Spreadsheet for estimating the strength of steel, aluminum and wood columns

Written by Neal Willford 11/6/2004 for Sport Aviation

Based on methods in "Analysis & Design of Flight Vehicle Structures" by Bruhn and ANC-18 "Design of Wood Aircraft
Estimates assume pinned connection at end points
***This spreadsheet is for educational purposes only and may contain errors. Any attempt to use the results for actua
For streamlined tubes, use the equivalent diameter for compression shown in supply catalogs for the given streamlin
Input required in the yellow cells
4130 ROUND Steel Tubing
Tubing Diameter:
0.50 inches
Area =
Tubing Thickness:
0.035 inches
Moment of Inertia =
Tubing Length:
27.00 inches (distance between end points)
radius of gyration (rho) =
Tube weight =
0.39 lbs
Length/rho =
Ftu =
95000 psi (ultimate tensile stress)
Fco =
79500 psi (yield compressive stress)
Column buckling stress =
For tubes in compression
Maximum compressive strength =
Ultimate design compressive load:
Margin of Safety =

545 lbs
525 lbs
4%

For tubes in tension

Maximum tensile strength =
Ultimate design tension load:
Margin of Safety =

2024-T3 ROUND Aluminum Tubing

D/t =
Tubing Diameter:
0.63 inches
Area =
Tubing Thickness:
0.058 inches
Moment of Inertia =
Tubing Length:
27.00 inches (distance between end points)
radius of gyration (rho) =
Tube weight =
0.28 lbs
Length/rho =
Ftu =
62000 psi (ultimate tensile stress)
Transition Length/rho =
Fco =
50607 psi (yield compressive stress)
Column buckling stress =
For tubes in compression
Maximum compressive strength =
Ultimate design compressive load:
Margin of Safety =

596 lbs
525 lbs
14%

For tubes in tension

Maximum tensile strength =
Ultimate design tension load:
Margin of Safety =

6061-T6 ROUND Aluminum Tubing

D/t =
Tubing Diameter:
0.63 inches
Area =
Tubing Thickness:
0.058 inches
Moment of Inertia =
Tubing Length:
27.00 inches (distance between end points)
radius of gyration (rho) =
Tube weight =
0.27 lbs
Length/rho =
Ftu =
42000 psi (ultimate tensile stress)
Transition Length/rho =
Fco =
39509 psi (yield compressive stress)
Column buckling stress =
For tubes in compression
Maximum compressive strength =
Ultimate design compressive load:
Margin of Safety =

574 lbs
525 lbs
9%

For tubes in tension

Maximum tensile strength =
Ultimate design tension load:
Margin of Safety =

Wood Columns
Modulus of Elasticity (psi)
Density (lbs/cu. In.)
Ultimate Compressive Stress (psi)
Ultimate Tensile Stress (psi)

Spruce
Douglas Fir
1300000 1700000
0.01563 0.01968
5000
7000
9400
11500

Width:
0.88 inches
Area =
Height:
0.75 inches
Moment of Inertia =
Tubing Length:
27.00 inches (distance between end points)
radius of gyration (rho) =
Enter material properties for the wood being considered:
Length/rho =
Modulus of Elasticity:
1300000 psi
Critical Length/rho =
Density:
0.0156 lbs/cu. In.
Ult Comp.Stress:
5000 psi
Ult Tensile Stress:
9400 psi
Column buckling stress =
Column weight =
0.28 lbs
For member in compression
Maximum compressive strength =
Ultimate design compressive load:
Margin of Safety =

549 lbs
525 lbs
4%

For member in tension

Maximum tensile strength =
Ultimate design tension load:
Margin of Safety =

ANC-18 "Design of Wood Aircraft Structures"

tempt to use the results for actual design purposes are done at the user's own risk ***
y catalogs for the given streamline tube

Moment of Inertia =
radius of gyration (rho) =
Length/rho =

0.051 sq. inches

0.001 inches^4
0.16 inches
164

10664 psi (for the given column dimensions)

For tubes in tension
Maximum tensile strength =
Ultimate design tension load:
Margin of Safety =

4857 lbs
525 lbs
825%

10.8 Fcc =

49325 psi
0.103 sq. inches
Moment of Inertia =
0.004 inches^4
radius of gyration (rho) =
0.20 inches
Length/rho =
134
Transition Length/rho =
78
5772 psi (for the given column dimensions)
For tubes in tension
Maximum tensile strength =
Ultimate design tension load:
Margin of Safety =

6405 lbs
525 lbs
1120%

10.8 Fcc =

39645 psi
0.103 sq. inches
Moment of Inertia =
0.004 inches^4
radius of gyration (rho) =
0.20 inches
Length/rho =
134
Transition Length/rho =
68
5553 psi (for the given column dimensions)
For tubes in tension
Maximum tensile strength =
Ultimate design tension load:
Margin of Safety =

4339 lbs
525 lbs
727%

Moment of Inertia =
radius of gyration (rho) =
Length/rho =
Critical Length/rho =

0.656 sq. inches

0.031 inches^4
0.22 inches
125
62

836 psi (for the given column dimensions)

For member in tension

Maximum tensile strength =
Ultimate design tension load:
Margin of Safety =

6169 lbs
525 lbs
1075%