COURSE NUMBER AND TITLE: AS 404 – STEEL AND TIMBER DESIGN
(Course Outcome: Design and investigate simple timber and steel structures)
Module 5: Design and Investigation of Steel Columns
Introduction
Lesson Outcomes:
At the end of the lesson, the learner shall be able to:
1. classify columns based on code requirements: short, intermediate and long
2. design an economical timber section subjected to pure axial load
3. investigate an axially loaded column for its adequacy
Lesson contents:
1. Column classification
2. Limitations on length-least dimension ratio and effective length factors to account
for buckling
3. Classification of columns based on NSCP for reduction of allowable compressive
strength
4. Design and investigation of axially loaded columns.
Structural Properties of Steel
Modulus of Elasticity, E = 200, 000 MPa
Shear Modulus: G=E/2(1+M) =77,000 MPa
Where M = Poisson’s ratio = 0.30 for steel
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion, α= 11. 25 x 10-6/C0
Yield Point and Ultimate Strength
ASTM Yield point, Fy (MPa) Ultimate strength, FU (MPa)
A-36 250 400-550
A-242 275 415
A-440 290 435
A441 315 460
Mass density of steel = 7.85 tonnes/m3 = 76.975 kN/ m3
Specific gravity = 7.85
STRUCTURAL STEEL SECTIONS AND DESIGNATIONS
1. Wide Flange –
Designation: W 530 x 219
Flange surface are parallel;
Flange thickness not necessarily equal to web thickness.
2. Bearing Pile
Designation: HP 530 x 219
Flange surface are parallel;
Flange thickness equal to web thickness.
3. American Standard – I Beam
Designation: S 530 x 219
The inner flange surface is sloped;
For W, HP, S shapes and Channels
The first number indicates the nominal height and the second number
indicates the weight per linear length
4. Channel
Designation: C 380 x 74
Standard AISC flanges have
sloped inner flange surfaces;
NOTE: For W, HP, S shapes and Channels
The first number indicates the nominal height and the second number
indicates the weight per linear length
Example: W 530 x 219 -
wide flange section of 530 mm nominal height and
219 kg/m weight per linear meter
5. Angles
Designation:
Equal legs: L 200 x 200 x 30
Unequal legs: L 200 x 150 x 25
NOTE: For Angles
The three (3) numbers indicate the height, width, and thickness.
tf
d
tw
bf tf
d = depth tw = thickness of web
bf = width of flange tf = thickness of flange
AXIALLY LOADED COLUMNS & OTHER COMPRESSION MEMBERS
Euler’s Stress
For Hinged-Ended Columns
𝜋 𝐸𝐼
𝐸𝑢𝑙𝑒𝑟 𝐶𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝐿𝑜𝑎𝑑, 𝑃
𝐿
𝜋 𝐸
𝐸𝑢𝑙𝑒𝑟 𝐶𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠, 𝐹
𝐿
𝑟
For Fixed-Ended Columns
4𝜋 𝐸𝐼
𝐸𝑢𝑙𝑒𝑟 𝐶𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝐿𝑜𝑎𝑑, 𝑃
𝐿
4𝜋 𝐸
𝐸𝑢𝑙𝑒𝑟 𝐶𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠, 𝐹
𝐿
𝑟
Where: 𝐿 𝑢𝑛𝑏𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑑 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ
𝑚𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚 𝑠𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜
Euler’s Formula determine critical loads not working loads. To obtain practical
allowable values divide the right side of the formula by the factor of safety.
When 100,
𝐸𝑢𝑙𝑒𝑟 𝑠𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑢𝑙𝑎 𝑖𝑠 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑑, 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑙𝑖𝑚𝑖𝑡 𝑖𝑠 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑛 𝑎𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠
NSCP/AISC SPECIFICATIONS
Where: 𝑚𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚 𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑠𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜
𝐾 𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟
𝐾 1.0 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑛 ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑡 𝑏𝑜𝑡ℎ 𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑠
𝐾 0.5 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝐹𝑖𝑥𝑒𝑑 𝐹𝑖𝑥𝑒𝑑
𝐾 0.7 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝐻𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑑 𝐹𝑖𝑥𝑒𝑑
When 𝐶 𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑡 𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑛
𝐹 1
. .
𝐹. 𝑆.
When 𝐶 𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑛
𝐹
Sample Problem 1.
A column with an axial load of 600 kN is unbraced about its major and minor
axis for 9 m and 3.5 m respectively. Design the column using Fa = 95.20 MPa
𝐹 ⤖ 𝐴
𝐴 6302.5 𝑚𝑚
.
From Table or Manual: Try W 250 x 58
A = 7 420 mm2 ; rx = 108 mm ; ry = 50.4 mm
𝐿 9000
83.33
𝑟 108
𝐿 3500
69.44
𝑟 50.4
Design the column using: 𝐹 119 .0.0034
𝐹 119 .0.0034 83.33 95.39 𝑀𝑃𝑎
𝑃 𝐹𝐴 95.39 7 420 707 793.8 𝑁 707.8 𝑘𝑁
600 𝑘𝑁 Adequate
Sample Problem 2:
Design a column section using W section to carry an axial load of 360 kN. The
length is 6 m. use Euler’s Formula with a factor of safety 3 and proportional limit of 200
MPa.
E = 200 x 103 MPa. End conditions – both ends are hinged.
Solution:
Euler’s Formula for Critical Load ,
𝑃 360 𝑃 1 080 𝑘𝑁 1 080 000 𝑁
Solve I from : 𝐸𝑢𝑙𝑒𝑟 𝐶𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝐿𝑜𝑎𝑑, 𝑃
1 080 000
𝐼 19 696 838.1 𝑚𝑚
from 100
let 100
𝑟 60 𝑚𝑚
CRITERIA:
From the table find I greater (>)than 19 696 838.1 𝑚𝑚
and r less than (< ) 60 𝑚𝑚
From table: Try W 250 x 67 , I = 104 x 106 mm, ry = 51.0 mm , A = 8 550 mm2
117.65 100
Based on Proportional Limit
𝐴 5 400 𝑚𝑚
. .
FOR FINAL SELECTION OF A SECTION
From table, Select a W section with area greater than 5 400 𝑚𝑚 and
r greater than 60
Try W 310 x 79 , I = 39.9 x 106 mm, ry = 63.0 mm , A = 10 100 mm2
W 250 x 73 , I = 39.9 x 106 mm, ry = 64.6 mm , A = 9 280 mm2
Check for Proportional Limit, PL
User the lightest section, W 250 x 73
𝑃. 𝐿. 116.40 𝑀𝑃𝑎 200 𝑀𝑃𝑎
Use W 250 x 73
Sample Problem 3:
A structural steel column with Fy = 250 MPa having an unbraced length of 3 m
is to carry a load of 1 800 kN. E = 200 GPa. Design the most economical wife flange
section for the given load. The column is hinged at both ends.
Use NSCP Provision for axially-loaded columns.
Solution:
𝐶 125.66
For first trial: assume L/r = 0
Compute a factor of safety F.S.; K =1.0
𝐹. 𝑆. 1.67
𝐹 1 149.70 𝑀𝑃𝑎
. . . . .
𝐹 149.70 𝑁/𝑚𝑚
.
Since there will be a reduction of compressive stress, Assume 60% -
80% of the stress computed above.
Assume 60%, 𝐹 0.60 149.70 𝑁/𝑚𝑚 ; where P = 1 800 kN
.
𝐴 20 040.08 𝑚𝑚
. . /
From the table of W shapes, select the section with an area nearer to the
computed area above. List the Moment of Inertia I and radius of
gyration r
Section Area Ix rx Iy ry
mm2 x 106 mm2 mm x 106 mm2 mm
W 250 x 167 21 300 300 119 98.8 68.1
W 310 x 179 22 800 445 140 144 79.5
W 360 x 179 22800 575 159 207 95.2
W 310 x 158
Using W 250 x 167 section:
.
44.05 𝐶 125.66 ⤖ short column
68.1
use 𝐹 1 and 𝐹. 𝑆.
. .
𝐾𝐿 𝐾𝐿
5 3 5 3 44.05 44.05
𝐹. 𝑆. 𝑟 𝑟 1.79
3 8𝐶 8𝐶 3 8 125.66 8 125.66
𝐾𝐿
𝑟 𝐹 44.05 250
𝐹 1 1 131.08 𝑀𝑃𝑎
2𝐶 𝐹. 𝑆. 2 125.66 1.79
𝑃
𝐹 131.08 𝑁/𝑚𝑚
𝐴.
𝑃 21 300 𝑚𝑚 131.08 𝑁/𝑚𝑚 2 792 004 𝑁 2 792.004 𝑘𝑁 1 800 kN
ADEQUATE
