Ranjbaran - Associate professor Department of civil engineering, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
Khosravi - M.Sc. Candidate Department of civil engineering, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
Ahmadian - M.Sc. Candidate Department of civil engineering, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
Moravej - M.Sc. Candidate Department of civil engineering, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran

A new method for computation of buckling load of non-uniform cracked columns is presented. The governing equations in the form of differential equations and boundary conditions are derived. The crack is modeled by a mass less rotational spring. Based on the principles of calculus of variations a minimization problem is defined as an alternative for the governing differential equations. Solution of this minimization problem leads to the buckling load and mode shape of the column. The concept of fractal dimension is used for detecting the position and depth of the crack, from the mode shape. Several examples solved and the method is verified.

ASOM, cracked column, minimization, fractal dimension, damage detection