Compression Members

NCE 511 – 1CE

 Compression Members
Compression Members are structural elements that are subjected only to axial compressive forces.

Failure Modes or Limit States:

1. Yielding/ Crushing – Short Columns
2. Buckling – Long Columns

Buckling Yielding
 Compression Members
Critical Buckling Load / Euler Buckling Load:
Compression Members
Compression Members

Column Strength Curve

 Compression Members
Nominal Compressive Strength:
 Code Provision
NSCP 2015:
For members where:
without slender
elements
Compression Members
Local Instability of Compression Member
This type of instability is a localized buckling or wrinkling at an isolated location. If this occur, the
cross-section is no longer fully effective, and the member has failed.
AISC Table B4.1a
Example
A W14x74 of A992 Steel has a length of 20 feet and pinned ends. Compute the design
compressive strength for LRFD.
Example
A W12 x 58, 24 feet long column is pinned at both ends and braced in the weak direction at the third
points, as shown. A992 Steel is used. Determine the available compressive strength.
Example
Select the lightest A992 W-shape column to carry an axial dead looad of 140 kips and live load of 420 kips.
The column is 30ft long and is pinned top and bottom in both axes. Limit the column size to a nominal 14-
in shape.
Frames

Braced Frames – Lateral Stability is provided by

diagonal bracing, shear walls, or equivalent means.
Vertical columns would have no sideways movement.

Moment or Unbraced frames – lateral stability

depends upon the bending stiffness of rigidity
connected beams and columns.
Effective Length for Frames

Pinned Support
G = 10

Fixed Support
G=1
Effective Length for Frames
Example
The member sizes shown for the moment
frame illustrated here (sidesway uninhibited in
the plane of the frame) have been determined
to be adequate for lateral loads. The material
for both the column and the girders is ASTM
A992. The loads shown at each level are the
accumulated dead loads and live loads at the
story. The column is fixed at the base about the
x-x axis of the column.

Determine if the column is adequate to

support the gravity loads shown. Assume the
column is continuously supported in the
traverse direction (the y-y axis).
 References
 Salmon, C., Johnson, J., and Malhas, F., (2009). Steel Structures: Design and Behavior, 5th Edition
 Segui, W. (2018). Steel Design, 6th Edition
 Association of Structural Engineers of the Philippines (2015). Nationals Structural Code of the Philippines, 7th
Edition