Columns:

Are compression members which are subjected to concentric axial

compressive forces. These are to be found in trusses and as a lateral
bracing members in frame building. Short columns are sometimes
referred to as to as struts or stanchions.
P

Beam-Columns:
Are members subjected to combined axial compressive
and bending stresses; These are found in single storey
of multi-storey framed structures. These are treated
independently in this course (chap. 12 in your text book).

Columns Theory:
Stocky columns (short) fail by yielding of the material at
the cross section, but most columns fail by buckling at
loads for less then yielding forces.

(a)

(b)
C-1

For slender columns, Euler (1759) predicted the critical buckling load (P cr)
also known as Euler Buckling Load as:
2 EI
Pcr 2 (C 1)
L
where:

E = Young Modulus of Elasticity.

I = Minor moment of Inertia.
L = Unbraced length of column.

Derivation of Euler Buckling Load:

d y
M

2
dx
EI
P
y" cr y 0
EI
Solution of this differential equation:
y = A cos (cx) + B sin (cx)

Pcr

Pcr
x

where:

Pcr
c
EI

, A and B are constants.

C-2

From boundary conditions:

y = 0 @ x = 0, and
y = 0 @ x = L, we get (A = 0) and (B sin cL = 0)
if B 0, then cL = n

where n = 0, 1, 2, 3

cL =
Pcr
L
EI
2EI
Pcr 2
---- Euler Buckling Critical Load
L
2E Ar 2

L2
where: r = minor radius of gyration
2EA

L / r 2
Fcr

Pcr E

(C 2)
2
Ag
L
r

Note:

The critical buckling load

is a function of the section
properties (A, L, r) and
the modulus of elasticity
for material, and is not a
function of the strength or
grade of the material.

C-3

Example C-1
Find the critical buckling load for W 12 x 50, supported in a pinned-pinned
condition, and has an over-all length of 20 feet?
Solution:

Fcr

2E

Lr 2

rmin = ry = 1.96 inch (properties of section).

Fcr

2 29000

2012 2
1.96

19 ksi

Pcr = Fcr A = 19.1 x 14.7 = 280.8 kips

Note:
The steel grade is not a factor affecting buckling.
C-4

For short (stocky) columns; Equation (C-2) gives high values for
(Fcr), sometimes
greater then proportional limit, Engessor (1889)
proposed to use (Et) instead of (E) in Euler formula:

2 Et I
Pcr
(C 3)
2
L

where:
Et = Tangent Modulus of Elasticity
Et < E
When (Fcr) exceeds (FPR), this is called
Inelastic Buckling, constantly variable
(Et) need to be used to predict (Fcr)
in the inelastic zone.
Shanley (1947), resolved this inconsistency.
C-5

Depending on (L/r) value the column buckling

strength was presented as shown by Shanley.

Residual Stresses:Due to uneven cooling of hot-rolled sections,

residual stresses develop as seen here.
The presence of residual stresses in almost all
hot-rolled sections further complicates the issue
of elastic buckling and leads towards inelastic
buckling.

C-6

The Euler buckling formula (C-1) is based on:

1 Perfectly straight column. (no crookedness).
2 Load is concentric (no eccentricity).
3 Column is pinned on both ends.
The

Previous

conditions

are

where:
K = Effective length factor.
(Kl) = Effective length.
(Kl/r) = Effective slenderness ratio.

very

difficult to achieve in a realistic building

condition, especially the free rotation of pinned
ends. Thus an effective slenderness factor is
introduced to account for various end conditions:

Thus:

Fcr

2E

r
KL

, or

Fcr

see commentary
(C C2.2) (page 16.1-240)

2 Et

r
Kl

C 4

C-7

AISC (Chapter E) of LRFD code stipulates:

Pu (factored load) c Pn
where:
Pu = Sum of factored loads on column.
c = Resistance factor for compression = 0.90
Pn = Nominal compressive strength = Fcr Ag
Fcr = Critical buckling Stress. (E3 of LFRD)
a) for

Kl
4.71
r

E
Fy

or

Fcr 0.658

b) for

Kl
4.71
r

E
Fy

or

Fy
Fe

Fe

2E

KL 2
r

E - 3.2

Fy

Fcr 0.877Fe

where:

0.44Fy

0.44Fy

E - 3.3
E - 3.4
C-8

The above two equations of the LRFD code can be

illustrated as below:
Kl Fy
where:
c
r E
* The code further stipulates that an upper value for
for column should not exceed (200).
* For higher slenderness ratio,
Equation (E-3.3) controls and
(Fy) has no effect on (Fcr).

C-9

Example C-2
Determine the design compressive strength (cPn) of W 14x74 with an
untraced length of (20 ft), both ends are pinned, (A-36) steel is used?

Solution:

Kl =1 x 20 x 12 = 240 in
Rmin = ry = 2.48
Kl

max.

Fe

240
96.77 200 (0k)
2.48
2E

Kl

2 x2900

30.56 ksi
(96.77) 2

0.44 Fy = 0.44 x 36 =15.84 ksi

Fe 0.44 Fy Equ. E-3.2
(controls)

Fy

Fcr 0.658 Fy (0.658)1.178 x 36

0.611 36 21.99 ksi

Fe

c Pn = 0.9 x Fcr x Ag = 0.9 x (21.99) x 21.8

= 433.44 kips (Answer)
Also from (table 4-22) LFRD Page 4-320
c Fcr = 19.75 ksi (by interpolation)
c Pn = c Fcr Ag = 430.55 kips
(much faster)
C-10

For must profiles used as column, the buckling of thin elements in the section may
proceed the ever-all bucking of the member as a whole, this is called local bucking.
To prevent local bucking from accruing prior to total buckling. AISC provides upper
limits on width to thickness ratios (known as b/t ratio) as shown here.

See AISC (B4)

(Page 16.1-14)
See also:
Part 1 on properties
of various sections.

C-11

Depending on their ( b/t ) ratios (referred to as ) ,

sections are classified as:
a) Compact sections are those with flanges fully welded
(connected) to their web and their:
p
(AISC B4)
b) Non compact Sections:
p r
(B4)
c) Slender Section:
> r
(B4)
Certain strength reduction factors (Q) are introduced for slender
members. (AISC E7). This part is not required as most section
selected are compact.

C-12

Example C-3
Determine the design
compressive strength
(c Pn) for W 12 x 65
column shown below,
(Fy = 50 ksi)?

Solution:
A) By direct LRFD
From properties:
Ag =19.1 in2
rx = 5.28 in
ry = 3.02 in

K xL x 1 x 24 x 12

54.55
rx
5.28
K yL y
ry

Fe

1 x 8 x 12
31.79
5.28

2E
2

2 x29000

96.2 ksi
2
(54.55)

Kl

r
Fe 0.44 Fy ( 22 ksi)

50
96.2

Equ. (E 3.2)

Fcr 0.658 Fy

0.8045 x 50 40.225 ksi

c Pn = 0.9 x Fcr Ag = 0.9 x 40.225 x 19.1 = 691.5 kips

C-13

B) From Table (4.22) LRFD

Evaluate

Kl

= 54.55
max

Enter table 4.22 (page 4 318 LRFD)

cFc = 36.235 ksi (by interpolation)
Pn = Fc x Ag = 692.0 kips

C) From (Table 4.1 LRFD)

K xL x 1x24
(KL)y

13.7 ft
rx
1.75
ry
Enter table (4.1 ) page 4.17 LFRD with (KL)y = 13.7
Pn = 691.3 kips (by interpolation).

C-14

Design with Columns Load Table (4) LFRD:A) Design with Column Load Table (4) LFRD:
The selection of an economical rolled shape to resist a given
compressive load is simple with the aid of the column load tables.
Enter the table with the effective length and move horizontally until
you find the desired design strength (or something slightly larger). In
some cases, Usually the category of shape (W, WT, etc.) will have
been decided upon in advance. Often the overall nominal
dimensions will also be known because of architectural or other
requirements. As pointed out earlier, all tabulated values correspond
to a slenderness ratio of 200 or less. The tabulated unsymmetrical
shapes the structural tees and the single and double-angles
require special consideration and are covered later.
C-15

EXAMPLE C - 4
A compression member is subjected to service loads of 165 kips dead load
and 535 kips live load. The member is 26 feet long and pinned in each end.
Use (A572 Gr 50) steel and select a W14 shape.

SOLUTION

Calculate the factored load:

Pu = 1.2D + 1.6L = 1.2(165) + 1.6(535) = 1054 kips

Required design strength cPn = 1054 kips
From the column load table for KL = 26 ft, a W14 176
has design strength of 1150 kips.

ANSWER
Use a W14 145, But practically W14 132 is OK.
C-16

EXAMPLE C - 5
Select the lightest W-shape that can resists a factored compressive load P u of
190 kips. The effective length is 24 feet. Use ASTM A572 Grade 50 steel.

SOLUTION

The appropriate strategy here is to fined the lightest shape for each nominal
size and then choose the lightest overall. The choices are as follows.
W4, W5 and W6:
None of the tabulated shape will work.
W8:
W8 58, cPn = 194 kips
W10:
W10 49, cPn = 239 kips
W12:
W12 53, cPn = 247 kips
W14:
W14 61, cPn = 276 kips
Note that the load capacity is not proportional to the weight (or crosssectional area). Although the W8 58 has the smallest design strength of
the four choices, it is the second heaviest.

ANSWER Use a W10 49.

C-17

B) Design for sections not from Column Load Tables:

For shapes not in the column load tables, a trial-and-error approach must be used.
The general procedure is to assume a shape and then compute its design strength. If
the strength is too small (unsafe) or too large (uneconomical), another trial must be
made. A systematic approach to making the trial selection is as follows.
1) Assume a value for the critical buckling stress Fcr. Examination of AISC Equations
E3-2 and E3-3 shows that the theoretically maximum value of Fcr is the yield stress Fy.
2) From the requirement that cPn Pu, let
Pu
A

cAgFcr Pu and g cFcr

3) Select a shape that satisfies this area requirement.
4) Compute Fcr and cPn for the trial shape.
5) Revise if necessary. If the design strength is very close to the required value,
the next tabulated size can be tried. Otherwise, repeat the entire procedure,
using the value of Fcr found for the current trial shape as a value for Step 1
6) Check local stability (check width-thickness ratios). Revise if necessary.

C-18

Example C-6
Select a W18 shape of A36 steel that can resist a factored load of 1054 kips.
The effective length KL is 26 feet.

Solution:

Try Fcr = 24 ksi (two-thirds of Fy):

Required Ag

Pu
1054

48.8 in 2
c Fcr 0.9( 24)

Try W18 x 192:

Ag = 56.4 in2 > 48.8in2
KL 26(12)

111.8 200
rmin
2.79
Fe

2E
2

(OK)

2 x29000

22.9 ksi
2
111.8

Kl

Fe 0.44 Fy (15.84) LRFD Equ. E . 3.2

C-19

Fy

Fcr 0.658 Fe Fy 0.658

36
22.9

x36 0.532 x 36

18.64 ksi

cPn 0.9 A gFcr 0.9 x 56.4 x 18.64 943kips 1054 k

(N.G.)
Try Fcr 18.64 ksi (the value just computed for the W18 x 192) :
Required A g

Pu
1054

62.83 in2
c Fcr 0.9(18.64)

Try W18 x 234 :

A g 68.8 in2 . 62.83 in 2
KL 26(12)

109.5 200
rmin
2.85

(OK)
C-20

Fe

2E

Klr 2

2 29000

23.87ksi
2
109.5

Fe 0.44Fy

Use LFRD (Equ.E - 3.2)

Fy

Fcr 0.658 Fy 0.658

x 36 0.532 x 36 19.15 ksi

cPn 0.9 A gFcr 0.9 x 68.8 x 19.15 1185 kips 1054 k

(OK)
Fe

36
23.87

This shape is not in the column load tables, so the width - thickness
ratios must be cheacked :
bf
95
2.8
15.8
2t f
36
h
253
13.8
42.2
tw
36
Answer

(OK)
(OK)

Use a W18 x 234

C-21