Euler's Formula for Pin-Ended Columns

Buckling is the instability that occurs when a compressive axial load applied to a column exceeds the critical load. For a pin-ended column like PQ, when the applied load surpasses this threshold, the column becomes unstable and deflects laterally from its vertical position. This transition from stable to unstable behavior is fundamental to understanding column failure under compression.

The critical load is derived by modeling the column as a vertical beam and analyzing its elastic curve. A second-order differential equation is established using the bending moment at any point on the curve. Solving this equation with boundary conditions—requiring deflection to be zero at pin supports—yields the critical load expression. This lowest load value at which buckling occurs is Euler's formula.

The elastic curve represents the deflected shape of the column under load. At any point O on this curve, the bending moment equals the second derivative of deflection with respect to distance. This relationship forms the basis of the differential equation solved to find the critical load. Substituting Euler's formula back into this equation yields the elastic curve equation after buckling occurs.

Two boundary conditions apply: first, the deflection coefficient B must equal zero at the pin supports; second, either coefficient A or the sine term must be zero. The second condition is satisfied by making the sine term zero, which yields the critical load expression. These conditions ensure the solution represents a physically realistic column with zero deflection at both ends.

Euler's formula assumes the column is perfectly straight, homogeneous, and isotropic before loading. Additionally, the axial load must be applied perfectly along the vertical axis, ensuring a centric load condition. These idealized assumptions are necessary for the mathematical derivation and determine the formula's applicability to real-world columns.

The differential equation solution contains sine and cosine terms whose coefficients are determined by boundary conditions. When the sine term equals zero, the critical load expression emerges. This mathematical condition represents the transition point where the column shifts from stable equilibrium to unstable buckling, making it essential for predicting structural failure.

While this derivation focuses on pin-ended columns, Euler's formula can be adapted for columns with other end conditions by modifying the boundary conditions in the differential equation. Different support types—such as fixed or free ends—alter the deflection constraints and produce different critical load expressions, extending the formula's utility across various structural configurations.