INTRODUCTORY CONCEPTS

Compression Members: Structural elements that are subjected to axial compressive forces only are called
columns. Columns are subjected to axial loads thru the centroid.
Stress: The stress in the column cross-section can be calculated as 𝐹𝑎 = , where 𝐹𝑎 is assumed to be
uniform over the entire cross-section.
This ideal state is never reached. The stress-state will be non-uniform due to:
- Accidental eccentricity of loading with respect to the centroid
- Member out-of –straightness (crookedness), or
- Residual stresses in the member cross-section due to fabrication processes.

Accidental eccentricity and member out-of-straightness can cause bending moments in the member.
However, these are secondary and are usually ignored.
Bending moments cannot be neglected if they are acting on the member. Members with axial
compression and bending moment are called beam-columns.
 AXIALLY LOADED COLUMNS

A column is a compression member the length of which is several times

greater than its least dimension.
Columns can be classified as short or long depending on the value of its
slenderness ratio. When the slenderness ratio is less than a certain
limiting value, the column is considered short and it fails by crushing;
otherwise, it is a long column and fails by stresses that result from
bending or buckling.
The limiting slenderness ratio can be determined using the Euler’s
formula:
 2E
From   2
(Euler' s Formula)
 Le 
 
 r 

 2E
limiting slenderness ratio 
 yp

EULER'S CRITICAL LOAD

-The compressive load at which a slender column will suddenly bend or
buckle. It is given by the formula:

The following assumptions are made while

deriving Euler's formula:
• The material of the column is homogeneous and isotropic.
• The compressive load on the column is axial only.
• The column is free from initial stress.
• The weight of the column is neglected.
• The column is initially straight (no eccentricity of the axial load).
• Pin joints are friction-less (no moment constraint) and fixed ends
are rigid (no rotation deflection).
• The cross-section of the column is uniform throughout its length.
• The direct stress is very small as compared to the bending stress
(the material is compressed only within the elastic range of strains).
• The length of the column is very large as compared to the cross-
sectional dimensions of the column.
Fig. 1: Critical stress vs slenderness ratio for steel, for
• The column fails only by buckling. This is true if the compressive
E = 200 GPa, yield strength = 240 MPa.
stress in the column does not exceed the yield strength.
 EULER'S CRITICAL LOAD
-The compressive load at which a slender column will suddenly bend or
buckle. It is given by the formula:

As indicated in the graph, the kL  2E P  2 Er 2

when  , 
Euler’s formula is applicable only r  yp A le
for kL/r value not less than the
 2E I
limiting slenderness ratio:  2
r
 Le  A
 
 r 
 2 EI
P 2
le

On the other hand, when kL/r value is less than the limiting slenderness
ratio, the allowable axial stress at the proportional limit is simply equal
to the axial load divided by the cross-sectional area of the member

kL  2E
when  Fig. 1: Critical stress vs slenderness ratio for steel, for
r  yp
E = 200 GPa, yield strength = 240 MPa.
P

A

AISC Specifications
Limiting Slenderness Ratio
2 2 E
cc 
Fy

Le Le
If  Cc (Intermediate Column) If  Cc (Long Column)
r r
  Le  2  12 2 E
    F Fa  2
r
Fa  1   2  L 
y
23 e 
 2Cc  FS  r 
 
  For both cases
3
L  L  P
3 e   e  Fa 
5  r   r  A
Where FS    3
3 8Cc 8Cc
 AISC Specifications
Limiting Slenderness Ratio
2 2 E
cc 
Fy

Le Le
If  Cc (Intermediate Column) If  Cc (Long Column)
r r
  Le  2  12 2 E
    F Fa  2
r
Fa  1   2  L 
y
23 e 
 2Cc  FS  r 
 
  For both cases
3
L  L  P
3 e   e  Fa 
5  r   r  A
Where FS    3
3 8Cc 8Cc

COLUMN BUCKLING

What is buckling?
Buckling occurs when a straight column subjected to
axial compression suddenly undergoes bending as
shown in the Figure. Buckling is identified as a failure
limit-state for columns.
 BUCKLING FACTORS (K)

Analysis of axially loaded column using AISC Specifications

Solution
1. Locate the centroid of the section A y   ay
2. Compute the least moment of inertia I   (I  Ad 2 )
I
3. Solve for the least radius of gyration r 
A
Le
4. Solve for the slenderness ratio L e  kL,
r
2 2 E
5. Solve for CC 
Fy
 Analysis of axially loaded column using AISC Specifications

Le Le
6. If  Cc (Intermediate Column) If  Cc (Long Column)
r r
  Le  2  12 2 E
    F Fa  2
r
Fa  1   2   Le 
y
23 
 2Cc  FS  r 
 
 
3
L  L  7. Solve for column Capacity
3 e   e 
5 r r PC  AFa  P
Where FS       3
3 8Cc 8Cc

SAMPLE PROBLEM 1

Find the maximum axial load that the W200 x 46 column can safely carry if its effective length
is 6m. Fy = 248 MPa and E = 200 GPa.
Section Properties 2 2 E 2 2 200000
Le 6000 Cc   Cc  126.17
A = 5860 mm2   117.42 F 248
I = 15.3 x 106 mm4 r 51.1 y

r = 51.1 mm Le
 Cc
r

L L
3( e ) 1( e ) 3
5 r  r 5 3(117 .42 ) 1(117 .42 ) 3
FS   3
    1.91
3 8C c 8C c 3 8(126 .17 ) 8(126 .17 ) 3
 Le 2 
 ( )  Fy  (117.42) 2  248 73.61
Fa  1  r 2   1    73.61MPa P  AFa  5860  431.35kN
 2Cc  FS  2(126.17) 2  1.91 1000
 
 SAMPLE PROBLEM 2

A W 310 x 118 section with a length of 8.0 m is used as a column. Determine the safe axial
load the column can carry using AISC specifications with Fy = 345 MPa when:
a) column ends are fixed
b) one end of the column is fixed; the other free

Properties of W 310 x 118

A = 15000 mm²
rx = 136 mm
ry = 77.6 mm

SOLUTION TO SAMPLE PROBLEM NO.2

column ends are fixed
k  0.5, L e  0.5(8000 )  4000 mm
Le 4000
  51 .55
r 77 .6
2 2 E 2 2 200000
Cc    106 .97
Fy 345
L L
3( e ) 1( e ) 3
5 r 5 3(51 .55 ) 1(51 .55 ) 3
FS    r3     1.83
3 8C c 8C c 3 8(106 .97 ) 8(106 .97 ) 3
 Le 2 
 ( r )  Fy  (51 .55 ) 2  345
Fa  1     1    166 .63 MPa
 2C c2  FS  2(106 .97 ) 2  1 .83
 
166 .63
P  AFa  15000  2499 .5kN
1000
 SOLUTION TO SAMPLE PROBLEM NO.2

One end fixed, one end free Le

 Cc (Long Column)
k  2.0, L e  2.0(8000 )  16000 mm r
Le 16000 12 2 E 12 2 200000
  206 .18 Fa  2
  24.23MPa
r 77 .6  Le  23( 206.18) 2
23 
2 2 E 2 2 200000  r 
Cc    106 .97
Fy 345 24.23
PC  15000  363.4kN
1000

SAMPLE PROBLEM 3

A W 530 x 290 section with 180 mm x 20 mm plate placed on the top of the flange as shown
is used as a column with a length of 8.0 m Determine the safe axial load the column can
carry using AISC specifications with Fy = 345 MPa when: a) column ends are fixed b) column
ends are hinged.

Section Properties:
W530 x 290
A = 9484 mm2 Ix = 4.096 x 108 mm4
d = 529 mm Sx = 1.54 x 106 mm3
tw = 9.65 mm rx = 134 mm
bf = 166 mm ry = 77mm
tf = 16.51 mm Sy = 4.78 x 105 mm3
Iy = 39.67 x 106 mm4
 SAMPLE PROBLEM 4

A built-up section consisting of W350x90 with two 12mm plates to form a box section as shown. The
column is fixed at both ends, and braced at mid height about the weak axis (Y-axis). Use Fy = 248 Mpa.

Properties of W350x90:
bf = 250 mm Ix = 266x106 mm4
d = 350 mm Iy = 44.54x106 mm4
tf = 16.4 mm A = 11,550 mm2
tw = 9.5 mm

Determine the following:

a) Effective slenderness ratio of the column with respect to
lateral buckling about the x-axis.
b) Effective slenderness ratio of the column with respect to
lateral buckling about the y-axis.
c) Axial load capacity of the column in kN using NSCP.

SAMPLE PROBLEM 5

A compression member of a steel truss 3m long consist of 2 angles 150x100x10mm with long legs back
to back space at 10 mm apart.

Properties of one angle:

Ix = 5.58 x 106 mm4 Iy = 2.20 x106 mm 4
x = 23.75 mm y = 48.75 mm
A = 2400 mm2 Fy = 230 Mpa
E = 200,000 Mpa

Assuming that the ends are hinged and using NSCP

specification, determine the following:
a) Allowable axial stress
b) Safe axial load that the member could carry
c) Long legs back to back spacing to be equally strong at both
axes.
 COLUMN
BASE PLATES
Steel columns are placed on some type of
supporting member or by a concrete footing. A base plate is
necessary when a steel terminates on any reinforces
concrete footing to spread the high intensity of stress in the
steel to a value that can be safely carried by the reinforce
concrete footing.

In the design of column base plates, it is assumed

that the column load is uniformly distributed within a
rectangle whose dimensions are 95% of the depth and 80%
of the flange width of the column section and that the base
plate to have a uniform bearing pressure on the foundation.

EQUATIONS
 EQUATIONS

SAMPLE PROBLEM

A W360 x 110column carries an axial load of 1560 kN. A rectangular base is required to support this
column. Assume that the base plate will cover the full area of concrete pier with fc’ = 20.7 MPa.
Use A 36 steel Fy = 248 MPa.

Properties:
d = 360 mm
bf = 256 mm
tf = 19.9 mm

a) Determine the length N of the base plate.

b) Determine the width B of the base plate.
c) Determine the thickness of the base plate.
 SOLUTION
Given:
A 36 steel Fy = 248 MPa.
d = 360 mm Length 𝑁 of the base plate
bf = 256 mm
tf = 19.9 mm

Solve for the required area:

Solve for the Area of column base:

Compute for N:

SOLUTION
Given:
A 36 steel Fy = 248 MPa.
d = 360 mm Width 𝐵 of the base plate
bf = 256 mm
tf = 19.9 mm
 SOLUTION
Given:
A 36 steel Fy = 248 MPa.
d = 360 mm Thickness 𝑡 of the base plate.
bf = 256 mm
tf = 19.9 mm

Use the largest value in computing for 𝑡, n = 100.1