function Pcr = beamPcr(A,I,Leff,E,Sy) % beamPcr Critical load for buckling of a beam under axial compression % ME 352 Fall 2008, Problem Set #2, Problem 8 % % Synpopsis: Pcr = beamPcr(A,I,Leff,E,Sy) % % Input: A = area of cross section % I = moment of inertia of the cross section % Leff = effective length of the beam % E = elastic modulus of the beam material % Sy = yield stress of the beam material % % Output: Pcr = critical load for buckling. If load exceeds Pcr the % beam will buckle Sr = Leff/sqrt(I/A); % slenderness ratio if Sr > pi*sqrt(2*E/Sy) Pcr = pi^2 * A*E/Sr^2; else Pcr = A*(Sy - (1/E)*(Sy*Sr/(2*pi))^2 ); end