End (a (b) (c) (d) (f) (g)

conditions )
buckled shape
of column

Theoretical 0.5 0.7 1.0 1.0 2.0 2.0

k value
Recommended 0.65 0.8 1.0 1.2 2.1 2.0
design k Braced frame member Un-braced frame member
value

For rigid frames, effective length factor may be determined either using the alignment-chart or code’s
empirical formula given in terms of relative stiffness of columns to relative stiffness of beams at both
ends of the column.

2.2.3 Allowable Compressive Stresses of Steel Column

The Euler column stress formula is used to develop the allowable compressive stress of steel column
taking in to account the limiting value of yield stress of steel ‘
Fy ’. It is evident from Euler equation
to note that slenderness ratio of column, l e /r = (k . l)/r would be one of the significant parameters
that determine the allowable strength of column.
AISC specification provides allowable compressive stresses based on Euler column stress formula
depending on slenderness ratio of column as follow:
a) For Intermediate column where
k .l/r ≤ Cc :- the allowable stress is given by
Fy ( k . l/r )2
Fa =
FS
. 1−
[2C 2
c
]
where
Fy --yield stress of steel
2π 2 . E
Cc =
√
Fy --limiting slenderness ratio dividing long and intermediate column
5 3 k . l/r 1 ( k . l/r )
3
23
FS = + − ≤
3 8 Cc 8 C3 12
c
Here, variable safety factors were applied on modified Euler column stress formula depending on
l e /r = (k . l)/r values.
b) For long column where
k .l/r≥Cc :- the allowable stress is the Euler column stress formula
with FS = 23/12 given as
2
12π . E
Fa =
23 ( k .l /r )2
Equation given in (a) and (b) are used for main compression members. Secondary compression
members may be designed for an allowable stress based on the following amplification factors using
1
ψ=

k .l/r > 120,

(1. 6 − 200l/r )
We obtain the allowable design stress either using Eq(a) or Eq(b)
Fa' = Fa ∗ ψ
To reduce length of calculation of allowable stresses of steel column made of A-36 & A-50 steel,
table 3 may be used as given below.

Table 3: Allowable stress values on gross area due to axial compression (ASD-AISC)
[ F a in MPa ,C c ( A−36 ) = 126 . 1C c ( A−50 ) = 107 . 0 ]
k.l 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60
r
A−36 147. 145.9 144. 142.0 139. 137. 135.0 132. 129.5 126. 123. 120.2
F y = 248.2 MPa 5 0 8 5 3 5 4

A−50 204. 201.7 198. 195.1 191. 187. 182.8 178. 173.1 167. 162. 156.6
F y =344 .7 MPa 4 6 3 2 1 9 4

k.l 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100 105 110 115 120

r
A−36 116.8 113.3 109.6 105.9 102.0 97.9 93.8 89.5 85.0 80.5 75.8 70.9
F y = 248.2 MPa
A−50 150.6 144.3 137.8 131.1 124.1 116.8 109.2 101.4 93.3 85.1 77.9 71.5
F y =344 .7 MPa

k.l 125 130 135 140 145 150 155 160 165 170 175 180
r
A−36 65.9 60.9 56.5 52.5 49.0 45.8 42.9 40.2 37.8 35.6 33.6 31.8
F y = 248.2 MPa
A−50 65.9 60.9 56.5 52.5 49.0 45.8 42.9 40.2 37.8 35.6 33.6 31.8
F y =344 .7 MPa

Design a tension member of bridge truss subject to a service design tensile force of
1130kn made of w-310 section connected at end to two gusset plate of 16 mm hick by two
line of 22mm diameter boltes on each flange of w-section (total 4 lines on two flange).
Connection is made through flange of w-section .the length of the member is 8.5 m. there will
be at least three bolt in each line. Check selected section for minimum stiffness criteria
assuming as main tension member Select among w-310 section. W- section and gusset plates
are made of A-36 steel (fy=250mpa & fu=400mpa).