Example

Program: RFEM 5, RF_STEEL AISC

Category: Design Check

Verification Verification Example: 1003 – AISC E.1A - W-Shape Column Design with Pinned Ends

1003 – AISC E.1A - W-Shape Column Design with Pinned Ends

Description
An ASTM A992 14×132 W-shape column is loaded with the axial compression forces given. The
column is pinned top and bottom in both axes. Determine whether the column is adequate to
support the loading shown in Figure 1 based on LRFD and ASD, see [1].

Material Steel Modulus of

E 29000.000 ksi
Elasticity

Yield
Fy 50.000 ksi
Strength

Geometry Beam Length L 30.000 ft

Load Dead PD 140.000 kips

Live PL 420.000 kips

PD + PL

L x

y
z

Figure 1: Column Loading and Bracing

Taking into account self-weight, determine the available strength in axial compression of the
column according to [1].

AISC Solution
From ASCE/SEI 7, Chapter 2, the required compressive strength is

LRFD ASD

Pu = 1.2 ⋅ 140 + 1.6 ⋅ 420 = 840.000 kips Pa = 140 + 420 = 560.000 kips

From AISC Specification Commentary Table C-A-7.1, for a pinned-pinned condition

Kx = Ky = 1

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Therefore, the effective length is

Lc = Kx Lx = Ky Ly = 1 ⋅ 30.000 = 30.000 ft (1003 – 1)

Because the unbraced length is the same in both the x–x and y–y directions and rx exceeds ry for
all W-shapes, y–y axis bucking will govern.

Enter AISC Manual Table 4-1a with an effective length Lc = 30.000 ft, and proceed across the
table until reaching the least weight shape with an available strength that equals or exceeds the
required strength.

From AISC Manual Table 4-1a, the available strength for a y–y axis effective length of 30.000 ft is

LRFD ASD

𝜙c Pn = 893.000 > 840.000 kips Pn /𝛺c = 594.000 > 560.000 kips

RFEM 5 Settings

• Modeled in RFEM 5.14.03

• Isotropic linear elastic model is used
• Shear stiffness of members is activated

Results

Design AISC Solution RFEM Solution Ratio

[kips] [kips] [-]

LRFD 893.000 892.620 0.999

ASD 594.000 593.892 0.999

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Verification Example: 1003 – AISC E.1A - W-Shape Column Design with Pinned Ends

Available Strength

Example Design RFEM Solution AISC Solution Ratio

(Shape) [kips] [kips] [-]

E.1B LRFD 902.862 903.000 0.999

W 14×90 ASD 600.706 601.000 0.999

E.1C LRFD 893.209 892.000 1.001

W 14×132 ASD 594.420 598.000 0.994

E.1D LRFD 927.459 927.000 1.001

W 14×90 ASD 617.072 617.000 1.000

E.2 LRFD 493.896 500.000 0.988

WF
(Slender Web) ASD 328.607 332.000 0.990

E.3 LRFD 317.460 318.000 0.998

WF
(Slender Flange) ASD 211.217 211.000 0.999

E.4A LRFD 940.512 940.000 1.001

W 14×82
(Col. B-C Fixed) ASD 625.757 626.000 0.999

E.4B LRFD 861.712 861.000 1.001

W 14×82
(Col. A-B
Pinned) ASD 573.328 573.000 1.001

E.5 LRFD 126.953 128.000 0.992

LL 4×3.5×0.375
(0.75" Gap) ASD 84.466 85.000 0.994

E.6 LRFD 68.296 67.500 1.012

LL 5×3×0.25
(0.75" Gap) ASD 45.440 44.900 1.012

E.7 LRFD 127.861 128.000 0.999

(WT 7×34) ASD 85.070 85.000 1.001

E.8 LRFD 36.512 36.600 0.998

(WT 7×15) ASD 24.293 24.400 0.996

E.9 LRFD 555.305 556.000 0.999

(HSS
12×10×0.375) ASD 369.464 370.000 0.999

E.10 LRFD 151.143 151.000 1.001

(HSS
12×8×0.188) ASD 100.561 101.000 0.9957

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Verification Example: 1003 – AISC E.1A - W-Shape Column Design with Pinned Ends

Example Design RFEM Solution AISC Solution Ratio

(Shape) [kips] [kips] [-]

E.11 LRFD 218.583 221.000 0.989

(10X Std. Pipe) ASD 145.431 147.000 0.989

E.12 LRFD 276.762 280.000 0.988

(Built-up
Unequal Flange) ASD 184.139 186.000 0.990

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Verification Example: 1003 – AISC E.1A - W-Shape Column Design with Pinned Ends

Figure 2: RFEM 5 results - Axial Forces (LRFD)

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Verification Example: 1003 – AISC E.1A - W-Shape Column Design with Pinned Ends

References
[1] AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF STEEL CONSTRUCTION, Specification for Structural Steel Buildings.
2015.

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