6.

Compression Member [Refer to Section 7, IS 800-2007]

Structural member subjected to compressive force along its longitudinal axis, is compression
member. Compression member may be slightly crooked, material of member may be non-
homogeneous, load on member may be eccentrically applied, all of which may cause
bending moment in the member. If the effect of bending moment on behaviour of the
member is much less than the influence of axial compression, the member is still considered
as a compression member.

6.1 Types of Compression Member

Depending upon the stiffness, compression member can be divided into three groups i.e.,
compression member of low stiffness, moderate stiffness and high stiffness.

1. Rods and bar

2. Single rolled steel section

3. Built-up section

6.2 Buckling Behaviour of Compression member (Column)

Out of plane bending of compression member or bending of compression member due to

axial load is called buckling of compression member. If whole length of compression
member buckles, buckling is known as general / overall buckling. If buckling is restricted to
some local parts, it is called local buckling. Buckling behaviour of compression members
depends on their qualities, sectional configurations, lengths, support conditions, residual
stresses and manufacturing perfections.

Buckling is very crucial structural behaviour of compression member. Mostly buckling

governs the failure of compression member. For ideal compression member (i.e. axially
loaded compression member supported by hinge supports at their ends), the minimum load
in which compression member starts to buckle is

Where,
Pcr – Critical load; Minimum load in which buckling of compression member starts.

- Effective length of compression member, fcr – Critical stress; A = Sectional area of member;

r – Radius of gyration of member; r = (I/A)1/2

I – Moment of inertia about minor axis or axis of consideration of compression member

 λ – Slenderness ratio of compression member; λ=l/r

Slenderness Ratio

Ratio of effective length and radius of gyration of compression member is slenderness ratio
of compression member. Buckling of compression members are assessed by their
slenderness ratio. In high slenderness ratio, there is greater tendency of buckling of
compression member. Slenderness ratio is found by
Slenderness Ratio = KL/r
Where, KL and r - Effective length and radius of gyration of compression member

[In the design of compression member, IS code has set limitation of slenderness ratio. For limiting
value of slenderness ratio refer to cl. 3.8, Tab. 3]

Effective Length [Refer to Table 11]

Length of compression member, which directly affects the buckling behaviour of column, is
effective length. Larger effective length increases slenderness ratio of compression member.
Physically, effective length is a distance between the two adjacent points of zero bending
moments of compression member. Effective length of compression member is found by
multiplying its unsupported length (L) and a factor (K) to take account of support conditions.

Effective length of compression member = KL [Refer to Table 11 for the value of K]

L KL When both ends of column

KL KL
are hold in position

KL
K=1 K=0.65 K=0.8

K=2
KL
L When one end of column is
KL
hold in position

K=2 K=1.2
6.3 Design of Column of Simple and Built-Up Section

Design Principle

At limit state of collapse, design compressive load applied on compression member shall
be less or equal to the design compressive strength of compression member.
[Refer cl.7.1.2]

Where,

Pd – Design strength of column

Pd = Ae fcd
Ae – Effective sectional area of column [Refer to cl.7.3.2]

fcd – Design compressive stress [Refer to cl.7.1.2.1]

( )

Imperfection factor depends on the buckling class of

compression member (a, b, c and d). Buckling class of
compression member is to account the residual stress, initial
bow, accidental eccentricity which may exist in compression
member [Refer to Table 10]

( )

E – Modulus of elasticity

r - Radius of gyration of compression member

Angle section is one of the widely used rolled steel sections in compression member. But due to
asymmetry of the section, angle section is more susceptible to buckling. So in the design of angle
section as compression member, calculation of stress reduction factor differs.
Design of compression member made-up of rolled steel angle section [Refer to cl. 7.5]

1. Single Angle Strut (Compression member of one angle section)

[Refer to cl. 7.5.1]

Single angle strut loaded through one angle is designed by equation - 1 but in the
calculation of stress reduction factor, non-dimensional equivalent slenderness ratio
is used instead of .

( ) [Refer to cl. 7.5.1.2]

k1, k2, k3 – Constant depending upon the end conditions of angle strut. [Refer to Table 12]

Where,
l - Centre to centre length between end connections
( ) rv – Radius of gyration about minor axis
b1 , b2 – Width of two legs of angle
t - Thickness of angle
( )
- Yield stress ratio; √
( )

2. Double Angle Strut (Compression member of two angle sections) [Refer to cl. 7.5.2]

Discontinuous double angle strut connected on the same side of gusset plate with one
or more bolts/welds is considered as two angle sections connected separately on one
side of gusset plate and designed as a discontinuous single angle section.

Discontinuous double angle strut connected on both sides of gusset plate is considered
as normal compression member and designed by using equation - 1 with
KL = 0.7 × l in the plane of gusset with rigid connection

KL = 0.85 × l in the plane of gusset with two or more bolts at connection

KL = l in the perpendicular plane of gusset with one or more bolts at connection

Continuous double angle strut with one or more bolts at connection is designed as
normal compression member using Eq – 1 with KL = (0.7 to 1) × l in the plane of gusset
depending upon the degree of fixity of connection.
 6.4 Design of Lateral Bracing of Compression Member

Compression member of single rolled steel section will not strong enough, when
unsupported length of member is very large and member subjected to heavy loads. In such
cases, member is built by two or more steel sections called built-up section.

Such built-up sections are braced laterally by steel plates or by angle sections to make the
sections unite, to hold the sections in their positions and to carry transverse shear. There
are two commonly used lateral bracing systems.

i. Lacing system
ii. Battening system.

Lacing system is preferred, when load on compression member is eccentric. Lacing system
may be of single or double lacing.

+
+ + + +
+ +
+ Lace +
Batten
+ +
+
+ +
+ +
+
+
Single Lacing Double Lacing Battening

Design of Lacing System [Refer to cl. 7.6] F

l + Vt

+
+ a1
θ

Single Lacing

Design Steps

i. Find approximate thickness, width and angle of inclination of lace

 Thickness of lace (t) ≤ l/40 for single lace
≤ l/60 for double lace
  Width of lace (b) ≤ Three times the diameter of bolt

 Angle of inclination of lace (θ) ≥ 400 l - Length of lace between

0
≤ 70 inner bolts/welds

ii. Find force acting on a lace due to the transverse shear of column

F – Axial force developed due to transverse shear, which may be tensile or

compressive in nature depending upon the direction of transverse
shear
Vt – Transverse shear; Vt = 2.5 % of axial compressive load on member
N – Number of lace in a level resisting the transverse shear

N = 2 for single lace on both faces of column

= 4 for double lace on both faces of column

iii. Check unsupported length of compression member between laces

a1 – Unsupported length of individual member of column

r1 – Minimum radius of gyration of individual member of column

iv. Check slenderness of lace

⁄ ⁄

– Effective length of lace

– Length of lace between inner ends of bolts/welds

r – Radius of gyration of lace;

⁄
√

v. Design connection of lace

 Where,

– Number of bolts require for connection

– Throat thickness of weld

r –Radius of gyration of lace; ⁄
√

vi. Check lace for axial force (F) developed due to transverse shear

Design of Battening System [Refer to cl. 7.7]

Vb

M d – Effective depth of batten

d ++ ++ Vt
++ lb ++ lb – Length between inner bolts/welds
C S – Distance between c.g. of connection
++ ++ a – Distance between c.g. of individual members of
++ D ++ compression member
S
b – Width of flange of compression member
b
C – Centre to centre distance between battens
r1 – radius of gyration of individual member of
compression member
a
 Design Steps

i. Find thickness, depth and spacing of batten

Thickness of batten (t) ≥ lb/50

Depth of batten (D) = d + 2 × Edge Distance
d ≥ a for end batten
≥ ¾ × a for intermediate batten
≥ 2b for any batten
Spacing of batten (C)
C/r1 ≤ 50 or 0.7 × S.R. of compression member
ii. Find the forces subjected to batten due to transverse shear
Vb– Longitudinal shear developed due to transverse shear
Vt – Transverse shear; Vt = 2.5 % of axial compressive load on column

N – Number of battens in a level resisting the transverse shear

N = 2 for both faces of column
M – Moment developed due to transverse shear

iii. Design connection of batten

Connection of batten is subjected to longitudinal shear V b and twisting moment M. So
connection is designed as eccentric connection, where load lies on the plane of
connection.

iv. Check batten for shear stress developed due to longitudinal shear and bending stress
developed due to bending moment.

check for longitudinal shear

√

check for bending moment

6.5 Design of eccentrically loaded column [Refer to cl. 9.3]

When column is subjected to axial load and bending moment or subjected to eccentric
load, column is treated as eccentrically loaded column. In the design of eccentrically
loaded column, column shall be checked for its section strength which is governed by
material failure and member strength as governed by buckling failure.
Design for Section Strength

To meet the section strength requirement of column, following condition shall be

satisfied.

⁄ ⁄ ⁄

Design for Member Strength

To meet the member strength requirement of column, following conditions shall be

satisfied.

⁄ ⁄ ⁄

⁄ ⁄ ⁄

( )

( )

( )
6.6 Design of Column Bases [Refer to cl. 7.4]

Steel plate or steel plate with steel angles provided at the base of column is column
base. Column base holds the column in its position, connects the column with the
structure’s foundation and facilitates smooth transfer of loads from column to the
foundation. Depending upon the nature and magnitude of applied loads, normally
column bases may be
I. Axially loaded column bases
II. Eccentrically loaded column bases

I. Axially loaded column bases

Column base subjected to axial load and transverse shear is axially loaded
column bases. Such bases are designed for axial load and transverse shear.
Axially loaded column bases may be slab base and gusseted slab base.

a. Slab base

In slab base, base plate with cleat angles are provided at the end of column. Slab
base is connected with foundation by anchor bolts. Slab base is suitable for
lightly loaded column.

Column
Cleat angle

Base plate
t
RC footing
RC footing
Anchor Bolt

B
Cleat Angle
a
L
Design Steps

i. Find the area (A) and size ( L and B) of base plate

⁄

L = B for square base plate

( )

ii. Find the thickness (t) of base plate (Refer to cl.7.4.3.1)

√ ( ) ⁄

iii. Design connection between column and base plate and base plate and footing

Connection of cleat angle and flange of column is designed for the loads coming
from the column. If end of column is properly milled, 50 % of loads of column
are transferred through connection of cleat angle and flange of column. If end of
column is not properly milled, 100 % of loads of column are transferred through
connection. Connection between cleat angle and base plate and base plate and
foundation are designed for the transverse shear.

iv. Design of cleat angle

Cleat angle is designed as a short column of zero slenderness ratio. It is designed

for the loads coming from column to the connection between cleat angle and
flange of column.

b. Gusseted Slab Base

In Gusseted Slab Base, base plate with gusset plates and gusset angles are
provided at the end of column. It is connected to foundation by fixing anchor
bolts. Gusseted Slab Base is suitable for heavily loaded column.
 Column
Gusset plate
x-x
a
Gusset angle
y-y x
Base plate
-– 2a
RC footing

Anchor Bolt

Gusset Angle

Design Steps

i. Find the area (A) and size ( L and B) of base plate

⁄

; L = A/B

( )

ii. Find the thickness (t) of base plate

Thickness of base plate shall resist maximum bending moment developed at critical section
x-x and y-y of base plate. So it is found for maximum BM either of x-x or y-y section.

⁄ ( ) ⁄

⁄ per unit width;

⁄ of base plate
 iii. Design connection between column and base plate and base plate and footing

Connection of cleat angle, gusset plate and flange of column is designed for the
loads coming from the column. If end of column is properly milled, 50 % of loads of
column are transferred through connection. If end of column is not properly milled,
100 % of loads of column are transferred through connection. Connection between
cleat angle, gusset plate and base plate and base plate and foundation are designed
for the transverse shear applied at the end of column.

iv. Design of gusset angle and gusset plate

Gusset angle and gusset plate are designed as a short column of zero slenderness
ratio and checked for bending moment, shear force and buckling. They are
designed for the loads coming from column to the connection between gusset
angle, gusset plate and flange of column.

II Eccentrically loaded column bases

Column base subjected to axial load, bending moment and transverse shear is
eccentrically loaded column base. Gusseted slab base is used for the base of
eccentrically loaded column. Such bases are designed for axial load, bending
moment and transverse shear.

6.7 Column Splice [Refer to cl. 7.3.4]

Column splice is a joint, which is provided when

- Extension of the length of column is necessary
- Changing of the size of column is necessary

Types of Column Splice

Column splices may be
i. Splice of column having complete bearing

Splice plate

Column
 ii. Splice of column having partial bearing
Packing

Splice plate

iii. Splice of column with bearing plate

Packing

Splice plate
Column

Bearing plate

Design Steps

i. Find loads on the connection of splice plate.

If ends of column are not properly milled 100 % of loads of upper column are
transferred through connection of splice. If ends of column are properly milled, 50 %
of loads of upper column are transferred through connection of splice.
ii. Design the connection of splice.
Connection of splice is designed as simple connection for axially loaded column and
as eccentric connection for eccentrically loaded column.
iii. Design splice plate
Splice plate is designed as short column of zero slenderness ratios. Centroidal axis of
splice shall coincide with the centroidal axis of column.
iv. Design bearing plate for splice having bearing plate
Bearing plate is designed as a short simple beam for the loads coming from upper
column.
Design Exercise

1. A compression member made up of angle section is subjected to the design

compressive load of 250 KN. If the effective length of the member is 3 m, Design

i. Discontinuous strut with one angle section

ii. Discontinuous strut with two angle sections placing on the same side of gusset
plate.
iii. Continuous strut with two angle sections placing on the both sides of gusset
plate

2. A built-up steel column is subjected to the design axial load of 1500 KN. If unsupported
length of column is 4.5 m, ends of column are fixed and there is no sway condition,
design the column, when
i. The column is made up of four angle sections placing toe to toe with battening
system.
ii. The column is made up of two channel sections placing back to back with single
lacing system.
iii. The column is made up of two I–sections placing the tips of flanges of I–sections
50 mm apart with double lacing system.

3. Two column sections are to be spliced to make a column of the steel frame. Splice is
subjected to an axial compressive load of 500 KN. Design the splice, if

i. Column sections are ISSC 200 and ends of the sections are not properly milled.
ii. Column sections are ISSC 200 and ISSC 220 and ends of the sections are properly
milled
iii. Column sections are ISSC 100 and ISSC 250 and ends of the sections are properly
milled
iv. Column sections are ISMB 350, ends of the sections are properly milled and
inclusive of axial load, column section is subjected to design moment of 50 KN m
on the plane of column flange.
v. Column sections are ISMB 350, ends of the sections are properly milled and
inclusive of axial load, column section is subjected to design moment of 50 KN m
on the plane normal to column flange.
4. A column ISSC 250 is to transfer the axial compressive load of 600 KN. Design the base
of column, if

i. The end of the column section is not properly milled and base is slab base.
ii. The end of the column section is properly milled, inclusive of axial compressive
load, base is subjected to 60 KN m.
iii. The end of the column section is properly milled and the base is gusseted slab
base
Take design bearing strength of concrete is 18 MPa for all cases.

5. A column is made up of two channel sections of ISMC 350 placing the sections 150
mm apart. Column is 4.5 m high. It is fixed at one end and hinged at other with no
sway condition.

i. Find the load carrying capacity of the column if the channel sections are placed
back to back and braced with lacing system.
ii. Find the load carrying of the column if the channel sections are placed toe to toe
and braced with battening system.

6. Design an external column of a building frame, to take loads of 120 KN, 140 KN and 40
KN from three beams at eccentricities as shown in figure. Load of 300 KN comes to the
column from upper floor. Effective length of column is 3.75 m and the side sway is not
prevented.

Centroidal axis

40KN
80 mm

80 mm
140KN

120KN
20 mm