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51 Design of Steel Structures MIT Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Spring Semester, 1998

Homework Problem Set #3

Four Problems due Friday, March 20, 1998

1. A W1022 used as a column under axial compression. Assume that it is unbraced

unless specified otherwise. Use A36 steel. For each column length and end conditions
given, calculate the design capacity, c Pn . (25 points)

(a) L = 8 ft, pinned ends

(b) L = 8 ft, fixed ends
(c) L = 16 ft, pinned ends
(d) L = 16 ft, fixed ends
(e) L = 16 ft, pinned ends, braced at the midspan in the weak axis direction.

2. For an axially loaded compression members, plot the following as a function of the
dimensionless slenderness parameter (c ). Construct the curves using three different
types of steel (Fy =36, 50 and 100 ksi). (20 points)

(a) Theoretical Euler critical buckling stress (FE )

(b) Critical stresses given by AISC/LRFD (E2-2) and (E2-3)
(c) Critical compressive strength normalized by yield stress (Fcr /Fy )
(d) Discuss your observations. List at least 5 items.

3. A 24 ft column shown below, pinned at one end and fixed at the other, is used to support
a compressive axial load. It has a bracing in the weak axis direction at 1/3 of the length
from the pinned end. Select the lightest W 14 section that adequately support the loads
PD =400 kips and PL =175 kips. Use A572 Grade 50 steel. (25 points)

L/3

L
1.51 Design of Steel Structures MIT Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Spring Semester, 1998

4. The unbraced frame is shown below.

(a) Calculate the effective length factors for columns 1 through 4 using the
appropriate alignment charts. Then calculate the maximum factored load that each
column can carry. Remember to include stiffness reduction factors where
applicable. The factored load on all columns is 300 kips. Use A36 steel. Assume
that the weak axis of columns are continually braced such that out-of-plane (weak
axis) buckling is prevented. (15 points)
(b) Repeat the problem if sidesway is inhibited due to lateral bracing in both
directions. How does this increase your design strength of these columns?
(15 points)

20' 20'

W14x38 W14x38
W14x48

W14x53

W14x48
15'
#1 #3

W14x38 W14x38
W14x48

W14x53

W14x48
15'
#2 #4