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Compression Members

Department of Civil Engineering | Fall 2016 1 | Design of Steel Structures

Compression members
Compression members
are structural elements that are subjected only to
compression forces, that is, loads are applied along a
longitudinal axis through the centroid of the cross-section.

The stress in the column cross-section can be calculated as

where, f is assumed to be uniform over the entire cross-section.

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Compression members
This ideal state is never realized in practice and some
eccentricity of load is inevitable. Unless the moment is
negligible, the member should be termed a beam-column and
not a column.

Steel compression members include

Building columns
Frame Bracing
Truss members (chords and bracing)
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Compression members

Compression members in buildings Compression members in Equipment's

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Compression members
Commonly used cross-sections

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Compression members
Commonly used cross-sections

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Compression members
If the axial load P is applied slowly, it will ultimately become
large enough to cause the member to become unstable and
assume the shape shown by the dashed line.

Department of Civil Engineering | Fall 2016 7 | Design of Steel Structures

Compression members
The member has then buckled and the corresponding load

is termed as the critical buckling load (also known as Euler

buckling load) which is given by

2 2
= or =
2 / 2

where

I = moment of inertia about axis of buckling

K = effective length factor based on end boundary conditions

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Compression members
Effective length factors are given in Table C-C21 of the AISC
manual.

Department of Civil Engineering | Fall 2016 9 | Design of Steel Structures

Example 1

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Example 1 - Solution

Department of Civil Engineering | Fall 2016 11 | Design of Steel Structures

Compression members
AISC Specifications for compression members:

The nominal compressive strength is given by

=

According to LRFD

where: = sum of factored loads

= resistance factor for compression = 0.90

= design compressive strength

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Compression members

When 4.71

= 0.658

When > 4.71

= 0.877

Department of Civil Engineering | Fall 2016 13 | Design of Steel Structures

Compression members
2
where =
/ 2

1.0
Fcr =
Fy

0.658 Fe F
y
Fcr/F y

0.39 F cr = 0.877Fe

E KL
4.71
Fy r

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Example 2
A W14 x 74 of A992 steel has a length of 20 feet and pinned
ends. Compute the design compressive strength for LRFD.

Department of Civil Engineering | Fall 2016 15 | Design of Steel Structures

Example 2 - Solution
1 x 20 x12
= = 96.77
2.48

29000
4.71 = 4.71 =113
50

Since 4.71

Therefore

= 0.658
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Example 2 - Solution

= 0.658

where

2 2 29000
= = = 30.56ksi
/ 2 96.77 2

Therefore

50
= 0.658 = 0.65830.56 50

= 25.21ksi
Department of Civil Engineering | Fall 2016 17 | Design of Steel Structures

Example 2 - Solution
The nominal compressive strength is given by
=
= 25.21 x 21.8
= 549.6

According to LRFD

= 0.90 x 549.6

= 495ksi

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Example 3
Compute the design compressive strength for of a axially
loaded column shown in the Figure. = 50 ksi

Department of Civil Engineering | Fall 2016 19 | Design of Steel Structures

Example 3 -Solution
From AISC steel manual for W12 x 72, A = 21.1inch2 , =
5.31inch, y = 3.04 inch

0.80 x 15 x12
= = 47.37
3.04

Based on from values of can be found from Table 4-22

(AISC Manual 13th Edition)

= 36.07ksi

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Example 3 -Solution
= 36.07ksi
=
= 36.07 x 21.1
Pu = 761.1 K

Alternatively,

Pu can be also calculated directly from Table 4-1 AISC manual,

= 0.8 x 15 =12 ft

From Table 4-1, Pu = 761 K

Department of Civil Engineering | Fall 2016 21 | Design of Steel Structures

Example 4
Determine the design strength of the axially loaded column as
shown in Figure if Kl = 19ft and 50ksi steel is used.

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Example 4 - Solution

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Local Instability
It is possible for thin flanges or webs of a column to buckle
locally in compression well before the calculated buckling
strength of the whole member is reached.

When thin plates are used to carry compressive stresses they

are particularly susceptible to buckling about their weak axes
due to the small amount of inertia in those direction.

This type of instability is localized buckling at an isolated

location.

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Local Instability

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Local Instability

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Local Instability
The LRFD specification provides limiting values for the
widththickness ratios of the individual parts of compression
members.

Two types of elements must be considered: unstiffened

elements, which are unsupported along one edge parallel to
the direction of load, and stiffened elements, which are
supported along both edges.

Department of Civil Engineering | Fall 2016 27 | Design of Steel Structures

Local Instability

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Local Instability

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Local Instability

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Classification of Sections for

Local Buckling
Sections are classified as compact, noncompact, or slender-
element sections.

For a section to qualify as compact its flanges must be

continuously connected to the web or webs and the width-
thickness ratios of its compression elements must not exceed
the limiting width-thickness ratios p from Table B4.1.

Department of Civil Engineering | Fall 2016 31 | Design of Steel Structures

Classification of Sections for

Local Buckling
If the width thickness ratio of one or more compression
elements exceeds p, but does not exceed r from Table B4.1,
the section is noncompact.

If the width-thickness ratio of any element exceeds r, the

section is referred to as a slender-element section.

For local buckling, refer to section B4 of LRFD manual.

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Department of Civil Engineering | Fall 2016 35 | Design of Steel Structures

Example 5
Investigate W14 x 74 section for local instability ( = 50ksi)

Solution:

For unstiffened elements of W14 x 74

From Table 1-1:

= 6.41
2

And form Table B4.1:

r = 0.56

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Example 5

r = 0.56

29000
r = 0.56
50

r = 13.56

Since r > local instability is ok for unstiffened element (i.e.
2

flanges)

Department of Civil Engineering | Fall 2016 37 | Design of Steel Structures

Example 5
For stiffened elements of W14 x 74

From Table 1-1:

= 25.4

And form Table B4.1:

r = 1.49

29000
r = 1.49
50

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Example 5
29000
r = 1.49
50

r = 35.9

Since r > local instability is ok for stiffened element (i.e.

web)

Thus W14 x 74 section with = 50ksi is safe for local

buckling.

Department of Civil Engineering | Fall 2016 39 | Design of Steel Structures

Example 6
Investigate W24 x 62 section for local instability if

(a) = 36ksi

(b) = 50ksi

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Example 7

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Example 7

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Design of columns
For shapes not in the column load tables, a trial and error
approach must be used.

The procedure is to assume a shape and then compute its

strength.

If the strength is too small (unsafe) or too large

(uneconomical), another trail must be made.

Department of Civil Engineering | Fall 2016 43 | Design of Steel Structures

Example 8
Select a W18 shape of A992 steel that can resist a service dead
load of 100kips and a service live load of 300kips. The effective
length is 26feet.

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Example 8 - Solution
Pu = 1.2 (DL) + 1.6 (LL)

Pu = 1.2 (100) + 1.6 (300)

Pu = 600kips

Step 1: Assume Fcr

Assume Fcr = 33ksi

Department of Civil Engineering | Fall 2016 45 | Design of Steel Structures

Example 8 - Solution
600
= = = 20.2 inch2
0.9 x 33

Step 2: Select section

Try a W18 x 17

= 20.8 inch2 > 20.2 inch2 (ok)

26 x12
= = 183.5
1.70

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Example 8 - Solution
26 x12
= = 183.5
1.70

29000
4.71 = 4.71 =113
50

Since > 4.71 , therefore

= 0.877

Department of Civil Engineering | Fall 2016 47 | Design of Steel Structures

Example 8 - Solution
= 0.877

2 2 29000
Where = = = 8.5ksi
/ 2 183.5 2

= 0.877
= 0.877 x 8.5

= 7.455 ksi

= = 0.9 x 7.455 x 20.8 = 140kips < 600kips

(unsafe) [try another section and repeat same procedure]

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Effective lengths in different

directions

Department of Civil Engineering | Fall 2016 49 | Design of Steel Structures

Effective lengths in different

directions
For the Figure shown in the previous slide:

If the member were to buckle about the x-axis the effective

length would be equal to 12 feet.

If the member were to buckle about the y-axis the effective

length would be equal to 24 feet.

As the strength of decreases with increasing , a column will

buckle in the direction corresponding to the largest slenderness

ratio.
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Example 9

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Example 9 - Solution

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Notes on column load tables

The column load tables are based on the effective length with
respect to y-axis.

Therefore the tabulated values of KL is equal to KyL.

If the capacity with respect to x axis buckling is desired, the

table can be entered as

KxL
KL =

Department of Civil Engineering | Fall 2016 53 | Design of Steel Structures

Notes on column load tables

KxL
KL =

Therefore the tabulated load will be based on

KxL

KL KxL
= =

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Example 10

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Example 10 - Solution

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Example 10 - Solution

Department of Civil Engineering | Fall 2016 57 | Design of Steel Structures

Flexural-Torsional Buckling
When an axially loaded compression member becomes unstable
(i.e. not locally unstable, it can buckle in one of three ways as
shown in Figures below:

Flexural buckling Torsional buckling Flexural-Torsional buckling

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Flexural-Torsional Buckling
Flexural buckling: It is a deflection due to bending about the
axis corresponding to largest slenderness ratio. This is usually the
minor principal axis with the smallest radius of gyration. The
doubly symmetric wide-flange (I-shaped) sections and channel
sections always fail by flexural buckling.

Torsional buckling: It is caused due to twisting about the

longitudinal axis of the member. It can only occur with doubly
symmetric cross sections with very slender cross section elements
(very rare).
Department of Civil Engineering | Fall 2016 59 | Design of Steel Structures

Flexural-Torsional Buckling
Flexural-Torsional buckling: It is caused by combination of
flexural and torsional buckling. The member bends and twists
simultaneously. This type of failure can occur only with
unsymmetrical cross sections, both those with one axis of
symmetry such as channels, structural tees etc. and also with no
axis of symmetry such as unequal legs and single angles.

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Flexural-Torsional Buckling

Department of Civil Engineering | Fall 2016 61 | Design of Steel Structures

Flexural-Torsional Buckling
AISC Specifications E4 (b)
The AISC approach is based on determining the value of Elastic
Critical Stress, Fe

Fe for Flexural Buckling (AISC Equation E3-4)

2
= 2
/

Fe for Torsional Buckling (AISC Equation E4-4)

2 1
= 2
+
+
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Flexural-Torsional Buckling
AISC Specifications E4 (b)
Fe for Flexural-Torsional Buckling for singly symmetrical
shapes and y is the axis of symmetry (AISC Equation E4-5)

+ 4
= 1 1 2
2 +

In AISC Equations E4-4 and E4-5, the z-axis is the longitudinal

axis.
Department of Civil Engineering | Fall 2016 63 | Design of Steel Structures

Flexural-Torsional Buckling
AISC Specifications E4 (b)
Fe for Flexural-Torsional Buckling with no axis symmetry
(AISC Equation E4-6). These types of shapes are rarely used for
compression members.

2
2

2
2 = 0

The above equation is a cubic; is the smallest root.

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Flexural-Torsional Buckling
AISC Specifications E4 (b)
The terms used in above Equations E4-4, 4-5 & 4-6 are defined
as

= wrapping constant (in.6)

= effective length factor for torsional buckling, which is based

on the amount of end restraint against twisting about the
longitudinal axis

= shear modulus (ksi) =11200 ksi for structural steel

= torsional constant (in.4)

Department of Civil Engineering | Fall 2016 65 | Design of Steel Structures

Flexural-Torsional Buckling
AISC Specifications E4 (b)
2
= AISC Equation E4-9
/ 2

2
= 2 AISC Equation E4-10
/

Where y is the axis of symmetry for singly symmetrical shapes.

2 1
= + AISC Equation E4-11
2 2

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Flexural-Torsional Buckling
AISC Specifications E4 (b)
2 + 2
=1 AISC Equation E4-8
2

Where z is the longitudinal axis and , are the coordinates of

the shear center of the cross section with respect to the centroid
(in inches).

+
2 = 2 + 2 + AISC Equation E4-7

Department of Civil Engineering | Fall 2016 67 | Design of Steel Structures

Flexural-Torsional Buckling of
Double angles and Tees AISC
Specifications E4 (a)
The procedure for flexural-torsional buckling analysis of Double
angles and Tees given in E4(a) is a modification of procedure
given in E4 (b). Some of notations are also changed as shown
below
E4 (b) E4 (a)

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Flexural-Torsional Buckling of
Double angles and Tees AISC
Specifications E4 (a)
can be calculated by dropping first term of Equation E4-11,
as it is negligible for Double angles and Tees, therefore

= AISC Equation E4-3
2

The flexural buckling stress is computed with the usual

equation of AISC Equations E3, using k/ corresponding to the
y-axis (the axis of symmetry)
Department of Civil Engineering | Fall 2016 69 | Design of Steel Structures

Flexural-Torsional Buckling of
Double angles and Tees AISC
Specifications E4 (a)
The nominal compressive strength is given by

= , where

+ 4
= 1 1 2
2 +

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Example 11
Compute the compressive strength of a WT12 X 81 of A992 steel
using AISC Specifications

(i) E4 (b)

(ii) E4 (a)

The effective length with respect to the x-axis is 25 feet 6 inches,

with respect to the y-axis is 20 feet and with respect to z-axis is 20
feet.

Department of Civil Engineering | Fall 2016 71 | Design of Steel Structures

Example 11 Solution E4(b)

Step 1: Compute the flexural buckling strength for the x-axis

If 4.71 then = 0.658

If > 4.71 then = 0.877

2
Where =
/ 2

The nominal compressive strength is given by =

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Example 11 Solution E4(b)

25.5 x12
= = 87.43
3.50

29000
4.71 = 4.71 =113
50

since < 4.71 , therefore = 0.658

2 2 x 29000
= = = 37.44 ksi
/ 2 87.43 2

Department of Civil Engineering | Fall 2016 73 | Design of Steel Structures

Example 11 Solution E4(b)

50
= 0.658
50
= 0.65837.44 50

= 28.59 ksi

The nominal compressive strength is given by

=
= 28.59 x 23.9
= 683. 3

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Example 11 Solution E4(b)

Step 2: Compute the flexural-torsional buckling strength about the
axis of symmetry

2 +
= 2 , , , 2 = 2 + 2 + ,
/

2 1 2 + 2
= + , =1
2 2 2

+ 4
= 1 1 2
2 +

Department of Civil Engineering | Fall 2016 75 | Design of Steel Structures

Example 11 Solution E4(b)

Step 2: Compute the flexural-torsional buckling strength about the
axis of symmetry

20 x12
= = 78.69
3.05

2 2 29000
= 2 = = 46.22 ksi
/ 78.69 2

Because the shear centre of a tee is located at the intersection of

the centre lines of the flange and the stem, therefore

= 0

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Example 11 Solution E4(b)

=
2

1.22
= 2.70
2

= 2.090 in.

+
2 = 2 + 2 +

293+221
2 = 0 + 2.0902 +
23.9

2 = 25.87 in.2

Department of Civil Engineering | Fall 2016 77 | Design of Steel Structures

Example 11 Solution E4(b)

2 1
= +
2 2

2 x 29000 x 43.8 1
= 2
+ 11200 x 9.22
20 x 12 23.9 x 25.87

= 167.4 ksi

2 + 2
=1
2

0+2.0902
=1 = 0.8312
25.87

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Example 11 Solution E4(b)

46.22 + 167.4 4 x 46.22 x 167.4 x 0.8312
= 1 1
2 x 0.8312 46.22 + 167.4 2

= 43.63 ksi

To determine which compressive strength to use, compare this

value of with

0.44 = 0.44 x 50 = 20 ksi

Since 43.63 ksi > 22 ksi, use = 0.658

Department of Civil Engineering | Fall 2016 79 | Design of Steel Structures

Example

11 Solution E4(b)

= 0.658
50
= 0.65837.44 50

= 30.95 ksi

The nominal compressive strength is given by

= = 30.95 x 23.9 = 739.7 kips.

Therefore the flexural strength controls, and the nominal

compressive strength is 683.3 kips and the design compressive
strength according to LRFD is 0.9 x 683.3 = 615 kips
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Example 11 Solution E4(a)

From solution E4 (b);

= 78.69

2 = 25.87 in.2

= 0.8312

Computing using Equation E3-4

2 2 x 29000
= = = 46.22 ksi
/ 2 78.69 2

Department of Civil Engineering | Fall 2016 81 | Design of Steel Structures

Example 11 Solution E4(a)

since < 4.71 = 113, therefore

= 0.658
50
= 0.65846.22 50

= 31.79 ksi

11200 X 9.22
= = =167.0 ksi
2 23.9 x 25.87

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Example 11 Solution E4(a)

+ 4
= 1 1 2
2 +

167+ 31.79 4 x 31.79 x 167 x 0.8312

= 1 1 2
2 x 0.8312 167+ 31.79

= 30.63 ksi

The nominal compressive strength is given by

= = 30.63 x 23.9 = 732.1 kips.

Department of Civil Engineering | Fall 2016 83 | Design of Steel Structures

Example 11 Solution E4(a)

Therefore the flexural strength controls, and the nominal
compressive strength is 683.3 kips and the design compressive
strength according to LRFD is 0.9 x 683.3 = 615 kips

Conclusion:

The flexural-torsional buckling strength from E4(a) and E4(b)

show that the general approach E4(b) is on the unconservative
side. Therefore E4(a) should always be used for Double angles
and Tees.
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