Home Back

Moment of Inertia given Crippling Load by Euler's Formula Calculator

Moment of Inertia Formula:

\[ I = \frac{P_E \times L_{eff}^2}{\pi^2 \times E} \]

N
m
Pa
%

1. What is Moment of Inertia given Crippling Load by Euler's Formula?

Definition: This calculator determines the moment of inertia required for a column to resist buckling under a given axial load using Euler's formula.

Purpose: It helps structural engineers design columns that can support specific loads without buckling.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses Euler's formula:

\[ I = \frac{P_E \times L_{eff}^2}{\pi^2 \times E} \]

Where:

  • \( I \) — Moment of inertia (m⁴)
  • \( P_E \) — Euler's buckling load (N)
  • \( L_{eff} \) — Effective column length (m)
  • \( E \) — Modulus of elasticity (Pa)
  • \( \pi \) — Mathematical constant (≈3.1416)

Explanation: The formula calculates the minimum moment of inertia needed to prevent buckling under the specified load.

3. Importance of Moment of Inertia Calculation

Details: Proper calculation ensures structural stability, prevents column failure, and helps optimize material usage in construction.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the buckling load in newtons, effective length in meters, modulus of elasticity in pascals, and tolerance percentage (default ±5%). All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is Euler's buckling load?
A: It's the critical axial load at which a slender column will suddenly bend or buckle.

Q2: How is effective length determined?
A: It depends on the column's end conditions (fixed, pinned, free) and actual length.

Q3: What's a typical modulus of elasticity for steel?
A: About 200 GPa (200 × 10⁹ Pa) for structural steel.

Q4: Why include a tolerance percentage?
A: To account for material variations, imperfections, and safety factors in real-world applications.

Q5: Can this be used for any column material?
A: Yes, as long as you use the correct modulus of elasticity for the material.

Moment of Inertia Calculator© - All Rights Reserved 2025