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Lateral Stability of Thin Tapered Struts

Citation

Durup, Paul Christian and Weisenberg, Joseph Oscar (1947) Lateral Stability of Thin Tapered Struts. Engineer's thesis, California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/FGGF-0080. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-12032008-152413

Abstract

From the experimental investigation detailed herein it has been determined, at least for two types of struts, that there is a very close correlation between (1) the experimentally determined buckling load which a given strut will sustain and (2) the critical load determined by the use of Southwell’s method, which does not entail loading the strut to its critical load. By using an initial eccentricity and loads considerably less than the original, the critical load may be derived from the results of three or four simple test readings, not requiring an elaborate or refined setup. Experimental verification of existing theory of lateral buckling is noted for the case of struts tapered to a point at the application of the loading. The possibility of determining the eccentricity of a given loading by plots of β/p vs. β is pointed out and the type of curve to be expected as noted. However due to lack of refinement of the experimental setup, no definite conclusions are presented. The theoretical portion of this thesis offers the derivation of a formula for the lateral buckling of a thin linearly tapered strut of constant thickness. Due to the complexity of the problem certain simplifications were made to facilitate this derivation. Comparison of the values determined by use of this formula with the values experimentally determined for four struts shows a fairly close correlation. It is suggested that in some future work a more thorough investigation be made of the relation between the eccentricity of the loading and the load which a strut will carry, using a given deflection as a parameter.

Item Type:Thesis (Engineer's thesis)
Subject Keywords:Aeronautical Engineering
Degree Grantor:California Institute of Technology
Division:Engineering and Applied Science
Major Option:Aeronautics
Thesis Availability:Public (worldwide access)
Research Advisor(s):
  • Sechler, Ernest Edwin
Group:GALCIT
Thesis Committee:
  • Unknown, Unknown
Defense Date:1 January 1947
Record Number:CaltechETD:etd-12032008-152413
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-12032008-152413
DOI:10.7907/FGGF-0080
Default Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:4751
Collection:CaltechTHESIS
Deposited By: Imported from ETD-db
Deposited On:19 Dec 2008
Last Modified:16 Mar 2023 19:59

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