Buckling of an elastic column containing a fatigue crack

Results of an experimental program conducted in order to study the residual buckling strength of an elastic column containing a fatigue crack are presented in this paper. Tests were performed on bars of rectangular cross section, made from 2024-T351 aluminum-alloy plate and containing a fatigue crack at the midsection. Results obtained show a reduction in buckling strength of 8 percent under highed-highed end conditions, in apparent tentative accord with data obtained from columns containing machined notches. Although it is small, the reduction in buckling strength is thought to be significant for design and requires further investigation.