Lecture 3:

Axially Loaded Compression

Members

CE 2212
Principles of Steel Design

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 Compression Members

are structural elements that are subjected to AXIAL COMPRESSIVE

FORCES.

Compression members are found in:

Truss members for Bridges Truss members for Roofs

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 Towers / Transmission Towers Columns in Steel Structures
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 Columns in Steel Structures
Columns/ Towers in Suspension Bridges
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 Columns and Girders in Cable-Stayed Bridges

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 Compression Member Design (Axially Loaded
Columns)
In an axially loaded column, the load is applied at the centroid of the
section and in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the
column. The terms centrally loaded and concentrically loaded are also
used for axially loaded columns. An axially loaded column as defined
by the structural engineers transmits a compressive force without an
explicit design requirement to carry lateral loads or end moments.

The design of compression members is governed by strength and

buckling.

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 Compression Member Failure
The Modes of failure for members prone to flexural buckling:
1. Yielding
2. Buckling

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 Compressive Stress
The stress in an axially loaded compression member is given by:

where:
P = magnitude of the load
A = cross-sectional area
(the area normal to the load)

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 Critical Compressive Stress
Critical compressive stress is defined as the maximum stress applied before
the beam starts to buckle.
where:
E = modulus of elasticity of steel
K = effective length factor based on end boundary conditions
L = effective / unsupported length at the axis consistent with r.
r = radius of gyration

Or refer to AISC Steel Manual for the

value of radius of gyration (r) of standard
sections. Use smallest value of r.

Higher the kl/r, higher the tendency to fail in buckling

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 ~ summation of
stiffness of the column
~ summation of stiffness
of the beams or girders
where:
Ic = moment of inertia of a column section
Lc = unsupported length of a column section
Ig = moment of inertia of a girder or other
restraining member
Lg = unsupported length of a girder or other
restraining member

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 p. 5-137 AISC ASD Manual 9E
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 Effective Length Factor, K

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 Column Buckling
Euler's critical load is the compressive load (unit: Newton, it is a
force) at which a slender column will suddenly bend or buckle. It
is given by the formula:
Pcr = Fcr * (area of section)

Buckling occurs
when a straight
column subjected to
axial compression where:
suddenly undergoes I = moment of inertia about axis
bending as shown in of buckling
the Figure. K = effective length factor based
on end boundary conditions
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 Problem:
A 3m long A36 (Fy = 248 MPa) steel column is pinned at the top
and bottom. Use Es = 200,000 MPa and section W 6x9 with the
following properties:
Determine the following:
From AISC Steel Manual a.) The mode of failure of the compression
W6x9 member.
b.) The mode of failure of the compression
A = 2.68in2 = 1,729 mm2 member both ends are fixed.
rx = 2.47in = 62.74mm c.) Determine the allowable load if both ends
ry = 0.91in = 23.11mm are pinned using a factor of safety of 2.5.
d.) Determine the allowable load if both ends
are fixed using a factor of safety of 2.5.

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 Solution:
a.) The mode of failure of the compression member.
At Major Axis:
Kl/rx = (1.0) 3000mm / 62.74mm
= 47.82

At Minor Axis: Larger value of Kl/r will govern.

Kl/r = 129.81
Kl/ry = (1.0) 3000mm / 23.11mm
= 129.81

Fcr = π2 (200,000) / (129.81)2

Fcr = 117.14 MPa < Fy = 248 MPa

Buckling!
Refer to the table
Will buckle first
For Effective length factor, K
before yielding!
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 b.) The mode of failure of the compression member
both ends are fixed.
At Major Axis:
Kl/rx = (0.50) 3000mm / 62.74mm
= 23.91
L = 3m At Minor Axis: Larger value of Kl/r will govern.
Kl/r = 64.91
Kl/ry = (0.50) 3000mm / 23.11mm
= 64.91

Fcr = π2 (200,000) / (64.91)2

K Fcr = 468.50 MPa > Fy = 248 MPa

Yielding!
Refer to the table
Will Yield first!
For Effective length factor, K

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 c.) Determine the allowable load if both ends
are pinned using a factor of safety of 2.5.

Pallow. = Fcr * (area of section)

Factor of Safety

From item (a) – Buckling governs

Fcr = 117.14 MPa

Pallow. = 117.14 MPa * (1,729mm2)

2.5

Pallow. = 81.01 KN

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 d.) Determine the allowable load if both ends are
fixed using a factor of safety of 2.5.

Pallow. = Fcr * (area of section)

L= 3m
Factor of Safety

From item (b) – Yielding governs

Fcr = 468.50 MPa Fy = 248 MPa governs

Pallow. = 248 MPa * (1,729mm2)

2.5
K Pallow. = 171.52 KN

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 Problem:

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 Solution:
At Major Axis:
Kl/rx = (0.70) 8000mm
(178.1x106/8129)
= 37.83

At Minor Axis:
Kl/ry = (0.70) 4000mm
(18.8x106/8129)
= 58.22
At Minor Axis:
Kl/ry = (1.0) 4000mm
(18.8x106/8129)
= 83.18

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 At Minor Axis:
Pcr = π2 (200,000) 18.8x106
Pcr = 2,319.36 KN
(1*4000)2

Fcr = 320MPa 320 Mpa = π2 (200,000)

(KL/r)2 Kl/r = 78.54

In problem (a), slenderness at minor axis (pin-pin) governs.

Kl/ry = (1.0) L = 78.54
(18.8x106/8129) L Total = 3.78m * 2
L Total = 7.56m
L = 3.78m

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 Code Provisions for Compressive Strength for Flexural
Buckling Without slender elements (based from NSCP
2015)
Limiting Slenderness Ratio

Allowable Compressive Strength

where:

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 a.) Intermediate Column b.) Long Column

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 Problem:

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 Solution:

Solve for limiting slenderness ratio

= 4.71 (200,000MPa)/(248MPa)
= 133.76

Identify if Intermediate or Long column

At Minor Axis: Kl/ry = 96.62 < 133.76
Kl/ry = (1.0) 6000mm Intermediate Column
(44.54x106/11,550) use
= 96.62

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 Solve for Fe

Kl/ry = 96.62

Fe = π2 (200,000) / (96.62)2 Fcr = [ 0.658 (248/211.44) ] 248 MPa

Fe = 211.44 Fcr = 151.80 MPa

Pn = 151.80 (11,550mm2)
Pn = 1,753.29 KN

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 Where:

Pn = 1,753.29 KN
Pa = 1,753.29 KN / 1.67
Pa = 1,049.87 KN

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 End of Lecture 3

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Engr. Rodelio
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