Design of Compression

Members
Slides prepared by: Joe Davidson B. Guzman
Effect of Bracing and Boundary Conditions
Let’s consider a W-shape column that is
pinned in both ends.
Length of column is 20 ft.
For simplicity, take ,

How will the column buckle?

• Check slenderness values
Would the strong axis WILL govern?
Supposing we added a brace at the
middle of the column about the weak
axis, does this change the controlling
axis?
• Check again the slenderness values
of each column segments.
Would the strong axis WILL govern?
Yes, it is very possible.
Keep in mind, what matters is the largest KL/r,
not the largest r.

Take a look at the example:

• A strong axis is unbraced for a length of 35 ft.
• The weak axis, however, contains intermediate
braces
• This splits the weak-axis into 3 unbraced
segments.

For braced columns, it is possible that is

larger than the controlling , therefore we
would use when computing the capacity.
The column shown has the following properties: Note that we have different
W 14x90 (A992 steel). Fy = 50 ksi. K-values for different
segments along the columns.
We should compute KL/r for
each segment and take the
largest overall.
The column shown has the following properties:
W 14x90 (A992 steel). Fy = 50 ksi.
The column shown has the following properties:
W 14x90 (A992 steel). Fy = 50 ksi.
The column shown has the following properties:
W 14x90 (A992 steel). Fy = 50 ksi.
Column Design Procedures
1. Determine factored load on the column
2. Assume KL/r =50 (or range 40-60) for compression members!
Method 1:
3. Compute for
4. Solve for Required (LRFD and ASD)
5. Select trial section based on the database
6. Analyze the section to test for adequacy
Method 2:
3. Solve for r (from KL/r = 50 assumption)
4. Select trial section based on r
5. Analyze the section to test for adequacy
Using the Column data shown,
Select the lightest W-14 section for column to resist
and . The material is of A992 steel.
Assume the column is fixed at the bottom end and pinned at
the top end.

3m
Using the Column data shown,
Select the lightest W-14 section for column to resist
and . The material is of A992 steel.
Assume the column is fixed at the bottom end and pinned at
the top end.

3m
Using the Column data shown,
Select the lightest W-14 section for column to resist
and . The material is of A992 steel.
Assume the column is fixed at the bottom end and pinned at
the top end.

3m