{"appState":{"pageLoadApiCallsStatus":true},"articleState":{"article":{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-03-26T20:24:34+00:00","modifiedTime":"2016-03-26T20:24:34+00:00","timestamp":"2022-09-14T18:08:49+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Business, Careers, & Money","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/34224"},"slug":"business-careers-money","categoryId":34224},{"name":"Careers","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/34256"},"slug":"careers","categoryId":34256},{"name":"Trades, Tech, & Engineering Careers","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/34271"},"slug":"trades-tech-engineering-careers","categoryId":34271}],"title":"Basic Mechanics of Materials: Computing Stresses in Columns","strippedTitle":"basic mechanics of materials: computing stresses in columns","slug":"basic-mechanics-of-materials-computing-stresses-in-columns","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"Knowing how to compute the stress in a column ( compression member ) is a basic point of knowledge in mechanics of materials. Determine if the column is ' short","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"<p>Knowing how to compute the stress in a column (<i>compression member</i>) is a basic point of knowledge in mechanics of materials. Determine if the column is ' short, slender, or intermediate by computing its maximum slenderness ratio (<i>KL/r</i>). For short columns, the stress of a member in compression is the basic axial stress formulation. For intermediate and slender columns, you can use the generalized Euler's buckling equation. Approximate slenderness ratios for steel columns are shown in parentheses.</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b>Short columns</b>: Slenderness ratio (<i>KL/r</i> < 50).</p>\n<img src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/273811.image0.jpg\" width=\"44\" height=\"29\" alt=\"image0.jpg\"/>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b>Slender columns:</b> Slenderness ratio (<i>KL/r</i> ≥200). The calculation for slender columns uses the modulus of elasticity (<i>E</i>).</p>\n<img src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/273812.image1.jpg\" width=\"127\" height=\"56\" alt=\"image1.jpg\"/>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b>Intermediate columns: </b>Slenderness ratio (50 ≤ <i>KL/r</i> < 200). The formula for intermediate columns uses the tangential modulus of elasticity (<i>E</i><i><sub>t</sub></i>).</p>\n<img src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/273813.image2.jpg\" width=\"98\" height=\"59\" alt=\"image2.jpg\"/>\n </li>\n</ul>","description":"<p>Knowing how to compute the stress in a column (<i>compression member</i>) is a basic point of knowledge in mechanics of materials. Determine if the column is ' short, slender, or intermediate by computing its maximum slenderness ratio (<i>KL/r</i>). For short columns, the stress of a member in compression is the basic axial stress formulation. For intermediate and slender columns, you can use the generalized Euler's buckling equation. Approximate slenderness ratios for steel columns are shown in parentheses.</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b>Short columns</b>: Slenderness ratio (<i>KL/r</i> < 50).</p>\n<img src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/273811.image0.jpg\" width=\"44\" height=\"29\" alt=\"image0.jpg\"/>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b>Slender columns:</b> Slenderness ratio (<i>KL/r</i> ≥200). The calculation for slender columns uses the modulus of elasticity (<i>E</i>).</p>\n<img src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/273812.image1.jpg\" width=\"127\" height=\"56\" alt=\"image1.jpg\"/>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b>Intermediate columns: </b>Slenderness ratio (50 ≤ <i>KL/r</i> < 200). The formula for intermediate columns uses the tangential modulus of elasticity (<i>E</i><i><sub>t</sub></i>).</p>\n<img src=\"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/273813.image2.jpg\" width=\"98\" height=\"59\" alt=\"image2.jpg\"/>\n </li>\n</ul>","blurb":"","authors":[{"authorId":10166,"name":"James H. Allen III","slug":"james-h-allen","description":"James H. Allen III, PE, PhD, is an assistant professor of civil engineering and a registered professional engineer. 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Basic Mechanics of Materials: Computing Stresses in Columns

By: James H. Allen III and III and

Updated: 03-26-2016

From The Book: Mechanics of Materials For Dummies

Mechanics of Materials For Dummies

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Knowing how to compute the stress in a column (compression member) is a basic point of knowledge in mechanics of materials. Determine if the column is ' short, slender, or intermediate by computing its maximum slenderness ratio (KL/r). For short columns, the stress of a member in compression is the basic axial stress formulation. For intermediate and slender columns, you can use the generalized Euler's buckling equation. Approximate slenderness ratios for steel columns are shown in parentheses.

Short columns: Slenderness ratio (KL/r < 50).
Slender columns: Slenderness ratio (KL/r ≥200). The calculation for slender columns uses the modulus of elasticity (E).
Intermediate columns: Slenderness ratio (50 ≤ KL/r < 200). The formula for intermediate columns uses the tangential modulus of elasticity (E_t).

About This Article

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Mechanics of Materials For Dummies ,

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James H. Allen III, PE, PhD is an assistant professor of civil engineering and a registered professional engineer. His specialty areas include structural engineering, numerical analysis and error control, and steel design. He is also the author of Statics For Dummies.

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