Structural Engineering & Statics
where the load goes
Generator

The p-delta generator

Rendered here at the parameters it defaults to, with every essay that calls it — which is the same list as the blast radius of changing it.
The load that makes itself worseThe amplification of a deflection against the ratio of applied load to buckling load. A structure at half its buckling load deflects twice as far as first-order analysis predicts, and the curve runs away well before the load is reached.00.20.40.60.80246810applied load ÷ buckling load1.3×1.7×2.5×5.0×10.0×first-order analysis says the answer is always 1×one over one minus the ratio

5 essays call p-delta. The drawing above is what it returns with no arguments at all; every call below passes it something, because a placement that passes nothing draws whichever member of the family the generator happens to default to rather than the one its essay argues about.

Where it is called

Changing this generator changes every one of these figures.

5010015020000.20.40.60.811.2slenderness (effective length ÷ radius of gyration)they cross at λ = 75squashingEuler bucklingreal columns, which are neither Stability

Strong enough and still falls over

A column can fail at a fraction of the load its material could carry, by going sideways. Buckling is a failure of stability rather than of strength, and it is decided by geometry.

 K = 0.5both ends fixedK = 0.7one fixed, one pinnedK = 1both ends pinnedK = 2fixed at the base, free at the topsame column, same section, four ways of holding the endsthe load at which each buckles goes as 1 ÷ K² — a factor of sixteen across this row Stability

The ends decide the length that matters

Four columns of identical height and section, buckling at loads sixteen times apart. Nothing differs but what is holding the two ends.

 00.20.40.60.80246810applied load ÷ buckling load1.1×1.3×1.4×2.0×3.3×10.0×first-order analysis says the answer is always 1×one over one minus the ratio Stability

The load that makes itself worse

A structure that has leaned carries its weight off the axis, which makes it lean further. The amplification is one over one minus the load ratio, and it runs away long before the buckling load.

 00.0050.010.0150.020.02500.20.40.60.81lateral deflection at mid-heightload ÷ P꜀ᵣP ÷ P꜀ᵣ = 1.00, approached and never reachedinitial bow: δ₀ = 0.002 Stability

The column that was never straight

Euler's load is the load at which a perfectly straight column becomes indifferent to being bent. No column is perfectly straight, so no column ever reaches it — and the load it never reaches can still be measured.

 00.020.040.060.080.10.120.1400.20.40.60.81sag at the middle of the baywater depth ÷ critical depthλ = 1.00, approached and never reachedreversed construction camber: δ₀ = 0.01 Deflection

The water that will not run off

A flat roof deflects, the deflection makes room for water, the water deepens the deflection. It is the same equation as a buckling column, with rain in place of the axial load.

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