AXIALLY LOADED COMPRESSION MEMBERS
Structural members subjected to axial compressive loads are often called by names identifying their functions. Of
these, the best-known are columns, the main vertical compression members in a building frame. Other common
compression members include chords in trusses and bracing members in frames.
For building columns, W-shape having a nominal depths of 350 mm or less are commonly used. These sections,
being rather square in shape, are more efficient than others for carrying compressive loads: (Deeper sections are more
efficient in beams).
Three types of Columns
Short Columns
Short columns fail by crushing at very high stress levels that are above the elastic limit of the column material. For
very short columns, the failure stress will equal the yield stress and no buckling will occur.
Intermediate Columns
For intermediate columns, some of the fibers will reach the yield stress and some will not. The members will fail by
both yielding and buckling, and their behavior is said to be inelastic. Most columns fall into this range
Long Columns
Long columns fall by buckling at stress levels that are below the elastic range limit of the column material. The Euler
formula predicts very well the strength of long columns where the axial buckling stress remains below the proportional
limit. Such columns will buckle elastically.
The longer a column becomes for the same cross-section, the greater becomes its tendency to buckle and the
smaller becomes the load it will support. The tendency of a member to buckle is usually measured by its slenderness
ratio, which has previously been defined as the ratio of the length of the member to its least radius of gyration.
EULER'S COLUMN BUCKLING THEORY
EULER'S COLUMN BUCKLING THEORY
A theoretical analysis of the critical load for long columns was made by the great Swiss mathematician Leonhard
Euler in 1757. His analysis based on the differential equation of the elastic curve. As we know now, such an analysis is
valid only up to the stress to the proportional limit.
If the column is hinged at both ends, the Euler critical load is:
π 2 EI
Pc ＝ ―――
L2
and the Euler critical stress is:
π2 E
Fc ＝ ――
⎛ L ⎞2
⎜―⎟
⎝r⎠
Effective Length
Real columns do not have pin-connected ends. The restraints placed on a column's ends greatly affect its stability.
To counter these effects, an effective length factor 'K' is used to modify the unbraced length. The product 'KL' is called
the effective length of the column. This length approximates the length over which the column actually buckles and this
may be shorter or longer than actual unbraced length.
Slenderness Ratio
Slenderness Ratio
The effective slenderness ratio of compression members is calculated as:
KL
SR ＝ ――
r
Sample Problem-1: A W250 x 80 is used as a pin-connected column. Determine the column's critical or buckling load
if the column length is :
a) 6.5 m
b) 4.5 m
Properties of W250 x 80
A ＝ 10200 mm 2 rx ＝ 111 mm ry ＝ 65 mm
Assume that the steel has a proportional limit of 248 MPa.
SOLUTION:
Modulus of elasticity of steel, E ＝ 200 GPa
Proportional limit of steel, Fp ＝ 248 MPa
Since there is no lateral support, use the minimum value of r ( radius of gyration )
r ＝ 65 mm
The column is pinned at both ends,
Part a:
L ＝ 6.5 m ＝ 6500 mm
L 1.0 ((6500))
SR ＝ ―＝ ―――― ＝ 100
r 65
Critical buckling stress (Euler critical stress )
π 2 E π 2 ((200000))
Fc ＝ ――＝ ―――――
⎛ L ⎞2 ((100)) 2
⎜―⎟
⎝r⎠
Fc ＝ 197.39 MPa
Fc < Fp Okay, the column is in elastic range
Buckling (elastic) load:
Pc ＝ Fc ⋅ A
Pc ＝ 197.39 ((10200))
Pc ＝ 2013398.4 N
Pc ＝ 2013.4 kN ((Answer))
Part b:
L ＝ 4.5 m ＝ 4500 mm
L 4500
SR ＝ ―＝ ――＝ 69.23
r 65
Critical buckling stress (Euler critical stress )
π2 E
Fc ＝ ――
⎛ L ⎞2
⎜―⎟
⎝r⎠
2
π ((200000))
Fc ＝ ―――――
((69.23)) 2
Fc ＝ 411.84 MPa
Fc > Fp Not okay, column is in elastic range, Euler equation is not applicable
Early researchers soon found that Euler's equation did not give reliable results for stock, or less slender, compression
members. The reason is that the small slenderness ratio for members of this type causes a large buckling stress. If the
stress at which buckling occurs is greater than the proportional limit of the material, the relation between stress and
strain is not linear, and the modulus of elasticity ' E ' can no longer be used.
Stress and strain diagram ( Steel Design 5th Ed. Segui)
For any material, the critical buckling stress can be plotted as a function of slenderness, as shown in figure below.
The tangent modulus curve is tangent to the Euler curve at the point corresponding to the proportional limit of the
material.
Et
Stress and slenderness diagram ( Steel Design 5th Ed. Segui)
‾‾‾
E
Et ＝ 4.71 ― ( to counter the inconsistency value of Et )
Fy
Based on NSCP 2015
DESIGN OF MEMBERS FOR COMPRESSION
According to Section 505, the design compressive strength and the allowable compressive strength are determined
as follows:
The nominal compressive strength, Pn shall be the lowest value obtained according to the limit states of flexural
buckling, torsional buckling, and flexural-torsional buckling.
1. For doubly symmetric and singly symmetric members the limit state of flexural buckling is applicable.
2. For singly symmetric and unsymmetric members, and certain doubly symmetric members, such as cruciform or
built-up columns, the limit states of torsional or flexural-torsional buckling are also applicable.
ϕc ＝ 0.90 ( LRFD ) Ωc ＝ 1.67 ( ASD )
where:
L = Laterally unbraced length of the member, mm
r = governing radius of gyration, mm
K = effective length factor
For members designed on the basis of compression, the slenderness ratio KL/r preferably should not exceed 200.
KL
―― ≤ 200
r
Compressive Strength for Flexural Buckling of Members Without Slender Elements (505.3)
For compression members with compact and noncompact sections, the nominal compressive strength, Pn shall be
determined based on the limit state of flexural buckling.
Pn ＝ Fcr ⋅ Ag
The flexural buckling stress, Fcr is determined as follows:
KL ‾‾‾
E
1. when ―― ≤ 4.71 ― ( or Fe ≥ 0.44 Fy )
r Fy
⎛ Fy ⎞
――
Fcr ＝ ⎝0.658 e ⎟⎠ ⎛⎝Fy⎞⎠
⎜ F
KL ‾‾‾
E
2. when ―― > 4.71 ― ( or Fe < 0.44 Fy )
r Fy
Fcr ＝ 0.877 Fe
where:
Fe = elastic critical buckling stress determined as:
π2 E
Fe ＝ ―――
⎛ KL ⎞ 2
⎜―― ⎟
⎝ r ⎠
Sample Problem-2: A W360x110 of A992 steel has a length of 6 meters and pinned ends. Compute the design
compressive strength and the allowable compressive strength.
Properties of W360x110
Ag ＝ 14065 mm 2 Ix ＝ 331.32 ⋅ 10 6 mm 4 Iy ＝ 55.78 ⋅ 10 6 mm 4
SOLUTION:
L ＝ 6 m ＝ 6000 mm E ＝ 200 GPa Fy ＝ 345 MPa ( A992 steel )
‾‾‾
Ix ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
331.32 ⋅ 10 6 ‾‾‾
Iy ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
55.78 ⋅ 10 6
rx ＝ ―＝ ―――― ry ＝ ―＝ ――――
A 14065 A 14065
rx ＝ 153.48 mm ry ＝ 62.98 mm ( governs )
K ＝ 1.0 since it is pinned-ends
KL 1 ((6000))
―― ＝ ―――
r 62.98
KL
―― ＝ 95.27
r
KL
―― ≤ 200 ( Okay )
r
‾‾‾
E ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
200000
4.71 ― ＝ 4.71 ――― ＝ 113.40
Fy 345
KL ‾‾‾
E
―― ≤ 4.71 ― Use condition 1 in section 505.7
r Fy
⎛ Fy ⎞
――
⎜ Fe ⎟
Fcr ＝ ⎝0.658 ⎠ ⋅ Fy
π2 E
Fe ＝ ―――
⎛ KL ⎞ 2
⎜―― ⎟
⎝ r ⎠
2
π ((200000))
Fe ＝ ―――――
((95.27)) 2
Fe ＝ 217.48 MPa
⎛ 345 ⎞
―――
⎜
Fcr ＝ ⎝0.658
217.48 ⎟
⎠ ((345))
Fcr ＝ 177.61 MPa
Pn ＝ Fcr ⋅ Ag
Pn ＝ 177.61 ((14065))
Pn ＝ 2498084.65 N
Pn ＝ 2498.08 kN
ϕ ＝ 0.90 Ω ＝ 1.67
Pn
Pu ＝ ϕPn Pa ＝ ――
Ω
2498.08
Pu ＝ 0.90 ((2498.08)) Pa ＝ ―――
1.67
Pu ＝ 2248.27 kN ((Answer)) Pa ＝ 1495.85 kN ((Answer))
Sample Problem-3: Given the following properties of angular sections:
One angle 100m by 100m by 16 mm
Ag ＝ 2974 mm 2 rx ＝ 30.5 mm rz ＝ 20 mm
Fy ＝ 345 MPa ry ＝ 30.5 mm
It used as a pinned-connected column
a) Determine the allowable compressive strength (in kN) given that the length of the column is 4.5 m.
b) Determine the design compressive strength (in kN) given that the length of the column is 2.2 m
c) Determine the maximum length of the column if it is to be designed on the basis of compression
SOLUTION:
Part a:
K ＝ 1.0 L ＝ 4.5 m ＝ 4500 mm
r ＝ rz ＝ 20 mm
KL 1 ((4500))
―― ＝ ―――＝ 225 ( Not ok! )
r 20
KL
―― ≤ 200
r
KL
use ―― ＝ 200
r
‾‾‾
E ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
200000
4.71 ― ＝ 4.71 ――― ＝ 113.4
Fy 345
KL ‾‾‾
E
―― > 4.71 ― Use condition 2 in section 505.7
r Fy
Fcr ＝ 0.877 Fe
π2 E
Fe ＝ ―――
⎛ KL ⎞ 2
⎜―― ⎟
⎝ r ⎠
π 2 ((200000))
Fe ＝ ―――――
((200)) 2
Fe ＝ 49.34 MPa
Fe ＝ 49.34 MPa
Fcr ＝ 0.877 Fe
Fcr ＝ 0.877 ((49.34))
Fcr ＝ 43.27 MPa
Pn ＝ Fcr ⋅ Ag
⎛ 1 kN ⎞
Pn ＝ 43.27 ((2974)) ⎜――― ⎟
⎝ 1000 N ⎠
Pn ＝ 128.68 kN
Pn
Pa ＝ ――
Ω
128.68
Pa ＝ ―――
1.67
Pa ＝ 77.05 kN ((Answer))
Part b:
K ＝ 1.0 L ＝ 2.2 m ＝ 2200 mm
r ＝ rz ＝ 20 mm
KL 1 ((2200))
―― ＝ ―――＝ 110
r 20
‾‾‾
E ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
200000
4.71 ― ＝ 4.71 ――― ＝ 113.4
Fy 345
KL ‾‾‾
E
―― ≤ 4.71 ― Use condition 1 in section 505.7
r Fy
⎛ Fy ⎞
――
Fcr ＝ ⎝0.658 e ⎟⎠ ⎛⎝Fy⎞⎠
⎜ F
π2 E
Fe ＝ ―――
⎛ KL ⎞ 2
⎜―― ⎟
⎝ r ⎠
2
π ((200000))
Fe ＝ ―――――
((110)) 2
Fe ＝ 163.13 MPa
⎛ 345 ⎞
―――
⎜
Fcr ＝ ⎝0.658
163.13 ⎟
⎠ ((345))
Fcr ＝ 142.36 MPa
Pn ＝ Fcr ⋅ Ag
⎛ 1 kN ⎞
Pn ＝ 142.36 ((2974)) ⎜――― ⎟
⎝ 1000 N ⎠
Pn ＝ 423.38 kN
Pu ＝ ϕPn
Pu ＝ 0.90 ((423.38))
Pu ＝ 381.04 kN ((Answer))
Part c:
KL
―― ＝ 200
r
1 ((L))
――＝ 200
20
L ＝ 4000 mm
L ＝ 4 m ((Answer))
Sample Problem-4: A W310 x 415 column is pin supported at the top and fixed at the bottom and it is laterally
supported at its weak axis at L/2. The column length L = 12 m and carries an axial dead load of 2000 kN.
Fy ＝ 250 MPa .
Properties of W310 x 415:
bf ＝ 334 mm tw ＝ 39 mm rx ＝ 156.96 mm A ＝ 53516 mm 2
tf ＝ 63 mm d ＝ 404 mm ry ＝ 86.33 mm
a) Determine the design axial live load of the column using NSCP 2015
b) Determine the allowable axial live load of the column using NSCP 2015
SOLUTION:
Determine the maximum slenderness ratio first
since it will give the smallest stress.
For y - axis (or the weak axis ), it has two
slenderness ratio with respect to y - axis since
it is braced or has a lateral support
NOTE: The effect of lateral support or bracing
is assumed to be hinge or pin support.
For bottom part, K=0.7 since it is fixed from
the bottom and bracing is consider as pin
support.
L 12
Lu ＝ ―＝ ―＝ 6 m
2 2
Lu ＝ 6000 mm
KLu
SRybot ＝ ――
ry
0.7 ((6000))
SRybot ＝ ――――
86.33
SRybot ＝ 48.65
For upper part, K=1.0 since bracing is
consider as pin support and the upper part is
pin also.
L 12
Lu ＝ ―＝ ―＝ 6 m
2 2
L 12
Lu ＝ ―＝ ―＝ 6 m
2 2
Lu ＝ 6000 mm
KLu
SRytop ＝ ――
ry
1 ((6000))
SRytop ＝ ―――
86.33
SRytop ＝ 69.5
For x - axis (or the strong axis ), bracing is excluded and full length is used.
K=0.7 since the topmost connection is pin and the bottommost connection is fixed.
L ＝ 12 m ＝ 12000 mm
KL
SRx ＝ ――
rx
0.7 ((12000))
SRx ＝ ――――
156.96
SRx ＝ 53.52
SRmax ＝ Sytop ＝ 69.5
Part a:
KL
―― ＝ 69.5
r
‾‾‾
E ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
200000
4.71 ― ＝ 4.71 ――― ＝ 133.22
Fy 250
KL ‾‾‾
E
―― ≤ 4.71 ― Use condition 1 in section 505.7
r Fy
⎛ Fy ⎞
――
Fcr ＝ ⎝0.658 e ⎟⎠ ⎛⎝Fy⎞⎠
⎜ F
π2 E
Fe ＝ ―――
⎛ KL ⎞ 2
⎜―― ⎟
⎝ r ⎠
π 2 ((200000))
Fe ＝ ―――――
((69.5)) 2
Fe ＝ 408.66 MPa
⎛ 250 ⎞
―――
⎜
Fcr ＝ ⎝0.658
408.66 ⎟
⎠ ((250))
Fcr ＝ 193.53 MPa
Pn ＝ Fcr ⋅ Ag
⎛ 1 kN ⎞
Pn ＝ 193.53 ((53516)) ⎜――― ⎟
⎝ 1000 N ⎠
Pn ＝ 10356.95 kN
Pn
Pa ＝ ―― Ω ＝ 1.67
Ω
10356.95
Pa ＝ ―――
1.67
Pa ＝ 6201.76
Pa ＝ PDL + PLL LOAD COMBINATION for ASD-NSCP 2015
PDL ＝ 2000 kN
6201.76 ＝ 2000 + PLL
PLL ＝ 4201.76 kN ((Answer))
Part b:
Pu ＝ ϕPn
Pu ＝ 0.9 ((10356.95))
Pu ＝ 9321.26 kN
Pu ＝ 1.2 PDL + 1.6 PLL
9321.26 ＝ 1.2 ((2000)) + 1.6 PLL LOAD COMBINATION for LRFD-NSCP 2015
PLL ＝ 4325.79 kN ((Answer))
PLL ＝ 4325.79 kN
