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where the effective length is used to make the formula applicable to
various end conditions. This formula is referred to as the secant formula;
it defines the force per unit area, PyA, that causes a specified maximum
stress s
max
in a column of given effective slenderness ratio, L
e
yr, for a
given value of the ratio ecyr
2
, where e is the eccentricity of the applied
load. We note that, since PyA appears in both members, it is necessary
to solve a transcendental equation by trial and error to obtain the value
of PyA corresponding to a given column and loading condition.
Equation (10.36) was used to draw the curves shown in Fig. 10.23a
and b for a steel column, assuming the values of E and s
Y
shown in
the figure. These curves make it possible to determine the load per
unit area PyA, which causes the column to yield for given values of the
ratios L
e
yr and ecyr
2
.
050
10
20
30
40
36
50
100
150
300
250
200
0.1
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
0
0.1
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
100 150
36 ksi
200
ec
r
2
Y
0
ec
r
2
1
ec
r
2
1
ec
r
2
P/A (MPa)
P/A (ksi)
L
e
/r
0 50 100 150 200
L
e
/r
E
29 10
6
psi
250 MPa
Y
E
200 GPa
Euler’s curve
Euler’s curve
(a)(b)
Fig. 10.23 Load per unit area, PyA, causing yield in column.
We note that, for small values of L
e
yr, the secant is almost equal
to 1 in Eq. (10.36), and PyA can be assumed equal to
P
A
5
s
max
1 1
ec
r
2
(10.37)
a value that could be obtained by neglecting the effect of the lateral
deflection of the column and using the method of Sec. 4.12. On the
other hand, we note from Fig. 10.23 that, for large values of L
e
yr,
the curves corresponding to the various values of the ratio ecyr
2
get
very close to Euler’s curve defined by Eq. (10.139), and thus that the
effect of the eccentricity of the loading on the value of PyA becomes
negligible. The secant formula is chiefly useful for intermediate val-
ues of L
e
yr. However, to use it effectively, we should know the value
of the eccentricity e of the loading, and this quantity, unfortunately,
is seldom known with any degree of precision.
10.5 Eccentric Loading; the Secant Formula
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