Structural Steel Design Third Edition

LRFD Method
CHAPTER
INTRODUCTION TO
AXIALLY LOADED
COMPRESSION MEMBERS
• A. J. Clark School of Engineering •Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Part II – Structural Steel Design and Analysis

By

5d
FALL 2002 Dr . Ibrahim. Assakkaf

ENCE 355 - Introduction to Structural Design

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
University of Maryland, College Park

CHAPTER 5d. INTRODUCTION TO AXIALLY LOADED COMPRESSION MEMBERS Slide No. 1

ENCE 355 ©Assakkaf

Long, Short, and Intermediate

Columns
Q The strength of a column and the
manner in which it fails are greatly
dependent on its effective length.
Q A very short stocky steel column may
be loaded until it reaches it yield point,
and perhaps the strain hardening range.
Q In essence, it can support about the
same load in compression that it can in
tension.

1
CHAPTER 5d. INTRODUCTION TO AXIALLY LOADED COMPRESSION MEMBERS Slide No. 2
ENCE 355 ©Assakkaf

Long, Short, and Intermediate

Columns
Q As the effective length of a column
increases, its buckling stress will
decrease.
Q The steel column is said to fail
elastically if the buckling stress is less
than the proportional limit of steel when
the effective length exceeds a certain
value.

CHAPTER 5d. INTRODUCTION TO AXIALLY LOADED COMPRESSION MEMBERS Slide No. 3

ENCE 355 ©Assakkaf

Long, Short, and Intermediate

Columns
Q Long Columns
– Long columns usually fails elastically.
– The Euler formula predicts very well the
strength of long columns where the axial
compressive buckling stress remains
below the proportional limit.

2
CHAPTER 5d. INTRODUCTION TO AXIALLY LOADED COMPRESSION MEMBERS Slide No. 4
ENCE 355 ©Assakkaf

Long, Short, and Intermediate

Columns
Q Short Columns
– The failure stress equals to the yield stress
for short columns.
– For a column to fall into this class, it would
have to be so short as to have no practical
application.

CHAPTER 5d. INTRODUCTION TO AXIALLY LOADED COMPRESSION MEMBERS Slide No. 5

ENCE 355 ©Assakkaf

Long, Short, and Intermediate

Columns
Q Intermediate Columns
– For intermediate columns some of the
fibers will reach the yield stress and some
will not.
– The member will fail by both yielding and
buckling, and their behavior is said to be
inelastic.
– Most columns fall into this range.

3
CHAPTER 5d. INTRODUCTION TO AXIALLY LOADED COMPRESSION MEMBERS Slide No. 6

Column Formulas
ENCE 355 ©Assakkaf

Q The Euler formula is used by the AISC

LRFD Specification for long columns
with elastic buckling.
Q Other empirical (based on testing)
equations are used by the LRFD for
short and intermediate columns.
Q With these equations, a critical or
buckling stress Fcr is determined for a
compression element.

CHAPTER 5d. INTRODUCTION TO AXIALLY LOADED COMPRESSION MEMBERS Slide No. 7

Column Formulas
ENCE 355 ©Assakkaf

Q LRFD General Design Equation for

Columns
The design strength of a compression
member is determined as follows:
Pn = Ag Fcr
(1)
φ c Pn ≤ φc Ag Fcr with φ = 0.85

4
CHAPTER 5d. INTRODUCTION TO AXIALLY LOADED COMPRESSION MEMBERS Slide No. 8

Column Formulas
ENCE 355 ©Assakkaf

Q LRFD Critical Buckling Stress

Two equations are provided by the LRFD
for the critical buckling stress Fcr:

(0.658)λc F
2
for λc ≤ 1.5
 y

Fcr =  0.877  (2)

 2  Fy for λc > 1.5
 λc 

CHAPTER 5d. INTRODUCTION TO AXIALLY LOADED COMPRESSION MEMBERS Slide No. 9

Column Formulas
ENCE 355 ©Assakkaf

Q LRFD Critical Buckling Stress

The limiting λc value is given by

Fy
λc = (3)
Fe
π 2E
Where Fe = Euler buckling stress =
(KL / r )2
Hence,
Fy (KL / r )
2
Fy Fy KL Fy
λc = = = = (4)
Fe π 2E π 2E rπ E
(KL / r )2

5
CHAPTER 5d. INTRODUCTION TO AXIALLY LOADED COMPRESSION MEMBERS Slide No. 10

Column Formulas
ENCE 355 ©Assakkaf

Q LRFD Critical Buckling Stress

So the limiting λc value to be used in Eq. 2
is given by
Fy KL Fy
λc = = (5)
Fe rπ E
where
Fy = yield strength of material (steel)
Fe = Euler critical buckling stress

CHAPTER 5d. INTRODUCTION TO AXIALLY LOADED COMPRESSION MEMBERS Slide No. 11

Column Formulas
ENCE 355 ©Assakkaf

Q LRFD Critical Buckling Stress

– For inelastic flexural buckling, Eq. 2 can be
used to compute the critical buckling stress
Fcr when λc ≤ 1.5.
– For elastic flexural buckling, Eq. 2 can be
used to compute the critical buckling stress
Fcr when λc > 1.5.
– Eq. 2 include the estimated effects of
residual stresses and initial out-of-
straightness of the members.
– Eq. 2 is presented graphically in Fig. 1.

6
CHAPTER 5d. INTRODUCTION TO AXIALLY LOADED COMPRESSION MEMBERS Slide No. 12

Column Formulas
ENCE 355 ©Assakkaf

Figure 1. LRFD Critical Buckling Stress

Short
Intermediate
column Long column
column

Inelastic buckling

φc Fcr
λc = 1.5 Elastic buckling
(Euler Formula)

KL
r

CHAPTER 5d. INTRODUCTION TO AXIALLY LOADED COMPRESSION MEMBERS Slide No. 13

Column Formulas
ENCE 355 ©Assakkaf

Q LRFD Critical Buckling Stress

– To facilitate the design process, the LRFD
Manual provides computed values φc Fcr
values for steels with Fy = 36 ksi and 50 ksi
for KL/r from 1 to 200 and has shown the
results in Tables 3.36 and 3.50 of the
LRFD Specification located in Part 16 of
the Manual.
– Also, there is Table 4 of the LRFD
Specification from which the user may
obtain values for steel with any Fy values.

7
 CHAPTER 5d. INTRODUCTION TO AXIALLY LOADED COMPRESSION MEMBERS Slide No. 14

Column Formulas
ENCE 355 ©Assakkaf

Q LRFD Manual Design Tables (P. 16.I-143)

CHAPTER 5d. INTRODUCTION TO AXIALLY LOADED COMPRESSION MEMBERS Slide No. 15

Column Formulas
ENCE 355 ©Assakkaf

Q LRFD Manual Design Tables (P. 16.I-145)

8
 CHAPTER 5d. INTRODUCTION TO AXIALLY LOADED COMPRESSION MEMBERS Slide No. 16

Column Formulas
ENCE 355 ©Assakkaf

Q LRFD Manual Design Tables (P. 4-25)

CHAPTER 5d. INTRODUCTION TO AXIALLY LOADED COMPRESSION MEMBERS Slide No. 17

Maximum Slenderness Ratios

ENCE 355 ©Assakkaf

Q Compression members preferably

should be designed with
KL
≤ 200 (6)
r
as specified in Section B7 of the LRFD
Manual.
Note that LRFD Tables 3.36 and 3.50 give a value of 5.33 ksi for
the design stress φc Fcr when KL/r = 200. If KL/r > 200, it is
then necessary to substitute into the column formulas to get the
the stress.

9
CHAPTER 5d. INTRODUCTION TO AXIALLY LOADED COMPRESSION MEMBERS Slide No. 18

Maximum Slenderness Ratios

ENCE 355 ©Assakkaf

Q More Simplification by the LRFD

Manual for Design
– It is to be noted that the LRFD Manual in
its Part 4 has further simplified the
calculations required by computing the
column design strength φc Fcr Ag for each of
the shapes normally used as columns for
commonly used effective lengths or KL
values.
– These were determined with respect to the
least radius of gyration for each section.

CHAPTER 5d. INTRODUCTION TO AXIALLY LOADED COMPRESSION MEMBERS Slide No. 19

Example Problems
ENCE 355 ©Assakkaf

Q Example 1
a. Using the column design stress values
shown in Table 3.50, part 16 of the LRFD
manual, determine the design strength, φc Pn
of the Fy = 50 ksi axially loaded column
shown in the figure.
b. Repeat the problem using the column tables
of part 4 of the Manual.
c. Check local buckling for the section selected
using the appropriate values from Table 5.2.

10
CHAPTER 5d. INTRODUCTION TO AXIALLY LOADED COMPRESSION MEMBERS Slide No. 20

Example Problems
ENCE 355 ©Assakkaf

Q Example 1 (cont’d) Pu ≤ φc Pn

W12 × 72
15 ft

Pu ≤ φc Pn

CHAPTER 5d. INTRODUCTION TO AXIALLY LOADED COMPRESSION MEMBERS Slide No. 21

Example Problems
ENCE 355 ©Assakkaf

Q Example 1 (cont’d)
a. The properties of the W12 × 72 are
obtained from the LRFD Manual as
A = 21.1 in 2 rx = 5.31 in ry = 3.04 in
d = 12.3 in b f = 12.00 in t f = 0.670 in
k = 1.27 in t w = 0.430 in

K = 0.80 from Table 1 (Table 5.1, Text)

Since (ry = 3.04 in ) < (rx = 5.31 in ), ry controls
and
KL 0.80(12 × 15)
= = 47.37
ry 3.04

11
 CHAPTER 5d. INTRODUCTION TO AXIALLY LOADED COMPRESSION MEMBERS Slide No. 22

Example Problems
ENCE 355 ©Assakkaf

Q Example 1 (cont’d)

Table 1

CHAPTER 5d. INTRODUCTION TO AXIALLY LOADED COMPRESSION MEMBERS Slide No. 23

Example Problems
ENCE 355 ©Assakkaf

Q Example 1 (cont’d)
For KL/r = 47 and 48, Table 3-50 of the
LRFD Manual, Page 16.I-145, gives
respectively the following values for φc Fcr:
36.2 ksi and 35.9 ksi.
Using interpolation,

47 36.2
φ F − 36.2 47.37 − 47
47.37 φc Fcr ⇒ c cr = ⇒ φ c Fcr = 36.09 ksi
35.9 − 36.2 48 − 47
48 35.9

12
CHAPTER 5d. INTRODUCTION TO AXIALLY LOADED COMPRESSION MEMBERS Slide No. 24

Example Problems
ENCE 355 ©Assakkaf

Q Example 1 (cont’d)
P. 16.I-145

CHAPTER 5d. INTRODUCTION TO AXIALLY LOADED COMPRESSION MEMBERS Slide No. 25

Example Problems
ENCE 355 ©Assakkaf

Q Example 1 (cont’d)
Therefore,
φc Pn = φc Fcr Ag = 36.09(21.1) = 761.5 k

b. Entering column tables Part 4 of the

LRFD Manual with Ky Ly in feet:

K y Ly = 0.80(15) = 12 ft
Pu = φ c Pn = 761 k

13
 CHAPTER 5d. INTRODUCTION TO AXIALLY LOADED COMPRESSION MEMBERS Slide No. 26

Example Problems
ENCE 355 ©Assakkaf

Q Example 1 (cont’d)
P. 4-25

CHAPTER 5d. INTRODUCTION TO AXIALLY LOADED COMPRESSION MEMBERS Slide No. 27

Example Problems
ENCE 355 ©Assakkaf

Q Example 1 (cont’d)
c. Checking W12× 72 for compactness:
For flange See Table 2

h 12.0 E 29 ×103
=
2t f 2(0.670)
= 8.96 < 0.56
Fy
= 0.56
50
= 13.49 OK

For web, noting h = d – 2k = 12.3 – 2 (1.27) =9.76 in

h 9.76 E 29 × 103
=
t w 0.430
= 22.7 < 1.49
Fy
= 1.49
50
= 35.88 OK

See Table 3

14
 CHAPTER 5d. INTRODUCTION TO AXIALLY LOADED COMPRESSION MEMBERS Slide No. 28

Example Problems
ENCE 355 ©Assakkaf

Q Table 2. Limiting Width-Thickness Ratios for

Compression Elements

CHAPTER 5d. INTRODUCTION TO AXIALLY LOADED COMPRESSION MEMBERS Slide No. 29

Example Problems
ENCE 355 ©Assakkaf

Q Table 3. (cont’d) Limiting Width-Thickness

Ratios for Compression Elements
Stiffened Elements

15
 CHAPTER 5d. INTRODUCTION TO AXIALLY LOADED COMPRESSION MEMBERS Slide No. 30

Example Problems
ENCE 355 ©Assakkaf

Q Example 2
Determine the design strength φc Pn of the
axially loaded column shown in the figure if
KL = 19 ft and 50 ksi steel is used.
1
PL × 20
2
MC18× 42.7
y
x x
18.50 in

[ A = 12.6 in , d = 18.0 in,

2 12 in
I x = 554 in 4 , I y = 14.3 in 4 ,
x = 0.877 in from back of C]

CHAPTER 5d. INTRODUCTION TO AXIALLY LOADED COMPRESSION MEMBERS Slide No. 31

Example Problems
ENCE 355 ©Assakkaf

Q Example 2 (cont’d)
1
A = 20  + 2(12.6 ) = 35.2 in 2
2
y from top =
(0.5 × 20)(0.25) + (2 ×12.6)(9.5) = 6.87 in
35.2
20(0.5)
[ ]
3
I x = 2(554 ) + 2 12.6(9.25 − 6.69 ) + + 10(6.69 − 0.25) = 1,688 in 4
2 2

12
0.5(20 )
[ ]
3
I y = 2(14.3) + 2 12.6(6 + 0.877 )
2
+ = 1554 in 4
12
Ix 1688
rx = = = 6.92 in
A 35.2
Iy 1554
ry = = = 6.64 in Controls
A 35.2

16
 CHAPTER 5d. INTRODUCTION TO AXIALLY LOADED COMPRESSION MEMBERS Slide No. 32

Example Problems
ENCE 355 ©Assakkaf

Q Example 2 (cont’d)
KL KL (12 × 19 )
= = = 34.34
r ry 6.64
For KL/r = 34 and 35, Table 3-50 of the
LRFD Manual, Page 16.I-145, gives
respectively the following values for φc Fcr:
39.1 ksi and 38.9 ksi
34 39.1
φ F − 39.1 34.34 − 34
34.34 φ c Fcr ⇒ c cr = ⇒ φ c Fcr = 39.03 ksi
38.9 − 39.1 35 − 34
35 38.9
Therefore, the design strength = φc Pn = φc Ag Fcr

=39.03 (35.2) = 1374 k

CHAPTER 5d. INTRODUCTION TO AXIALLY LOADED COMPRESSION MEMBERS Slide No. 33

Example Problems
ENCE 355 ©Assakkaf

Q Example 3
a. Using Table 3.50 of Part 16 of the LRFD
Manual, determine the design strength φc Pn
of the 50 ksi axially loaded W14 × 90 shown
in the figure. Because of its considerable
length, this column is braced perpendicular
to its weak axis at the points shown in the
figure. These connections are assumed to
permit rotation of the member in a plane
parallel to the plane of the flanges. At the
same time, however, they are assumed to
prevent translation or sideway and twisting

17
 CHAPTER 5d. INTRODUCTION TO AXIALLY LOADED COMPRESSION MEMBERS Slide No. 34

Example Problems
ENCE 355 ©Assakkaf

Q Example 3 (cont’d) φc Pn
of the cross section
about a longitudinal
10 ft
axis passing through
the shear center of
General support
the cross section.  xy direction 10 ft 32 ft
– Repeat part (a) using
the column tables of
12 ft
Part 4 of the LRFD
Manual.
W14× 90
φc Pn

CHAPTER 5d. INTRODUCTION TO AXIALLY LOADED COMPRESSION MEMBERS Slide No. 35

Example Problems
ENCE 355 ©Assakkaf

y
Q Example 3 x
(cont’d)
– Note that the
column is braced x
perpendicular to
y 10 ft

its weak y axis as

shown. 10 ft
Bracing

12 ft

W14× 90

18
 CHAPTER 5d. INTRODUCTION TO AXIALLY LOADED COMPRESSION MEMBERS Slide No. 36

Example Problems
ENCE 355 ©Assakkaf

Q Example 3 (cont’d)
a. The following properties of the W14 × 90
can be obtained from the LRFD Manual as
A = 26.5 in 2 rx = 6.14 in ry = 3.70 in
Determination of effective lengths:
K x Lx = (0.8)(32) = 25.6 ft
K y L y = (1.0 )(10) = 10 ft Governs for Ky Ly
K x Ly = (0.8)(12 ) = 9.6 ft

See Table for the K values

CHAPTER 5d. INTRODUCTION TO AXIALLY LOADED COMPRESSION MEMBERS Slide No. 37

Example Problems
ENCE 355 ©Assakkaf

Q Example 3 (cont’d)

Table 1

19
CHAPTER 5d. INTRODUCTION TO AXIALLY LOADED COMPRESSION MEMBERS Slide No. 38

Example Problems
ENCE 355 ©Assakkaf

Q Example 3 (cont’d)
Computations of slenderness ratios:
 KL  12 × 25.6
  = = 50.03 Governs
 r x 6.14
 KL  12 × 10
  = = 32.43
 r y 3.70

Design Strength:
KL
= 50.03 ≈ 50, Table 3 - 50 gives φ c Fcr = 35.4 ksi
r
∴φ c Pn = φc Fcr Ag = 35.4(26.5) = 938 k

CHAPTER 5d. INTRODUCTION TO AXIALLY LOADED COMPRESSION MEMBERS Slide No. 39

Example Problems
ENCE 355 ©Assakkaf

Q Example 3 (cont’d)
b. Using columns tables of Part 4 of LRFD
Manual:
Note: from part (a) solution, there are two
different KL values:
K x Lx = 25.6 ft and K y Ly = 10 ft
Which value would control? This can
accomplished as follows:
K x Lx K y Ly
= Equivalent
rx ry

20
 CHAPTER 5d. INTRODUCTION TO AXIALLY LOADED COMPRESSION MEMBERS Slide No. 40

Example Problems
ENCE 355 ©Assakkaf

Q Example 3 (cont’d)
K x Lx K x Lx
Equivalent K y L y = ry =
rx rx / ry
The controlling Ky Ly for use in the tables is larger
of the real Ky Ly = 10 ft, or equivalent Ky Ly:
rx
for W14 × 90 from bottom of column tables = 1.66
ry
25.6
Equivalent K y Ly = = 15.43 > K y Ly = 10 ft
1.66
For K y Ly = 15.42 and by interpolation :
φc Pn = 938 k

CHAPTER 5d. INTRODUCTION TO AXIALLY LOADED COMPRESSION MEMBERS Slide No. 41

Example Problems
ENCE 355 ©Assakkaf

Q Example 3 (cont’d)
The Interpolation Process:
• For Ky Ly = 15 ft and 16 ft, column table (P. 4-
23) of Par 4 of the LRFD Manual, gives
respectively the following values for φc Pn: 947 k
and 925 k. Therefore, by interpolation:

15 947
φ P − 947 15.42 − 15
15.42 φ c Pn ⇒ c n = ⇒ φ c Pn = 938 k
925 − 947 16 − 15
16 925

21