Final answer:
The critical point at which a column may buckle or remain undeflected under the critical buckling load, indicating neutral equilibrium, is termed the critical point. This point is crucial in structural engineering for evaluating the stability and load-bearing capacity of columns.
Step-by-step explanation:
The critical point at which a column, carrying its critical buckling load, may either buckle or remain undeflected, indicating a state of neutral equilibrium, is known as the critical point. This concept is important in the field of structural engineering, where it is essential to determine the maximum load a column can bear before it becomes unstable and buckles. A column in a state of neutral equilibrium at the critical load level will not return to its original position if it is slightly displaced; instead, it will remain in a deformed shape or could potentially continue to deform further without any increase in load. This differs from a stable equilibrium where any small displacement would return the object to its initial position.
In the context of multiple-choice answers provided, the correct answer is (c) Critical point.
Figure 15.14 illustrates examples of stable and unstable equilibrium points, which help in understanding how a structural component behaves under various conditions of equilibrium. Furthermore, as the Figure 9.15 demonstrates, neutral equilibrium involves an object being in equilibrium regardless of its displacement, which can be seen with a sphere on a flat surface or a pencil on its side for displacements perpendicular to its length.