2 ( Pyy N x ) 0 (3.17)
A
A A
(Pzz N x )(Pyy N x )(P N x ) N x2e2y (Pzz N x ) N x2ez2 (Pyy N x ) 0 (3.18)
IE IE
But
I xx I yy
r02 e2y e2z
A
I E I xx I yy (e2x ez2 ) A
IE I xx I yy
e2y ez2 r02
A A
Hence,
e2y e2z
( Pzz N x )( Pyy N x )( P N x ) N x2 ( Pzz N x ) N x2 ( Pyy N x ) 0 (3.19)
r02 r02
e2y N x2ez2
( Pzz N x )( Pyy N x )( P N x ) N x2 2
( Pzz N x ) ( Pyy N x ) 0 (3.20)
r0 r02
This is the characteristic equation for determining the
buckling load of a column with an asymmetric cross-
section. The buckling equation is a third order polynomial
e2z
in Nx. Thus, it can be solved using the methods for ( Pzz N x )( Pyy N x )( P N x ) N x2 ( Pyy N x ) 0
solving polynomials to obtain the three roots Pcr , Pcr
r02
1 2 (3.21)
and Pcr . The smallest of the three critical buckling loads or,
3
will govern the buckling behaviour of the column. N 2e2
However, if the zz axis is the axis of symmetry of the ( Pyy N x ) ( Pzz N x )( P N x ) x2 z 0
r0
cross-section, ey = 0, and the characteristic buckling
equation simplifies to become (3.22)

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International Journal of Advanced Engineering Research and Science (IJAERS) [Vol-4, Issue-3, Mar- 2017]
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Hence, in this case (monosymmetric cross-section), the buckling equations are uncoupled and the three roots
column can buckle in two possible buckling modes indicate the bisymmetric column can buckle in pure
namely pure flexural buckling in the yy axis, and Eulerian flexure in the axes of symmetry or pure torsional
flexural torsional buckling, otherwise. If Pyy is the buckling mode.
smallest of the three roots, of Equation (3.22) the
monosymmetric section column will buckle in pure
Eulerian flexure, otherwise flexural torsional buckling REFERENCES
failure will take place. [1] Euler, I. (1759): Sur la force des colonnes.
If the column has two axis of symmetry then ey = 0, ey = 0 Memoires de lacadmie des sciences de Berlin
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(Pzz N x )(Pyy N x )(P N x ) 0 (3.23) Vol 17 (1982) pp 89 118.
[2] St Venant, A.J.C.B (1855): Memoire sur la Torsion
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equations become uncoupled and the three roots become
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pure torsional buckling mode. The smallest of the three
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roots governs the buckling mode. Critical values of each
des Universitat Munchen.
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IV. DISCUSSIONS AND CONCLUSIONS
p4 5.
The system of governing differential equations of
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are flexural torsional buckling modes. The critical Double Layer Space Trusses Incorporating
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equilibrium become uncoupled. The characteristic Vol. 42, No, pp. 43 54.
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International Journal of Advanced Engineering Research and Science (IJAERS) [Vol-4, Issue-3, Mar- 2017]
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