STS12 - Experiment
Euler Buckling of Struts (Next Generation Structures)
One of a range of experiment modules that fit to the Structures platform (STS1, available separately), this product helps students to understand the nature of buckling in slender beams that simulate ‘struts’. Students fit one of a choice of struts between the two major parts of the product. One part has a hand-operated control to apply the buckling force. The other part has a load cell to measure the applied load.
Students apply a buckling force to a strut, measuring the load and the point at which the strut collapses or ‘buckles’. Students use textbook equations, including Euler’s theory to predict the buckling loads, comparing them with measured results. This helps confirm the reliability of the textbook equations and the accuracy of the experiment results.
This product includes specimen struts of different lengths for comparison of the buckling loads. It also includes different strut end fixings for comparisons of how they affect the buckling load and shape of the strut as it buckles. A Vernier Caliper (included) allows students to measure the cross-section of the struts.
The load cell connects to the USB interface hub of the Structures platform for computer display and data acquisition (VDAS® Onboard).
*There are 21 different experiments in the Next Generation Structures range. View them all in this easy to view flyer here.
Learning outcomes
- Strut length and the collapse load
- Euler’s critical load
- Slenderness ratio
- Effective length
- The collapse load and strut fixings, including:
- Pinned-pinned
- Fixed-pinned
- Fixed-fixed
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Euler Buckling of Struts (Next Generation Structures)Next Generation Structures Range Overview
