Topic: Strength of Materials
A vertical column has two moments of inertia $I_{xx}$ and $I_{yy}$. The column will tend to buckle in the direction of the
- A. Axis of load
- B. Perpendicular to the axis of load
- C. Maximum moment of inertia
- D. Minimum moment of inertia
Answer: D. Minimum moment of inertia
Explanation: According to Euler's formula for buckling load, $P_{e} = \frac{\pi^{2}EI_{min}}{L_{e}^{2}}$, where $I_{min}$ is the minimum moment of inertia between $I_{xx}$ and $I_{yy}$. Since the buckling load is directly proportional to $I_{min}$ ($P_{e} \propto I_{min}$), the column offers the least resistance and will tend to buckle about the axis that has the minimum moment of inertia.