Question

Which of the following is true?

(a) increasing member length causes reduction in stiffness

(b) decreasing member length causes reduction in stiffness

(c) member with high stiffness will buckle early than that with low stiffness

(d) stiffness of member is not influenced by amount and distribution of material in cross section of column

I have been asked this question by my school principal while I was bunking the class.

The doubt is from Elastic Buckling of Slender & Built-up Compression Members in chapter Design of Compression Members of Design of Steel Structures

Answer 1

The correct answer is (a) increasing member length causes reduction in stiffness

The best I can explain: Member with low stiffness will buckle early than that the one with high stiffness. Increasing member length causes reduction in stiffness. Stiffness of member is influenced by amount and distribution of material in cross section of column, the value of radius of gyration reflects the way in which material is distributed.