Design of Compression Members

Chapter 03 C

1 Tuesday, July 23, 2024

 Example 3.1
Design a truss compression member using the
following three given cross-sectional shapes:
1. 2Ls with 10 mm thick gusset plate and snug
tight bolted stay plates.
2. Single angle connected through longer leg.
3. W-section.
The other data is as under:
PD = 110 kN ; PL = 140 kN
L = 3.4 m ; A36 Steel
2 Tuesday, July 23, 2024
 Solution:
For truss members, K=1
Lu=L as there is no bracing between the joints
Pu= 1.2PD +1.6PL
Pu= 1.2 x 110 +1.6 x 140 = 356 kN
1- Double Angles

3 Tuesday, July 23, 2024

Tuesday, July 23, 2024 4
A. The section will be economical if it has nearly
same slenderness ratio in both directions. This
means that rx and ry should be nearly same (as the
length for both directions is equal).
B. The radius of gyration, rx, for the double section
will be same as that for a single section.
C. The radius of gyration, ry, for the double section
will be considerably higher than for a single
section.
D. From the above facts it is clear that, to make r
same in both directions, unequal leg angles are to
Tuesday, July 23, 2024
5
be used with their longer legs connected together.
E. The projecting leg should be relatively smaller.
Pu = 356 kN : KLu = 3.4 m

Rass = 90

(ØcFcr)ass = 146.46 MPa

Pu 356  1000
Areq for 2 Ls    2431 mm 2

c Fcr ass 146.46

6 Tuesday, July 23, 2024
 Areq for single Angle = 1216 mm2

Asel ≈ Areq
Select section Minimum weight section
b ≥ bmin

bmin = 3.25d + 18 or 2.5d + 16

= 75 mm (assuming d = 15 mm)
7
L/40 = 85 mm (not fully applicable here)
Tuesday, July 23, 2024
 Different options available are:
1. 2L 89 x 89 x 7.9 A = 2700 mm2
2. 2L 102 x 76 x 7.9 A = 2700 mm2
3. 2L 102 x 76 x 9.5 A = 3200 mm2

Note: Anyone out of the first two options may be

tried first. However, calculations show that these
sections are not sufficient with only the third
section closer to the requirements. The number of
trials may be reduced by using the column
8
selection tables. Tuesday, July 23, 2024
 Using the double angles selection tables of
Design Aids for Pu= 356 kN, KxLx = KyLy = 3.4 m
and stay plates with fully tensioned bolts,
following options are available:
Section ØcPn (kN) KL (m) Area
(mm2)
2Ls 102 x 76 x 452.8 KxLx = 3.0 3206
9.5
382.7 KxLx = 3.5
396.7 KxLx = 3.4 by
interpolation
448.8 KyLy = 3.0
377.8 KyLy = 3.5
9 Tuesday, July 23, 2024
392.0 KyLy = 3.4 by
 Using the double angles selection tables of
Design Aids for Pu= 356 kN, KxLx = KyLy = 3.4 m
and stay plates with fully tensioned bolts,
following options are available:
Section ØcPn (kN) KL (m) Area
(mm2)
2Ls 102 x 89 x 482.9 KxLx = 3.0 3445
9.5
407.0 KxLx = 3.5
422.2 KxLx = 3.4 by
interpolation
555.5 KyLy = 3.0
492.2 KyLy = 3.5
10 Tuesday, July 23, 2024
504.9 KyLy = 3.4 by
 1

11 Tuesday, July 23, 2024

 1

12 Tuesday, July 23, 2024

 Hence, keeping in view the above values for fully
tight stay plates, trial section for snug tight stay
plates may be 2Ls 102 x 76 x 9.5. However,
considering snug tight stay plates, 2Ls 102 x 89 x
9.5 may ultimately be the final result.
Trial Section1: 2L 102 x 76 x 9.5 A= 2 x 1600 mm2
Long legs back-to-back, connected to the gusset plate.

b = 102 mm > bmin OK

Longer leg is connected.
13 Tuesday, July 23, 2024
 b 102
   10.7  r r  12.7
t 9.50
OK

rx = 32.0 mm as for single angle

Using Design Aids:

b = 2 x 76 + 10 = 162 mm
(ry)appr = b(0.19 +s/1270)
= 162 x (0.19 + 10/1270) = 32.06 mm
14 Tuesday, July 23, 2024
 K x Lux 1 3400
  107
rx 32.0

K y Luy 1 3400
  106.05
ry 32.06

Although rx is lesser than ry, the column may

buckle about y-axis if modified slenderness ratio
in y-direction exceeds KxLux/rx.

15 Tuesday, July 23, 2024

 Assume that snug tight bolts connect stay plates
and gusset plates.
Using 75 mm long stay plates and treating ‘a’ as
the clear distance between the stay plates and/or
gusset plates, the c/c spacing of stay plates will
be a+75 mm.

16 Tuesday, July 23, 2024

Selection of Stay Plates Spacing
a/ri = 0.75 x larger of KxLux/rx & KyLuy/ry
= 0.75 x (107) = 80.25
ri = rz = 16.4 mm
amax = 80.25 x 16.4/1000
= 1.316 m
For 75 mm long stay plates
Number of spaces between stay plates =
3400/(1316+75)
= 2.45 (say 3
Tuesday, July 23, 2024
17
spaces)
Number of stay plates = 2
a = (3400/3)-75 = 1058 mm
Note: Number of stay plates may not generally
exceed three.
a/ri = 1058/16.4 = 64.53

For snug tight 

K y Luyplates:
   106.052  64.532  125
 ry 
 m

18 Tuesday, July 23, 2024

 R = larger of KxLux/rx & modified KyLuy/ry = 125

Maximum Slenderness Ratio Check

R ≤ 200 OK

Capacity Check
From table of Design Aids: ØcFcr=98.28 MPa

19 Tuesday, July 23, 2024

 Øc Fcr Asel =98.28 x 2 x 1600/1000=314.50 kN
< Pu=356 kN
NG

Trial Section: 2L 102 x 89 x 9.5 A= 2 x 1720

mm2
Long legs back-to-back, connected to the gusset
plate.

b = 102 mm > bmin OK

20 Tuesday, July 23, 2024
Longer leg is connected.
 b 102
   10.7  r r  12.7
OK t 9 . 50

rx = 31.8 mm as for single angle

Using Design Aids:

b = 2 x 89 + 10 = 188 mm
(ry)appr = b(0.19 +s/1270)
= 188 x (0.19 + 10/1270) = 37.2 mm
Exact calculation for ry (to be made only for the last
21 Tuesday, July 23, 2024
trial):
Iy  2  123 10 4
 1720  (24.3  5)   541.3 10 mm
2 4 4

541.3 10 4
r  y exact   39.7 mm
2 1720

K x Lux 1 3400
  107
rx 31.8

K y Luy 1 3400
  85.64
ry 39.7

22 Tuesday, July 23, 2024

 Using 75 mm long stay plates and treating ‘a’ as
the clear distance between the stay plates and/or
gusset plates, the c/c spacing of stay plates will
be a+75 mm.

23 Tuesday, July 23, 2024

Selection of Stay Plates Spacing
a/ri = 0.75 x larger of KxLux/rx & KyLuy/ry
= 0.75 x (107) = 80.25
ri = rz = 18.5 mm
amax = 80.25 x 18.5/1000
= 1.485 m
For 75 mm long stay plates
Number of spaces between stay plates =
3400/(1485+75)
= 2.18 (say 3
Tuesday, July 23, 2024
24
spaces)
Number of stay plates = 2

a = (3400/3)-75 = 1058 mm

a/ri = 1058/18.5 = 57.19

For snug tight plates:

 K y Luy 
   85.64 2  57.19 2  103
 r 
 y m
25 Tuesday, July 23, 2024
 For fully tightened bolts or welds, appropriate
formula for the modified slenderness ratio must be
used.
R = larger of KxLux/rx & modified KyLuy/ry = 107

Maximum Slenderness Ratio Check

R ≤ 200 OK

Capacity Check
From table of Design Aids: ØcFcr=122.63 MPa
26 Tuesday, July 23, 2024
 Øc Fcr Asel =122.63 x 2 x 1720/1000=421.63 kN
> Pu=356 kN
OK

Final Selection: 2Ls 102 x 89 x 9.5

27 Tuesday, July 23, 2024

2- Single Angle Connected Through Longer Leg
 It is almost impossible to load such members
concentrically due to the fact that only one leg is
generally connected with the gusset plate.
 Theoretically, concentric loading could only be
applied by milling the ends of an angle and
loading it through bearing plates (Figure 3.20).
 In practice, the actual eccentricity of loading is
relatively large and neglecting it in design may
lead to a dangerously under-designed member.
28 Tuesday, July 23, 2024
 Further single angle can undergo lateral torsional
buckling.
 Separate AISC provisions are applicable for such
design.
 The procedure used in this example is applicable
for single angles with eccentricity expected in a
planar truss.
 Equal leg angles are generally preferred for
single angle columns in case the two effective
lengths KxLx and KyLy are equal.
 However, unequal leg angles may also be used if
29 Tuesday, July 23, 2024
the resulting section comes out to be economical.
 The selection can also be made using the single
angle section column selection tables.

30 Tuesday, July 23, 2024

 Pu = 356 kN

Rass = 125

(ØcFcr)ass = 98.28 MPa

356000
Areq   3623 mm 2
98.28

31 Tuesday, July 23, 2024

 Asel ≈ Areq
Select section Minimum weight section
b ≥ bmin = 75 mm
Equal legs will be preferred as K xLx and KyLy are
equal.
Trial Section:
L 152 x 152 x 12.70, rz = 30 mm, ry = 47.2 mm
A = 3710 mm2
32 b = 152 > bmin Ok
Tuesday, July 23, 2024
 b 152
   11 .98  r  12.7 Ok
t 12.70

KL 3400
  114
rz 30

L 3400
  72.03  80
ry 47.2
KL L
 72  0.75  72  0.75  72.03  126
r ry

33
R  126  200 Ok Tuesday, July 23, 2024
 c Fcr  96.98 MPa

c Fcr Asel  96.98  3710 1000  359.80 kN  356 kN Ok

Loading cycles are lesser than 20,000.

Final Selection: L 152 x 152 x 12.7

34 Tuesday, July 23, 2024

3 W-Section
Pu = 356 kN

Rass = 90

(ØcFcr)ass = 146.46 MPa

356000
Areq   2431 mm 2
146.46

35 Tuesday, July 23, 2024

 Asel ≈ Areq
Select section Minimum weight section
b ≥ bmin = 75 mm
d ≤ 360mm

Using the W-shape selection table of Design Aids

for Pu = 356 kN, KyLy = 3.4 m, following option
is obtained, giving ØcPn ≈ 412 kN:
36 Tuesday, July 23, 2024
Trial Section: W 150 x 22.5
(KyLy)eq = 3.4/1.75 = 1.94 m (not critical)
rx = 65; ry = 37.1 mm; A = 2860 mm2

bf 152
  76 mm  bmin Ok
2 2

bf
  11 .5  r  15.8 Ok
2t f

h
   21.6  r  42.1 Ok
tw
37 Tuesday, July 23, 2024
 KL 3400
R   92  200 Ok
rmin 37.1

c Fcr  143.66 MPa

c Fcr Asel  143.66  2860 1000  411 kN  356 kN Ok

Final Section: W 150 x 22.5

38 Tuesday, July 23, 2024

Example 3.2: Members under Stress Reversal
Design a bridge truss compression member
(K=1) that is 3.5m long.
PD= 80 kN (C),
PL= 270 kN (C),
TL= 270 kN (T).
Select following two types of sections:
i) 2Ls with 15 mm thick gusset plate, welded
connections but snug bolted stay plates.
39
ii) W-section, welded connections. Tuesday, July 23, 2024
Solution:
Pu= 1.2PD + 1.6PL = 1.2 x 80 + 1.6 x 270 = 528
kN
Tu=-1.2PD + 1.6TL =-1.2 x 80 + 1.6 x 270 = 336
kN

Pu > Tu Design as compression member for

Pu and then check as tension member for T u.

40 Tuesday, July 23, 2024

 Complete the Example Yourself

41 Tuesday, July 23, 2024

EQUAL STRENGTH COLUMN
Equal strength column is defined as a column
having same critical buckling strength along both
strong and weak axes.
In other words, for an equal strength column,
KL/r ratio along both the axes should
approximately be the same.
The material of the column is used more
efficiently if this criterion is satisfied which
results in the more economical column design.

42 Tuesday, July 23, 2024

 K x Lx K y L y

rx ry
rx K x Lx

ry K y Ly

For an equal strength column, ratio of radii of

gyration in the two directions should be equal to
the ratio of effective length in the two directions.
Bracing is provided in such a way that the above
equation is approximately satisfied.
The ratio rx/ry is the main criterion for design of
43 bracing. Tuesday, July 23, 2024
 Knowing KxLx and rx/ry ratio, the required
effective un-braced length along y-axis may be
determined as follows:
K x Lx
K y Ly 
rx ry

Based on the above information, the LRFD

Specifications provides a method with which a
W-section can be selected from the column
selection tables with little trial and error when the
un-braced lengths in the two directions are
known/decided earlier.
44 Tuesday, July 23, 2024
 The designer enters the appropriate table with
KyLy, selects a section, takes the rx/ry value given
at the bottom of the table for that shape, and
calculates (KyLy)eq as follows:
K L 
y y eq 
K x Lx
rx ry

If (KyLy)eq is greater than KyLy, buckling is

expected about x-axis and the designer will re-
enter the table with (KyLy)eq and will select the
final selection.
45 Tuesday, July 23, 2024
Example 3.3
A 9 m long column in a frame structure is to
resist an axial factored compressive load of 1600
kN. Assume the bottom end of the column to be
pinned and the top end to be fixed in both
directions. The column is braced at its third
points along weak axis.
Assume that there is no sidesway between the top
and bottom points. Design a wide flange section
using A36 steel and AISC Specifications.

46 Tuesday, July 23, 2024

Solution:
Buckling of the column with
braces results in rotation of the
main member at the brace points
and lateral bracing does not
prevent this rotation.
Hence, brace point may be
considered just like a hinge for
that direction (Figure 3.22).
However, lateral translation or
sway of the brace point is almost Figure 3.22 Buckling of
zero. Column along weak axis

47 Tuesday, July 23, 2024

 L/3

(a) Top Half Column Buckles in Weak Direction

48 Tuesday, July 23, 2024

 L/3

(a) Top Half Column Buckles in Weak Direction

L/3

(a) Middle & Bottom Column Buckling in Weak Direction

49 Tuesday, July 23, 2024

 Lu= 9 m

(c) Column Buckling in Major Axis Direction

50 Effective Lengths for Buckling of Column Tuesday, July 23, 2024

 Pu = 1600 kN

Rass = 90

ØcFcr = 146.46 Mpa

Pu 1600  1000
Areq    10,925 mm 2
c Fcr 146.46

Ky = 0.8 for top portion (Figure 3.23 (a))

Ky = 1.0 for bottom portion (Figure 3.23 (b)) Critical
51 Tuesday, July 23, 2024
 Further, AISC Specifications recommends K =
1.0 for braced columns.
Kx = 0.8 (figure 3.23c) Use Kx = 1.0

KyLuy = 1.0 x 9/3 = 3.0 m

KxLx = 1.0 x 9 = 9.0 m
K x Lx 9
 3
K y Ly 3
Hence rx/ry of the selected section closer to 3.0
52
will be preferred. Tuesday, July 23, 2024
Following options are available:
1. W 360x72 A = 9,100 mm2 rx/ry = 3.06
2. W 360x91 A = 11,500 mm2 rx/ry = 2.44
3. W 310x86 A = 11,000 mm2 rx/ry = 2.10
4. W 310x97 A = 12,323 mm2 rx/ry = 1.75
5. W 200x86 A = 11,000 mm2 rx/ry = 1.74
The first option has area less than the assumed
required value but rx/ry is close to 3.0.
This may be tried as first option. The other
53 options, although have greater area, may
Tuesday,fail.
July 23, 2024
Trial Section: W 360x72
A = 9,100 mm2 rx= 149 mm ry= 48.5 mm

bf
  6.7  r  15.8 Ok
2t f
h
   33.5  r  42.1 Ok
tw

K y luy 3000
  62  Critical
ry 48.5
K x lux 9000
  61 Tuesday, July 23, 2024
54
rx 149
Maximum Slenderness Check:
R = 62 < 200 Ok

Using Design Aids: (ØcFcr)ass =183.52 MPa

c Pn  183.52  9100 1000  1670 kN  1600 kN Ok

Final Selection: W 360 x 72

55 Tuesday, July 23, 2024

Note: In this example, area of qualifying example
section is lesser than the assumed required area.
This is only because of selecting the equal strength
column. Further, by using the column selection
tables, the criterion of equal strength is
automatically satisfied.
Example 3.4:
Design a W-section column in a building frame of
4m story height for an axial factored compressive
load of 975 kN. The frame is braced against
sidesway along its weak axis but sidesway is allowed
along the major axis (K=2). Assume the ends of the
56
column to be pinned at the base and fixed at the
Tuesday, July 23,top.
2024
Solution:
Pu = 975 kN

Rass = 90 : ØcFcr = 146.46 MPa

Pu 975  1000
Areq    6657 mm 2
c Fcr 146.46

57 Tuesday, July 23, 2024

 Kx = 2.0
Ky = 1.0

Lux = Luy = 4m : KxLux = 8.0 m : KyLuy = 4.0m

K x lux rx
 2. 0  close to 2.0 will be preferred
K y luy ry

For Pu= 975 kN and KyLy = 4.0m, the selected

section using the column selection tables is W 250
x 49.1.
58 Tuesday, July 23, 2024
 rx
 2.16
ry

K l 
y y eq 
K xl x
 8.0 2.16  3.7 m
rx ry

Hence (KyLy)eq is not critical with respect to KyLy.

Trial Section: W250x49.1

59 Tuesday, July 23, 2024

 For Pu = 975 kN and KyLy= 4.0m:
Trial Section: W250x49.1
A = 6260 mm2 ; rx/ry = 2.15 ; d = 247 mm
bf = 202 mm ; tf = 11.0 mm ; tw = 7.4 mm
rx = 106 mm ; ry = 49.3 mm

bf
  9.1  r  15.8 Ok
2t f
h
   27.1  r  42.1 Ok
tw
60 Tuesday, July 23, 2024
 K x Lux
 76
rx
K y Luy
 82  Critical
ry

Maximum Slenderness Check:

R= 82 < 200 Ok

(ØcFcr) =157.54 MPa

61 Tuesday, July 23, 2024
 c Pn  157.54  6260 1000  986 kN  975 kN Ok

Final Selection: W 250 x 49.1

62 Tuesday, July 23, 2024