Design of Compression Member -Columns

CENG 417
Typical column sections
Columns in structure
The compression resistance of members is determined by
three properties:
1. Material strength
2. Section classification
3. Member slenderness
Design of I, H, RHS and CHS sections under compressive force (Cl. 4.7)

➢ Determine the effective length (LE) of the member (Clause 4.7.3)

For continuous columns in multi-story buildings of simple design, and for members
in trusses, lattice girders and bracing systems, use Table 22.
➢ Select a trial section and steel grade. Determine design strength py from Table 9.
For welded I, H or box sections, py has to be reduced by 20 N/mm2 from the value
obtained from Table 9.

➢ Calculate slenderness λx = LEx/rx, λy = LEy/ry for major (x-x) & minor (y-y) axis
buckling. (Clause 4.7.2)

➢ Determine the appropriate strut curve from Table 23 based on the axis of buckling
and the maximum thickness of the section.
➢ Go to the correct strut curve (Table 24 ‘a’ to ‘d’) and using appropriate values of
λ and py, determine the critical compressive strength pc.

➢ Calculate the compression resistance using the equation from Cl. 4.7.4.
Pc=Ag pc

➢ Check for local buckling for the applied ultimate load or compressive resistance
(Table 11) then Check against applied ultimate load.
Example 4.1: Design a suitable S275 column to support the ultimate load
shown in the figure for carrying 1400 kN. It is pin-ended about both x-x
and y-y axes and Length of the column is 5 m.
Ultimate Load F = 1400 KN
Effective Length = LE = 1.0 L = 5000 mm

First assume a trail section …… Tray 203x203x86

From property table : T = 20.5 mm , Ag = 11000 mm2, rx =92.7

mm , ry = 53.2 mm t=12.7mm
Determination of design strength py
As t= 12.7 mm <16 mm, web strength, py = 275 N/mm2 ( Table 9)
T=20.5 mm > 16 mm, flange strength, py =265 N/mm2

Therefore, the design strength of the column is py =265 N/mm2

 Check for local buckling
(This should be done by section classification)

275 275
= = = 1.019
py 265

For, flange, b/T = ? <9 =9

Flange is class 1 (plastic)

For, web, d/t =12.7 (from properties table) r2= Fc /(Agpyw ) =1400*1000/(11000*275)
=0.48
120/(1+2r2)=120/(1+2*0..48 )= 62.3 >40 =40.76 Here, Fc=Pc = 1400 kN
d/t < ? , web is class 3 (not slender)

Therefore, there no local buckling occur before failure by axial compressive load.
Slenderness ratio () :
(Clause 4.7.2)
About x-x axis: λx = LEx/rx = 5000/92.7 = 54
About y-y axis: λy = LEy/ry = 5000/53.2 = 94

Maximum, x = 54 and Py = 265 N/mm2 Pc = 223 N/mm3

Maximum, y = 94 and Py = 265 N/mm2 Pc = 133 N/mm3

Therefore Pc for design = 133N/mm2

The compassion resistance Pc =Ag pc = 11000x 133 = 1463 KN >1400 KN

Section 203 x 203 x 86 is adequate .
Example 4.2 Determine the compression resistance of a 5m pin ended column using 35617145 UB,
in S275 steel.

Solution:
Properties of UB from steel section table
Gross cross-sectional area, Ag = 57.3 cm2, web thickness, t = 7 mm and flange thickness,
T =9.7 mm; b/T =8.82; d/t =44.5 , rx = 14.5 cm =145 mm; ry = 3.76 cm =37.6 mm

For both end pin connected, the effective length, LE= 1.0 L = 5 m (Table 22)

Determination of design strength py

As t= 7 mm <16 mm, web strength, py = 275 N/mm2 ( Table 9)
T=9.7 mm <16 mm, flange strength, py =275 N/mm2

Therefore, the design strength of the column is py =275 N/mm2

Slenderness ratio () :

(Clause 4.7.2)
About x-x axis: λx = LEx/rx = 5000/145 = 34.5
About y-y axis: λy = LEy/ry = 5000/37.6 = 132.98

Maximum,  = 132.98 (about y-y axis, minor axis)

Determination of compressive strength, pc : (Clause 4.7.5 )

UB is a rolled I-section and since maximum thickness < 40 mm, from table 23
we refer to strut curve ‘a’ for x-x buckling and strut curve ‘b’ for y-y buckling. (Table 23)

x-x buckling: pc = 264.3 N/mm2 (interpolation) Table 24 (a)

y-y buckling: pc = 91.424 N/mm2 (interpolation) Table 24 (b)
Critical compressive strength pc = 91.43 N/mm2
Compression resistance Pc= Ag pc Clause 4.7.4 (a)
= 5730*91.43*10-3 kN
= 523.9 kN
Check for local buckling
(This should be done by section classification)

275 275
= = =1
py 275
For, flange, b/T =8.82 <9 =9
Flange is class 1 (plastic)
For, web, d/t =44.5 (from properties table) r2= Fc /(Agpyw ) =523.9*1000/(5730*275)
120/(1+2r2)=120/(1+2*0.3325 )=72.072 >40 =40 =0.3325
d/t < 72.072, web is class 3 (not slender) Here, Fc=Pc = 523.9 kN

Therefore, there no local buckling occur before failure by axial

compressive load.
Example 4.3: Determine the compression resistance of a 5m pin fixed
column using 35617145 UB, in S275 steel.

Solution:

Properties of UB from steel section table

Gross cross-sectional area, Ag = 57.3 cm2, web thickness, t = 7 mm and
flange thickness, T =9.7 mm; b/T =8.82; d/t =44.5
rx = 14.5 cm =145 mm; ry = 3.76 cm =37.6 mm

For pin-fixed ends, the effective length, LE = 0.85 L = 0.855 = 4.25 m (Table 22)

Determination of design strength py

As t= 7 mm <16 mm, web strength, py = 275 N/mm2 ( Table 9)
T=9.7 mm <16 mm, flange strength, py =275 N/mm2

Therefore, the design strength of the column is py =275 N/mm2

Slenderness ratio () : (Clause 4.7.2)
About x-x axis: λx = LEx/rx = 4250/145 = 29.31
About y-y axis: λy = LEy/ry = 4250/37.6 = 113.032

Maximum,  = 113.032 (about y-y axis, minor axis)

Determination of compressive strength, pc : (Clause 4.7.5 )

UB is a rolled I-section and since maximum thickness < 40 mm, from table 23
we refer to strut curve ‘a’ for x-x buckling and strut curve ‘b’ for y-y buckling. (Table 23)

x-x buckling: pc = 267.414 N/mm2 (interpolation) Table 24 (a)

y-y buckling: pc = 118.452 N/mm2 (interpolation) Table 24 (b)

Critical compressive strength pc = 118.452 N/mm2

Compression resistance Pc= Ag pc Clause 4.7.4 (a)

= 5730*118.452*10-3 kN
= 678.73 kN
Check for local buckling
(This should be done by section classification)

275 275
= = =1
py 275

For, flange, b/T =8.82 <9 =9

Flange is class 1 (plastic)
r2= Fc /(Agpyw ) =678.73*1000/(5730*275)
=0.73073
For, web, d/t =44.5 (from properties table) Here, Fc =Pc=678.73 kN

120/(1+2r2)=120/(1+2*0.43073 )=64.47 >40 =40

d/t < 64.47, web is class 3 (not slender)

Therefore, there no local buckling occur before failure by axial compressive load.
Example 4.4 Determine the compression resistance of a 5m
fixed- fixed column using 35617145 UB, in S275 steel.

Solution: do by yourself.
[Hints: LE = 0.7 L =0.75 =3.5 m ]
Answer: Compressive capacity, Pc = 881.44 kN.

** Now you can compare the results (Compressive capacity)

for different end conditions.
Example 4.5 Determine the compression resistance of a 5m pin
ended column using 356x171x45 UB, in S275 steel. A lateral
restraint is provided at mid-length about minor axis.

Solution:
Due to lateral restraint against y-y buckling at mid depth, the buckling of the column about major axis
and minor axis will be different as shown in the following figure.
Major Axis Buckling (x-x) Minor Axis Buckling (y-y)

L/2 = 2.5 m

L=5m
Intermediate
lateral restraint
at half-length
L/2 = 2.5 m
The actual length of buckling for x-x axis is 5 m and for y-y axis is 2.5 m.
 Effective length for x-x buckling, LEx = 1.0 5 m=5 m
Table 22
 Effective length for y-y buckling, LEy =1.0 2.5m = 2.5 m

Properties of UB from steel section table

Gross cross-sectional area, Ag = 57.3 cm2, web thickness, t = 7 mm and flange thickness, T =9.7 mm;
b/T =8.82; d/t =44.5
rx = 14.5 cm =145 mm; ry = 3.76 cm =37.6 mm

Determination of design strength py

As t= 7 mm <16 mm, web strength, py = 275 N/mm2 ( Table 9)
T=9.7 mm <16 mm, flange strength, py =275 N/mm2

Therefore, the design strength of the column is py =275 N/mm2

Slenderness ratio () : (Clause 4.7.2)
About x-x axis: λx = LEx/rx = 5000/145 = 34.5
About y-y axis: λy = LEy/ry = 2500/37.6 = 66.45

Maximum,  = 66.45 (about y-y axis, minor axis)

Determination of compressive strength, pc : (Clause 4.7.5 )

UB is a rolled I-section and since maximum thickness < 40 mm, from table 23
we refer to strut curve ‘a’ for x-x buckling and strut curve ‘b’ for y-y buckling. (Table 23)

x-x buckling: pc = 264.3 N/mm2 (interpolation) Table 24 (a)

y-y buckling: pc = 209.55 N/mm2 (interpolation) Table 24 (b)

Critical compressive strength pc = 209.55 N/mm2

Compression resistance Pc= Ag pc Clause 4.7.4 (a)

= 5730*209.55*10-3 kN = 1200.7 kN
 Check for local buckling
(This should be done by section classification)

275 275
= = =1
py 275

For, flange, b/T =8.82 <9 =9

Flange is class 1 (plastic)

For, web, d/t =44.5 (from properties table) r2= Fc /(Agpyw ) =1200.7*1000/(5730*275)
=0.762
120/(1+2r2)=120/(1+2*0.762 )=47.54 >40 =40 Here, Fc=Pc = 1200.7 kN
d/t < 47.54, web is class 3 (not slender)

Therefore, there no local buckling occur before failure by axial compressive load.
Example 4.6: Check the column 356 x 368 x 129 UC, Grade S275 steel selected
for carrying 2500 kN. It is pin-ended about both x-x and y-y axes and the load
is factored and includes self-weight. Length of the column is 6 m.
Solution:

356 x 368 x 129 UC, Grade S275

Flange thickness, T = 17.5 mm, web thickness, t= 10.4 mm
Gross cross sectional area, Ag = 164 cm2,
b/T =10.5 and d/t=27.9
rx = 15.6 cm, ry = 9.43 cm (from properties table)

Determination of design strength py

As t= 10.4 mm <16 mm, web strength, py = 275 N/mm2 ( Table 9)

T=17.5 mm >16 mm, flange strength, py =265 N/mm2 2500 kN

Therefore, the design strength of the column is py =265 N/mm2

 Check for local buckling
(This should be done by section classification)

275
= =
275 = 1.0187
py 265

For, flange, b/T =10.5 <15 =15.2805

Flange is class 3 (semi compact)
r2= Fc /(Agpyw ) =2500*1000/(16400*265)
For, web, d/t =27.9 =0.575
Here, Fc= 2500 kN
120/(1+2r2)=120/(1+2*0.575 )=55.80 >40 =40.75
d/t=27.9 < 55.80, web is class 3 (not slender)

Therefore, there is no local buckling occur before failure by axial compressive load.
Slenderness ratio () :
(Clause 4.7.2)
About x-x axis: λx = LEx/rx = 6000/156 = 38.46
About y-y axis: λy = LEy/ry = 6000/94.3 = 63.63

Maximum,  = 63.63 (about y-y axis, minor axis)

Determination of compressive strength, pc :

(Clause 4.7.5 )

UC is a rolled H-section and since maximum thickness < 40 mm,

For buckling about the x-x axis, use strut curve (b) Table 23
For buckling about the y-y axis, use strut curve (c) Table 23

x-x buckling: for x=38.46, pc = 242.85 N/mm2 (interpolation) Table 24 (b)

y-y buckling: for y=63.63, pc = 188.56 N/mm2 (interpolation) Table 24 (c)
Critical compressive strength pc = 188.56 N/mm2

Compression resistance Pc= Ag pc Clause 4.7.4 (a)

= 16400*188.56*10-3 kN
= 3092.38 kN
Since, Pc >Fc
i.e 3092.38 kN > 2500 kN

Therefore, the column section is satisfactory for the applied ultimate load.
Example 4.7 : The column shown in Figure has length 6 m and axial force
2500 kN as in Example 4.6 with the addition of a tie at mid-height providing
restraint about the y-y axis. Design the column in S275 steel.