Examination Solutions for Simple Buckling Column by Second-Order Analysis

(CSE573 Façade Engineering) Date: 24 January, 2024

Question 4 (Year 2008/2009)

(a) Determine the elastic buckling load of a column under a compressive axial force and with boundary condition as one
end pinned and the other end fixed in rotation and in translation.

ng
(b) Use two elements to determine the elastic buckling load of a column with both ends fixed in rotation and in
translation.

The linear and geometric stiffness matrices are given by the following equation.
 12 6   6 1 

eu
6 12 1 6
− 3  −
 L3 L2
L L 2 
5L 10 5 L 10 
   
 6 4
− 2
6 2   1 2L
−
1
−
L
 2 L   10 30 
[ kl + kG ] = EI z  L L L
+P
15 10

 − 12 − 6 12 6 − 6 − 1 6 1

K
− −
 L3 L2 L3 L2   5L 10 5L 10 
 6 2 6 4   1 L 1 2L 
 2 − 2   − − 
 L L L L   10 30 10 15 

ok
Solution:
(a) According to the boundary conditions of the pinned-fixed column, we have
 dv 
(i) At x = 0, v1 = 0 and θ1 =   = 0 .
 dx  x = 0
Kw
(ii) At x = L, v2 = 0.

Hence we can then delete redundant rows and redundant columns of the stiffness matrix shown as below:

 12 6 12 6   6 1 6 1 
−  5L −
 L3 L2 L3 L2 
10 5L 10 
   
 6 4
− 2
6 2   1 2L
−
1
−
L
O

 2   10 30 
[ kl + kG ] = EI z  L L L L
+ P
15 10

 − 12 6
− 2
12 6
− 2 − 6 −
1 6
− 
1
 L3 L L3 L   5L 10 5L 10 
 6 4   1 2L 
yH

2 6 L 1
 2 − 2   − − 
 L L L L   10 30 10 15 

The final stiffness matrix becomes

4 EI 2 PL
[ kl + k G ] = z +
L 15
By the concept of vanishing stiffness of buckling column, we have
eb

4 EI 2P L
[ kl + kG ] = z + cr = 0
L 15
30 EI
∴ Pcr = − 2 z
L
n
Do

1 of 8
 Examination Solutions for Simple Buckling Column by Second-Order Analysis
(CSE573 Façade Engineering) Date: 24 January, 2024
(b) By dividing the fixed-fixed column into two equal elements, □ a and □b , as shown in the figure (a) and based on the
labeling shown in the figure (b), we can write the local stiffness matrix of element □a and element □ b as follows:

 12 6 12 6   6 1 6 1 
−

ng
 L3 −
L12 L13 L12   5L 10 5 L1 10 
 1   1 
 6 4 6 2   1 2 L1 1 L 
 2 − − − 1
L1 L1 L12 L1  
[ kl + kG ]a = EI z 
 12 6
+ P
10 15 10 30 
6 12  6 1 6 1
− 3 − − 2  − 5L − − 

eu
 L1 L12 L13 L1  10 5 L1 10
 1

 6 2 6 4   1 L1 1 2 L1 
 2 −   10 − −
 L1 L1 L12 L1   30 10 15 
vb1 b1 vb2 b2 vb1 b1 vb2 b2
 12 6 

K
6 12  6 1 6 1 
 L3 − 3 −
L12   5L Fb1
 1
L12 L1
 10 5 L1 10 
 1 
 6 4 6 2   1 2 L1 1 L 
 2 − − − 1  Mb1
L1 L1 L12 L1  
[ kl + kG ]b = EI z 
 12
+P
10 15 10 30 
6 12 6  6 1 6 1
− 3 − − 2  − 5L − −  Fb2

ok
 L1 L12 L13 L1  10 5 L1 10
 1

 6 2 6 4   1 L1 1 2 L1 
 2 −   10 − − Mb2
 L1 L1 L12 L1   30 10 15 
L
where L1 = .
Kw
2
Applying the conditions of equilibrium and compatibility at each node, we have
F2 = Fa 2 + Fb1
M 2 = M a 2 + M b1
va 2 = vb1 = v2
θ a 2 = θb1 = θ 2
By combining above two local stiffness matrices, we can find the global stiffness matrix of the fixed-fixed column as:
O
yH

 12 6 12 6   6 
 L3 − 0 0  1
−
6 1
0 0 
L12 L13 L12  5L
 1   1
10 5 L1 10

 6 4 6 2   1 
 2 − 0 0  2 L1
−
1
−
L1
0 0 
L12 
 L1 L1 L1   10 15 10 30 
 12 6 12 12 6 6 12 6   6 1 6 6 1 1 6 1 
− 3 − + − + −  − − + − + − 
 L1 L12 L31 L31 L12 L12 L13 L12   5L1 10 5L1 5 L1 10 10 5 L1 10 
[ kl + kG ] = EI z  + P 
 6 2 
eb

2 6 6 4 4 6  1 L1 1 1 2 L1 2 L1 1 L
 L2 − + + − − − + + − − 1
L1 L12 L12 L1 L1 L12 L1   10 30 10 10 15 15 10 30 
 1   
 6  0 − 
12 6 12 6 1 6 1
 0 0 − − − 2 0 − −
L31 L12 L13  5 L1 10 5 L1 10 
 L1 
 
 6 2 6 4   1 L1 1 2 L1 
 0 0 −   0 0 − −
 L12 L1 L12 L1  10 30 10 15 
n

According to the boundary conditions of the fixed-fixed column, we have

 dv 
Do

(i) At x = 0, v1 = 0 and θ1 =   = 0 .
 dx  x = 0
 dv 
(ii) At x = L, v3 = 0 and θ3 =   = 0 .
 dx  x = L
L  dv 
(iii) By symmetry of column, at x = , θ2 =   = 0.
2  dx  x = L
2

2 of 8
 Examination Solutions for Simple Buckling Column by Second-Order Analysis
(CSE573 Façade Engineering) Date: 24 January, 2024
Hence we can then delete redundant rows and redundant columns of the global stiffness matrix shown as below:

 12 6 12 6   6 
 L3 − 0 0  1
−
6 1
0 0 
L12 L13 L12  5L

ng
 1   1
10 5L1 10

 6 4 6 2   1 
 2 − 0 0  2 L1
−
1
−
L1
0 0 
L1 L12 L1 
 L1   10 15 10 30 
 12 6 24 12 6   6 1 12 6 1 
− 3 − 0 −  − 5L − 0 −
L L12 L13 L13 L12  10 
[ kl + kG ] = EI z  1
10 5L1 5L1

eu
+P 1

6 2 8 6 2   1 L1 4 L1 1 L1 
 2 0 −   − 0 − − 
 L1 L1 L1 L12 L1 
 10 30 15 10 30 
 12 6 12 6  6 1 6 1
 0 0 − − − 2  0 0 − − − 
 L31 L12 L13 L1  5L1 10 5 L1 10

K
 
 6 2 6 4   1 L1 1 2 L1 
 0 −   0 0 − −
15 
0
 L12 L1 L12 L1   10 30 10

The final global stiffness matrix becomes

ok
24 EI 12 P 24 EI z  PL12 
[ kl + k G ] = 3 z + = 3 1 + 
L1 5L1 L1  10 EI z 

By the concept of vanishing stiffness of buckling column, we have

24 EI  P L2 
[ kl + kG ] = 3 z 1 + cr 1  = 0
Kw
L1  10 EI z 
10 EI z 10 EI z 40 EI
∴ Pcr = − =− =− 2 z
( )
2 2
L1 L L
2
O

Question 2 (Year 2012/2013)

The pin-pin column is under an axial force P at its top.
yH

Determine the elastic buckling load of a pin-pin column in terms of P, EIz and L using the linear and geometric stiffness
matrices of the cubic Hermite element given below.
 12 6 12 6   6 1 6 1 
− 3  −
 L3 L 2
L L2 
5L 10 5L 10 
   
 6 4
−
6 2   1 2L
−
1
−
L
 2 L2 L   10 30 
[ kl + kG ] = EI z  L L
+ P
15 10
eb


 − 12 − 6 12
−
6 − 6 − 1 6
−
1
 L3 L2 L3 L2   5L 10 5 L 10 
 6 2 6 4   1 L 1 2L 
 2 − 2   − − 
 L L L L   10 30 10 15 
Linear Stiffness Matrix Geometric Stiffness Matrix
n

Corresponding load and displacement vectors are as follows:

[Q ] = [ F1 M 1 F2 M 2 ]
T
Do

[u ] = [v1 θ1 v2 θ 2 ]
T

where F and M are the shear force and moment respectively, v and θ are the displacement and the rotation. Subscripts 1
EI z
and 2 refer to the end nodes 1 and 2. All vertical columns are of the same flexural stiffness constant .
L

3 of 8
 Examination Solutions for Simple Buckling Column by Second-Order Analysis
(CSE573 Façade Engineering) Date: 24 January, 2024
Solution:
According to the boundary conditions of the pin-pin column, we have
(i) At x = 0, v1 = 0.
(ii) At x = L, v2 = 0.

ng
(iii) By symmetry of column, θ 2 = −θ1 .

Hence we can then delete redundant rows and redundant columns of the stiffness matrix shown as below:

eu
 12 6 12 6   6 1 6 1 
− 3  5L −
 L3 L2 L L2 
10 5L 10  2
   
 6 4
− 2
6 2   1 2L
−
1
−
L
 2   10 30 
[ kl + kG ] = EI z  L L L L
+ P
15 10


K
 − 12 6
− 2
12 6
− 2 − 6 −
1 6
− 
1
 L3 L L3 L   5L 10 5L 10  EIz L
 6 2 6 4   1 L 1 2L 
 2 − 2   − − 
 L L L L   10 30 10 15 

ok
The final stiffness matrix becomes
1
4 2  2L L   2   L 
L − L  15 + 30   L   6 
[ l G]
k + k = EI z   + P   = EI z  +P 
2 − 4 − L − 2L  − 2  − L 
 L L   30 15   L   6 
Kw
As the rank of above matrix is equal to 1, i.e. M 2 = − M 1 , the final stiffness matrix can be further reduced to
2 EI z PL
[ kl + k G ] = +
L 6

By the concept of vanishing stiffness of buckling column, we have

2 EI P L
[ kl + kG ] = z + cr = 0
L 6
O

12 EI z
∴ Pcr = − 2
L
yH

Question 2 (Year 2018/2019)

The cantilever with one end fixed in rotation and displacement and the other end free to rotate and displace is under an
axial force P at the top of a column. Determine the elastic buckling load of the column
 12 6 12 6   6 1 6 1 
− 3  5L −
 L3 L2 L L2  10 5L 10 
   
eb

 6 4
−
6 2   1 2L
−
1
−
L
 2 L2 L   10 30 
[ kl + kG ] = EI z  L L
+ P
15 10

− 12 6 12 6  − 6 1 6 1
− − − −
 L3 L2 L3 L2   5L 10 5 L 10 
 6 2 6 4   1 L 1 2L 
 2 − 2   − − 
n

 L L L L   10 30 10 15 
Linear Stiffness Matrix Geometric Stiffness Matrix
Do

Corresponding load and displacement vectors are as follows:

[Q ] = [ F1 M2 ]
T
M1 F2
[u ] = [v1 θ1 v2 θ 2 ]
T

where F and M are the shear force and moment respectively, v and θ are the displacement and the rotation. Subscripts 1
EI z
and 2 refer to the end nodes 1 and 2. All vertical columns are of the same flexural stiffness constant .
L

4 of 8
 Examination Solutions for Simple Buckling Column by Second-Order Analysis
(CSE573 Façade Engineering) Date: 24 January, 2024
Solution:
According to the boundary conditions of the cantilever column, we have
P P
 dv 
(i) At x = 0, v1 = 0 and θ1 =   = 0 .
 dx  x = 0

ng
2 2

Hence we can then delete redundant rows and redundant columns of the stiffness matrix
shown as below:

eu
 12 6 12 6   6 1 6 1 
−  5L −
 L3 L2 L3 L2 
10 5L 10 
   
 6 4
− 2
6 2   1 2L
−
1
−
L
 2   10 30 
[ kl + kG ] = EI z  L L L L 15 10 1 1
+ P 

K
 − 12 6 12 6 − 6 1 6 1 Deformed
− 2 − 2 − − 
 L3 L L3 L   5L 10 5L 10  Column
 6 2 6 4   1 L 1 2L 
 2 − 2   − − 
 L L L L   10 30 10 15 

ok
The final stiffness matrix becomes
 12 6  6 1
 L3 − L2   5L − 6   36 
10  2 EI z  −3  P  −3 
[ kl + kG ] = EI z  +P = 2 L + L
− 6 4  − 1 2L  L   30  
 −3 2 L   −3 4 L 
 L2 L   10 15  
Kw
 6   36  6 
2 EI z   −3   −3   2 EI z  (1 + 6λ ) −3 (1 + λ ) 
= 2  L +λ L  = 2 L
L     L  
  −3 2 L   −3 4 L    −3 (1 + λ ) 2 L (1 + 2λ ) 
PL2
where λ =
60 EI z
O

By the concept of vanishing stiffness of buckling column, we have

6
2 EI z (1 + 6λ ) −3 (1 + λ )
[ l G]
k + k = L =0
L2
−3 (1 + λ ) 2 L (1 + 2λ )
yH

12 (1 + 6λ )(1 + 2λ ) − 9 (1 + λ ) = 0
2

4 (12λ 2 + 8λ + 1) − 3 ( λ 2 + 2λ + 1) = 0
45λ 2 + 26λ + 1 = 0
−26 ± 262 − 4 × 45 × 1 −26 ± 496
λ= =
2 × 45 90
eb

λ = −0.0414327 or λ = −0.536345 (Rejected)

Pcr L2
= −0.0414327
60 EI z
2.4860 EI z
∴ Pcr = −
L2
n
Do

5 of 8
 Examination Solutions for Simple Buckling Column by Second-Order Analysis
(CSE573 Façade Engineering) Date: 24 January, 2024

Extra Question 1
The column with one end fixed in rotation and in translation, and the other end fixed in rotation but free in translation is
under an axial force P at the top of a column. Determine the elastic buckling load of the column in terms of P, EIz and L

ng
using the linear and geometric stiffness matrices of the cubic Hermite element given below.
 12 6 12 6   6 1 6 1 
− 3  5L −
 L3 L2 L L2  10 5L 10 
   
 6 4
−
6 2   1 2L
−
1
−
L
 2 L2 L   10 30 
[ kl + kG ] = EI z  L L
+ P
15 10

eu

 − 12 − 6 12
−
6 − 6 − 1 6
−
1
 L3 L2 L3 L2   5L 10 5 L 10 
 6 2 6 4   1 L 1 2L 
 2 − 2   − − 
 L L L L   10 30 10 15 

K
Linear Stiffness Matrix Geometric Stiffness Matrix

Corresponding load and displacement vectors are as follows:

[Q ] = [ F1 M2 ]
T
M1 F2
[u ] = [v1 θ1 v2 θ 2 ]

ok
T

where F and M are the shear force and moment respectively, v and θ are the displacement and the rotation. Subscripts 1
EI z
and 2 refer to the end nodes 1 and 2. All vertical columns are of the same flexural stiffness constant .
L
Kw
Solution:
According to the boundary conditions of the fixed-fixed slide column, we have P
 dv 
(i) At x = 0, θ1 =   = 0 .
 dx  x = 0 EI = ∞ 2
 dv 
(ii) At x = L, v2 = 0 and θ 2 =   = 0 .
 dx  x = L
O

Hence we can then delete redundant rows and redundant columns of the stiffness matrix shown as
below:
yH

 12 6 12 6   6 1 6 1 
−  5L −
 L3 L2 L3 L2 
10 5L 10  EI = ∞ 1
   
 6 4
− 2
6 2   1 2L
−
1
− 
L
 2 L   10 30 
[ kl + kG ] = EI z  L L L
+P
15 10

 − 12 6
− 2
12 6
− 2 − 6 −
1 6
− 
1
 L3 L L3 L   5L 10 5L 10 
eb

 6 2 6 4   1 L 1 2L 
 − 2   − − 
 L2 L L L   10 30 10 15 

The final stiffness matrix becomes

12 EI 6P
[ kl + k G ] = 3 z +
L 5L
n

By the concept of vanishing stiffness of buckling column, we have

Do

12 EI 6P
[ kl + kG ] = 3 z + cr = 0
L 5L
10 EI z
∴ Pcr = − 2
L

6 of 8
 Examination Solutions for Simple Buckling Column by Second-Order Analysis
(CSE573 Façade Engineering) Date: 24 January, 2024

Extra Question 2
The column with one end pinned, and the other end fixed in rotation but free in translation is under an axial force P at the
top of a column. Determine the elastic buckling load of the column in terms of P, EIz and L using the linear and geometric

ng
stiffness matrices of the cubic Hermite element given below.
 12 6 12 6   6 1 6 1 
− 3  5L −
 L3 L2 L L2  10 5L 10 
   
 6 4
−
6 2   1 2L
−
1
−
L
 2 L2 L   10 30 
[ kl + kG ] = EI z  L L
+ P
15 10

eu

 − 12 − 6 12
−
6 − 6 − 1 6
−
1
 L3 L2 L3 L2   5L 10 5 L 10 
 6 2 6 4   1 L 1 2L 
 2 − 2   − − 
 L L L L   10 30 10 15 

K
Linear Stiffness Matrix Geometric Stiffness Matrix

Corresponding load and displacement vectors are as follows:

[Q ] = [ F1 M2 ]
T
M1 F2
[u ] = [v1 θ1 v2 θ 2 ]

ok
T

where F and M are the shear force and moment respectively, v and θ are the displacement and the rotation. Subscripts 1
EI z
and 2 refer to the end nodes 1 and 2. All vertical columns are of the same flexural stiffness constant .
L
Kw
Solution:
According to the boundary conditions of the pinned-fixed slide column, we have
 dv 
(i) At x = 0, θ1 =   = 0 .
 dx  x = 0
(ii) At x = L, v2 = 0.

Hence we can then delete redundant rows and redundant columns of the stiffness matrix shown as
O

below:

 12 6 12 6   6 1 6 1 
− −
yH

 L3 L2 L3 L2   5L 10 5L 10 
   
 6 4 6 2   1 2L 1 L EI = ∞
− 2 − −
 2   10 30 
[ kl + kG ] = EI z  L L L L
+P
15 10

 − 12 6
− 2
12 6
− 2 − 6 −
1 6
− 
1
 L3 L L3 L   5L 10 5L 10 
 6 2 6 4   1 L 1 2L 
 − 2   − − 
eb

 L2 L L L   10 30 10 15 

The final stiffness matrix becomes

 12 6  6 1 
 5L 6   36 
 L3 L2  10  2 EI z 3 P 3
[ kl + kG ] = EI z  + P = 2 L +
n

L
6 4 1 2L  L   30  
 L2 L   10  3 2L 3 4L
15 
Do

 6   36  6 
2 EI  3 3   2 EI z  L (1 + 6λ ) 3 (1 + λ ) 
= 2z   L 
+λ L
 
= 2
 
 3 (1 + λ ) 2 L (1 + 2λ ) 
L  3 L
 2L 3 4 L  

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 Examination Solutions for Simple Buckling Column by Second-Order Analysis
(CSE573 Façade Engineering) Date: 24 January, 2024

By the concept of vanishing stiffness of buckling column, we have

6
2 EI (1 + 6λ ) 3 (1 + λ )
[ kl + k G ] = 2 z L =0
3 (1 + λ ) 2 L (1 + 2λ )
L

ng
12 (1 + 6λ )(1 + 2λ ) − 9 (1 + λ ) = 0
2

4 (12λ 2 + 8λ + 1) − 3 ( λ 2 + 2λ + 1) = 0
45λ 2 + 26λ + 1 = 0

eu
−26 ± 262 − 4 × 45 × 1 −26 ± 496
λ= =
2 × 45 90
λ = −0.0414327 or λ = −0.536345 (Rejected)
Pcr L2

K
= −0.0414327
60 EI z
2.4860 EI z
∴ Pcr = −
L2

Summary of Simple Slender Buckling Column

ok
Kw
Elastic Critical Buckling Load Pcr
Column Type Exact Approximated Second-Order Analysis

2.04π 2 EI z 20.13EI z 30 EI z
Pinned-Fixed − =− −
L2
L2 L2

4π 2 EI z 39.48EI z 40 EI z
Fixed-Fixed − =− −
O

L2 L2 L2

π 2 EI z 9.87 EI z 12 EI z
Pinned-Pinned − =− −
L 2
L2 L2
yH

Fixed-Free π 2 EI z 2.467 EI z 2.4860 EI z

− =− −
(Cantilever) 4 L2 L2 L2

π 2 EI z 9.87 EI z 10 EI z
Fixed-Fixed Slide − =− −
L 2
L2 L2

π 2 EI z 2.467 EI z 2.4860 EI z
− =− −
eb

Pinned-Fixed Slide
4L 2
L2 L2

The negative sign of buckling load stands for compressive force.

n
Do

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