Evaluation of the Effect of End Conditions on the Load Carrying Capacity of Long Column

Abstract

The principle aim of the study was to determine the effect of end conditions on the load carrying capacity of slender column. The secondary objective of the research was to compare the theoretical and actual critical stress of the slender column. To achieve the goal of the study, total 64 numbers of slender column of different materials and different cross sections were prepared for the test. The cross-sectional dimensions of square bars considered for the tests were 6mmX6mm, 5mmX5mm, 4mmX4mm and for circular bar the diameters were 6mm,5mm and 4mm. The length of the columns were 1m and 0.8 m. The support conditions considered for the tests were both endfixed, one endfixed and other one is hinged, both ends hinged and one endfixed other is free. The experimental results show that the actual load carrying capacity of the slender columns were greater most of the time than the theoretical load carrying capacity. Results also show that the load carrying capacity of the column linearly increases with the cross-sectional area for the same column length and end condition. The critical load carrying capacity of both endfixed support condition found significantly higher than the cantilever support condition for the same slender column. The difference between the actual and theoretical load carrying capacity of the slender column inversely varies with the cross-sectional area of the column. Critical load carrying capacity of the slender column made of mild steel specimen was found two times or greater than the stainless-steel specimen and the load carrying capacity of the column linearly increases with the cross-sectional area for the same column length and end condition.