m at e r i a l s t e s t i n g a n d p r o p e r t i e s

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Euler Bu c k l i n g Ap par at u s
Bench-top apparatus tests different types of strut and demonstrates how they
deflect under load, and demonstrates the use of Southwell’s method.

S c r een s hot o f t he
O pt i o n a l V DAS ®
s o f t wa r e

K ey F e at u res
• Full analysis of buckling (crippling) of struts
• Can also test struts as simply supported beams – to extend experiments and find flexural rigidity of the struts
• Buckling tests cover pinned and clamped (encastré) ends for various strut lengths and cross sections
• Special end fittings allow tests with eccentric loading
• Electronic load cell and digital display for accurate measurement of end load
• Digital dial gauge measures lateral deflection at any point along a strut
• Range of ten struts supplied as standard
• Extra specimen struts available for more advanced experiments

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 sm 1 0 0 5

Euler Bu c k l i n g Ap par at u s
D es c ri pt i on For quick and reliable tests, TecQuipment can supply the
optional VDAS® (Versatile Data Acquisition System). VDAS®
The SM1005 Loading and Buckling of Struts allows tests
gives accurate real-time data capture, monitoring and
on a full range of struts. It shows load and deflection
display, calculation and charting of all important readings
characteristics and buckling loads for various strut lengths,
on a computer. The computer is not supplied.
cross-section and end conditions. It also allows studies of
the effect of eccentric loading.
Lear ning o u tc o mes
An optional set of extra specimens (SM1005a) allows extra Wit h t he sta nda rd set o f t en specimens:
tests to show students some of the more complicated
problems found in strut design. • Demonstration of buckled (crippled) shape of struts
with different end conditions.
The main part of the apparatus is a precision-engineered
rigid aluminium base, with legs and levelling feet. At one • Determination of load/deflection curves and buckling
end is a loading device which uses a screw to apply loads loads for struts of different lengths and cross-sections,
to the struts. The screw is in fixing blocks with bearings to with any combination of ‘pinned’ or clamped end
give precise and easy load application. fixings.

At the opposite end is the load measuring device. This is • Comparing experiment results with those using Euler’s
a precision mechanism that resists the bending moments buckling theory
produced by the struts as they deflect, and transmits the • Investigation of the effects of side load and eccentric
pure axial force to an electronic load cell. This gives an loading on strut buckling characteristics.
accurate measurement of buckling load. A digital load
meter (DL1 – included) shows the load. • Flexural rigidity and buckling loads for struts of different
materials.
Students may move the load-measuring device along
the base to work with struts of different lengths and fixing • The use of Southwell’s method to estimate buckling
conditions. loads and strut eccentricities from experimental results.

A digital dial indicator fixed to a movable slide measures • Determination of flexural rigidity and comparison with
the deflected shapes of the struts. A scale shows the calculated values.
position of the indicator. The digital load meter and • Deflections of a simply supported beam with a point
the digital dial indicator can connect to TecQuipment’s load including the verification of general deflection
optional VDAS® (Versatile Data Acquisition System). formulae, and the deflected shape.
Holders are at both the loading and load measuring Wit h t he SM10 0 5A o pt io na l set o f a ddit io na l st ruts :
ends. They allow students to create any combination of
• Flexural rigidity and buckling loads for struts of a further
‘pinned’ or clamped end conditions for the strut under
range of different materials.
test. Supplied is a set of special end fittings for tests with
various eccentricities to show the effect of eccentric • Tests on typical engineering sections (circular, angle,
loading. channel and irregular section specimens); the
significance of the neutral axes; combined bending and
The equipment includes a lateral pull attachment for
twisting due to eccentric loading.
students to apply light biasing loads, or larger side loads,
as needed. • The effect of flexibility in end fixings.
Students can also set up the apparatus to examine flexural • Tests on a compound strut with imperfect shearing
rigidity and general beam deflection theory. connections between the two components.
The standard set of ten struts (supplied) covers the
primary variables of length, cross-section and end
Standar d Featu r es
conditions. • Supplied with comprehensive user guide

The optional set of additional struts (SM1005A) includes • Five-year warranty

struts of different materials, typical engineering sections, • Manufactured in accordance with the latest European
and two special struts. The two special struts show how Union directives
buckling loads may be lower than the ideal values,
because of two reasons: • ISO9001 certified manufacturer
• Flexure of the end fixings
R ec o mmend ed Anc illar ies
• Imperfect shearing connections between the parts of a • VDAS-B: a bench-mounted version of the Versatile Data
compound strut Acquisition System
• SM1005a: Set of additional struts

T ec Q u ipment Lt d , B on sa l l Str e e t, l on g e aton , N otti ngha m NG10 2A N, U K

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Euler Bu c k l i n g Ap par at u s
S p e c i f i cat i on s Essential Servic es
TecQuipment is committed to a programme of continuous B ench space needed:
improvement; hence we reserve the right to alter the 1.5 m x 750 mm
design and product specifcation without prior notice.
Elect rica l su pply:
SM 1005
Single-phase 100 VAC to 240 VAC
Nett d imens io ns and w e i gh t of m a i n pa rt:
50 Hz to 60 Hz with earth
1350 mm long x 500 mm wide x 500 mm high and 24 kg
Nett d imens io ns and w e i gh t of d i gi ta l l oa d m e te r : O per ating C o nd itio ns
170 x 60 x 200 mm, 1.4 kg O perat ing enviro nment:
Nett w eig h t o f ad d it i on a l b e a m s a n d oth e r i te m s : Laboratory
1 kg Sto rage t emperat u re ra nge:
Pack e d d imens io ns an d w e i gh t of c om p l e te pac k age : –25°C to +55°C (when packed for transport)
Approximately 0.5 m3, 40 kg O perat ing t emperat u re ra nge:
Load i ng d ev ic e: +5°C to +40°C
Screw with linear and thrust bearings O perat ing relat ive hu midit y ra nge:
Load meas u r ing d ev ice : 80% at temperatures < 31°C decreasing linearly to 50% at
Electronic load cell, with digital readout of force (digital 40°C
load meter) 0 to 2000 N capacity with output to VDAS®
So u nd Levels
D ef lect io n meas u r em e n t:
Less than 70 dB(A)
Digital indicator 0 to 25 mm in 0.01 increments, with output
to VDAS®.
Biasing weig h ts :
1 x 10 g weight hanger and 50 x 10 g weights
Sp ecimen st ru ts ( al l n om i n a l s i z es):
• 6 off mild steel 20 x 3 mm, lengths 750, 700, 650, 625,
600, 550 mm
• 1 off mild steel 15 x 4 x 750 mm
• 1 off mild steel 10 x 5 x 750 mm
• 2 off 19 x 4.8 x 750 mm in brass and aluminium
SM 1005 A – s et o f t en a d d i ti on a l struts
Nett dimens io ns and w e i gh t:
800 x 310 x 15 mm, 2 kg
Pack e d d imens io ns an d w e i gh t:
Approximately 0.024 m3, 3.5 kg
Stru ts ( approximat e d i m e n s i on s)
• 3 off 20 x 550 x approximately 6 mm hardwood,
plywood and glass fibre
• 1 off 19 x 4.5 x 550 mm D-shape brass
• 1 off 13 x 6.4 x 650 mm compound mild steel strut
• 1 off 13 x 13 x 750 mm aluminium channel
• 2 off 13 x 13 x 750 mm aluminium angle (one with
special end fittings, giving limited flexibility)
• 1 off 13 x 6.4 x 650 mm rectangular mild steel
• 1 off 6.4 dia x 650 mm mild steel

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