Authors

Toni Prahasto

Faculty of Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Diponegoro University, Indonesia

Nazaruddin Sinaga

Faculty of Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Diponegoro University, Indonesia

Ojo Kurdi

Faculty of Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Diponegoro University, Indonesia

Ismoyo Haryanto

Faculty of Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Diponegoro University, Indonesia

Aditya Daffa Pambudi

Faculty of Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Diponegoro University, Indonesia

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the Buckling strength of aluminium alloy 2024-T3 columns based on Euler’s theory and to compare the results with numerical simulations using the Finite Element Method (FEM) and experimental testing. The column lengths considered in this study are 400 mm, 450 mm, 500 mm, 550 mm, and 600 mm, with a constant cross-sectional dimension. The analysis is conducted for three Boundary Conditions, namely Pinned–Pinned, Fixed–Pinned, and Fixed–Fixed. Theoretical analysis is performed using Euler’s Buckling equation, numerical simulation is carried out using ANSYS with the BEAM188 element through eigenvalue Buckling analysis, and experimental testing is conducted using the STS12 Euler Buckling of Struts by TecQuipment apparatus. The results show that the critical Buckling load decreases with increasing column length, with the Fixed–Fixed Condition producing the highest Buckling load and the Pinned–Pinned Condition the lowest. The FEM results show good agreement with Euler’s theory, while the experimental results are slightly lower due to initial imperfections and non-ideal Boundary Conditions. The error relative to experimental results ranges from 0.84% to 8.30%. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that Euler’s theory and FEM simulation are effective approaches for predicting the Buckling behaviour of aluminium 2024-T3 columns.

Keywords

Column Buckling aluminium 2024-T3 Euler theory FEM ANSYS.

Citation of this Article

Toni Prahasto, Nazaruddin Sinaga, Ojo Kurdi, Ismoyo Haryanto, & Aditya Daffa Pambudi. (2026). Critical Buckling Load Evaluation of Aluminum Columns Based on a Comparison of Euler Theory, Experimental Testing, and Finite Element Method. Current Journal of Engineering and Science Research. 3(5), 17-24. Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.47001/CJESR/2026.305003

Licence Copyright (c) 2026 Current Journal of Engineering and Science Research. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 4.0 International Licence.

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