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I-66

EXAMPLE I.7 FILLED BOX COLUMN WITH NONCOMPACT/SLENDER ELEMENTS

Given:
Determine the required ASTM A36 plate thickness of the 30 ft long, composite box column illustrated in Figure I.7-
1 to resist the indicated axial forces, shears and moments that have been determined in accordance with the direct
analysis method of AISC Specification Chapter C for the controlling ASCE/SEI 7-10 load combinations. The core is
composed of normal weight (145 lb/ft3) concrete fill having a specified concrete compressive strength, f cc = 7 ksi.

LRFD ASD
Pr (kips) 1,310 1,370
Mr (kip-ft) 552 248
Vr (kips) 36.8 22.1

Fig. I.7-1. Composite box column section and member forces.

Solution:

From AISC Manual Table 2-4, the material properties are:

ASTM A36
Fy = 36 ksi
Fu = 58 ksi

Trial Size 1 (Noncompact)

For ease of calculation the contribution of the plate extensions to the member strength will be ignored as illustrated
by the analytical model in Figure I.7-1.

Design Examples V14.2

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Trial Plate Thickness and Geometric Section Properties of the Composite Member

Select a trial plate thickness, t, of a in. Note that the design wall thickness reduction of AISC Specification Section
B4.2 applies only to electric-resistance-welded HSS members and does not apply to built-up sections such as the one
under consideration.

The calculated geometric properties of the 30 in. by 30 in. steel box column are:

B 30.0 in. Ag 900 in.2 Ec wc1.5 f cc

H 30.0 in.
145 lb/ft 
2
Ac 856 in. 3 1.5
7 ksi
bi B  2t 29.25 in. As 44.4 in. 2

hi H  2t 29.25 in. 4, 620 ksi

I gx BH 3 / 12 I cx bi hi 3 / 12 I sx I gx  I cx
67,500 in. 4
61, 000 in. 4
6,500 in.4

Limitations of AISC Specification Sections I1.3 and I2.2a

(1) Concrete Strength: 3 ksi d f cc d 10 ksi

f cc 7 ksi o.k.

(2) Specified minimum yield stress of structural steel: Fy d 75 ksi

Fy 36 ksi o.k.

(3) Cross-sectional area of steel section: As t 0.01Ag

44.4 in. t  0.01  900 in.
2 2

! 9.00 in.
2
o.k.

Classify Section for Local Buckling

Classification of the section for local buckling is performed in accordance with AISC Specification Table I1.1A for
compression and Table I1.1B for flexure. As noted in Specification Section I1.4, the definitions of width, depth and
thickness used in the evaluation of slenderness are provided in Tables B4.1a and B4.1b.

For box columns, the widths of the stiffened compression elements used for slenderness checks, b and h, are equal to
the clear distances between the column walls, bi and hi. The slenderness ratios are determined as follows:

bi
O
t
hi
t
29.25 in.
a in.
78.0

Classify section for local buckling in steel elements subject to axial compression from AISC Specification Table
I1.1A:

Design Examples V14.2

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E
Op 2.26
Fy
29, 000 ksi
2.26
36 ksi
64.1
E
Or 3.00
Fy
29, 000 ksi
3.00
36 ksi
85.1

O p d O d Or
64.1 d 78.0 d 85.1; therefore, the section is noncompact for compression.

According to AISC Specification Section I1.4, if any side of the section in question is noncompact or slender, then
the entire section is treated as noncompact or slender. For the square section under investigation; however, this
distinction is unnecessary as all sides are equal in length.

Classification of the section for local buckling in elements subject to flexure is performed in accordance with AISC
Specification Table I1.1B. Note that flanges and webs are treated separately; however, for the case of a square
section only the most stringent limitations, those of the flange, need be applied. Noting that the flange limitations for
bending are the same as those for compression,

O p d O d Or
64.1 d 78.0 d 85.1; therefore, the section is noncompact for flexure

Available Compressive Strength

Compressive strength for noncompact filled members is determined in accordance with AISC Specification Section
I2.2b(b).

§ E ·
Pp Fy As  C2 f cc ¨ Ac  Asr s ¸ where C2 0.85 for rectangular sections (Spec. Eq. I2-9b)
© Ec ¹

 36 ksi   44.4 in.2   0.85  7 ksi  856 in.2  0 

6, 690 kips
§ E · (Spec. Eq. I2-9d)
Py Fy As  0.7 f cc ¨ Ac  Asr s ¸
© Ec ¹
 36 ksi   44.4 in.2   0.7  7 ksi  856 in.2  0 
5, 790 kips
Pp  Py
2 
O  Op 
2
Pno Pp  (Spec. Eq. I2-9c)
Or  O p 
6, 690 kips  5, 790 kips
 78.0  64.1
2
6, 690 kips 
85.1  64.1
2

6,300 kips

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§ As · (Spec. Eq. I2-13)

C3 0.6  2 ¨ ¸ d 0.9
© Ac  As ¹
§ 44.4 in.2 ·
0.6  2 ¨ 2 ¸
d 0.9
© 856 in.  44.4 in. ¹
2

0.699 d 0.9
EI eff Es I s  Es I sr  C3 Ec I c (Spec. Eq. I2-12)

 29, 000 ksi   6,500 in.4   0.0  0.699  4, 620 ksi   61, 000 in.4 
385, 000, 000 ksi
S2  EI eff  /  KL  where K =1.0 in accordance with the direct analysis method
2
Pe (Spec. Eq. I2-5)
S2  385, 000, 000 ksi 
ª¬ 30.0 ft 12 in./ft  º¼
2

29,300 kips
Pno 6,300 kips
Pe 29,300 kips
0.215  2.25

Therefore, use AISC Specification Equation I2-2.

(Spec. Eq. I2-2)
ª Pno
º
Pn Pno «0.658 Pe »
¬« ¼»
6,300 kips  0.658 
0.215

5, 760 kips

According to AISC Specification Section I2.2b, the compression strength need not be less than that specified for the
bare steel member as determined by Specification Chapter E. It can be shown that the compression strength of the
bare steel for this section is equal to 955 kips, thus the strength of the composite section controls.

The available compressive strength is:

LRFD ASD
Ic 0.75 :c 2.00
Ic Pn 0.75  5, 760 kips  Pn / : c 5, 760 kips/2.00
4,320 kips 2,880 kips

Available Flexural Strength

Flexural strength of noncompact filled composite members is determined in accordance with AISC Specification
Section I3.4b(b):

O  O p 
Mn M p  M p  My  (Spec. Eq. I3-3b)
 Or  O p 
In order to utilize Equation I3-3b, both the plastic moment strength of the section, Mp, and the yield moment
strength of the section, My, must be calculated.

Design Examples V14.2

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Plastic Moment Strength

The first step in determining the available flexural strength of a noncompact section is to calculate the moment
corresponding to the plastic stress distribution over the composite cross section. This concept is illustrated
graphically in AISC Specification Commentary Figure C-I3.7(a) and follows the force distribution depicted in
Figure I.7-2 and detailed in Table I.7-1.

Figure I.7-2. Plastic moment stress blocks and force distribution.

Table I.7-1. Plastic Moment Equations

Component Force Moment Arm
tf
Compression in steel flange C1 bi t f Fy yC1 a p 
2
a p tf
Compression in concrete C2 0.85 f cc  a p  t f  bi yC 2
2
ap
Compression in steel web C3 a p 2tw Fy yC 3
2
H  ap
Tension in steel web T1  H  a p  2tw Fy yT 1
2
tf
Tension in steel flange T2 bi t f Fy yT 2 H  a p 
2
where:
2 Fy Htw  0.85 f ccbi t f
ap
4tw Fy  0.85 f ccbi
Mp ¦  force  moment arm 
Using the equations provided in Table I.7-1 for the section in question results in the following:

2  36 ksi  30.0 in. a in.  0.85  7 ksi  29.25 in. a in.

ap
4  a in. 36 ksi   0.85  7 ksi  29.25 in.
3.84 in.

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Force Moment Arm Force ~ Moment Arm

a in.
C1  29.25 in. a in. 36 ksi  yC1 3.84 in. 
2 C1 yC1 1, 440 kip-in.
395 kips 3.65 in.
3.84 in.  a in.
C2 0.85  7 ksi  3.84 in.  a in. 29.25 in. yC 2
2 C2 yC 2 1, 040 kip-in.
603 kips
1.73 in.
3.84 in.
C3  3.84 in. 2  a in. 36 ksi  yC 3
2 C3 yC 3 200 kip-in.
104 kips
1.92 in.
30.0 in.  3.84 in.
T1  30.0 in.  3.84 in. 2  a in. 36 ksi  yT 1
2 T1 yT 1 9, 250 kip-in.
706 kips 13.1 in.
a in.
yT 2 30.0 in.  3.84 in. 
T2  29.25 in. a in. 36 ksi  2 T2 yT 2 10,300 kip-in.
395 kips 26.0 in.

Mp ¦  force  moment arm 

1, 440 kip-in.  1, 040 kip-in.  200 kip-in.  9, 250 kip-in.  10,300 kip-in.
12 in./ft
1,850 kip-ft

Yield Moment Strength

The next step in determining the available flexural strength of a noncompact filled member is to determine the yield
moment strength. The yield moment is defined in AISC Specification Section I3.4b(b) as the moment corresponding
to first yield of the compression flange calculated using a linear elastic stress distribution with a maximum concrete
compressive stress of 0.7 f cc . This concept is illustrated diagrammatically in Specification Commentary
Figure C-I3.7(b) and follows the force distribution depicted in Figure I.7-3 and detailed in Table I.7-2.

Figure I.7-3. Yield moment stress blocks and force distribution.

Design Examples V14.2

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Table I.7-2. Yield Moment Equations

Component Force Moment Arm
tf
Compression in steel flange C1 bi t f Fy yC1 ay 
2
2  ay  t f 
Compression in concrete C2 0.35 f cc  a y  t f  bi yC 2
3
2a y
Compression in steel web C3 a y 2tw 0.5 Fy yC 3
3
T1 a y 2tw 0.5 Fy 2a y
yT 1
3
Tension in steel web
H
T2  H  2a y  2tw Fy yT 2
2
tf
Tension in steel flange T3 bi t f Fy yT 3 H  ay 
2
where:
2 Fy Htw  0.35 f ccbi t f
ay
4tw Fy  0.35 f ccbi
My ¦  force  moment arm 
Using the equations provided in Table I.7-2 for the section in question results in the following:

2  36 ksi  30.0 in. a in.  0.35  7 ksi  29.25 in. a in.

ay
4  a in. 36 ksi   0.35  7 ksi  29.25 in.
6.66 in.

Force Moment Arm Force ~ Moment Arm

a in.
C1  29.25 in. a in. 36 ksi  yC1 6.66 in. 
2 C1 yC1 2,560 kip-in.
395 kips 6.47 in.
2  6.66 in.  a in.
C2 0.35  7 ksi  6.66 in.  a in. 29.25 in. yC 2
3 C2 yC 2 1,890 kip-in.
450 kips
4.19 in.
2  6.66 in.
C3  6.66 in. 2  a in. 0.5  36 ksi  yC 3
3 C3 yC 3 399 kip-in.
89.9 kips
4.44 in.
2  6.66 in.
T1  6.66 in. 2  a in. 0.5  36 ksi  yT 1
3 T1 yT 1 399 kip-in.
89.9 kips
4.44 in.
30.0 in.
T2 ¬ª30.0  2  6.66 in. ¼º  2  a in. 36 ksi  yT 2
T2 yT 2 6, 750 kip-in.
2
450 kips 15.0 in.
a in.
yT 3 30.0 in.  6.66 in. 
T3  29.25 in. a in. 36 ksi  2 T3 yT 3 9,160 kip-in.
395 kips 23.2 in.

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My ¦  force  moment arm 

2,560 kip-in.  1,890 kip-in.  399 kip-in.  399 kip-in.  6, 750 kip-in.  9,160 kip-in.
12 in./ft
1, 760 kip-ft

Now that both Mp and My have been determined, Equation I3-3b may be used in conjunction with the flexural
slenderness values previously calculated to determine the nominal flexural strength of the composite section as
follows:

O  O p 
Mn M p  M p  M y  (Spec. Eq. I3-3b)
Or  O p 
 78.0  64.1
Mn 1,850 kip-ft  1,850 kip-ft  1, 760 kip-ft 
85.1  64.1
1, 790 kip-ft

The available flexural strength is:

LRFD ASD
Ib = 0.90 :b = 1.67

Ib M n 0.90 1, 790 kip-ft  M n :b 1, 790 kip-ft 1.67

1, 610 kip-ft 1, 070 kip-ft

Interaction of Flexure and Compression

Design of members for combined forces is performed in accordance with AISC Specification Section I5. For filled
composite members with noncompact or slender sections, interaction is determined in accordance with Section H1.1
as follows:

LRFD ASD
Pu 1,310 kips Pa 1,370 kips
Mu 552 kip-ft Ma 248 kip-ft
Pr Pu Pr Pa
Pc Ic Pn Pc Pn / :c
1,310 kips 1,370 kips
4,320 kips 2,880 kips
0.303 t 0.2 0.476 t 0.2

Use Specification Equation H1-1a. Use Specification Equation H1-1a.

Pu 8 § Mu · Pa 8 § Ma ·
 ¨  d 1.0
¸ d 1.0 Pn / :c 9 ¨© M n / :b ¸¹
Ic Pn 9 © Ib M n
¹
1,310 kips 8 § 552 kip-ft · 1,370 kips 8 § 248 kip-ft ·
 ¨  ¨ ¸ d 1.0
¸ d 1.0 2,880 kips 9 © 1, 070 kip-ft ¹
4,320 kips 9 © 1, 610 kip-ft ¹
0.608  1.0 o.k. 0.682  1.0 o.k.

Design Examples V14.2

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The composite section is adequate; however, as there is available strength remaining for the trial plate thickness
chosen, re-analyze the section to determine the adequacy of a reduced plate thickness.

Trial Size 2 (Slender)

The calculated geometric section properties using a reduced plate thickness of t = 4 in. are:

B 30.0 in. Ag 900 in.2 Ec wc1.5 f cc

H 30.0 in.
145 lb/ft 
2
Ac 870 in. 3 1.5
7 ksi
bi B  2t 29.50 in. As 29.8 in. 2

hi H  2t 29.50 in. 4, 620 ksi

I gx BH 3 / 12 I cx bi hi 3 / 12 I sx I gx  I cx
67,500 in. 4
63,100 in. 4
4, 400 in.4

Limitations of AISC Specification Sections I1.3 and I2.2a

(1) Concrete Strength: 3 ksi d f cc d 10 ksi

f cc 7 ksi o.k.

(2) Specified minimum yield stress of structural steel: Fy d 75 ksi

Fy 36 ksi o.k.

(3) Cross sectional area of steel section: As t 0.01Ag

29.8 in.2 t  0.01  900 in.2 
! 9.00 in.2 o.k.

Classify Section for Local Buckling

As noted previously, the definitions of width, depth and thickness used in the evaluation of slenderness are provided
in AISC Specification Tables B4.1a and B4.1b.

For a box column, the slenderness ratio is determined as the ratio of clear distance to wall thickness:

bi
O
t
hi
t
29.5 in.
4 in.
118

Classify section for local buckling in steel elements subject to axial compression from AISC Specification Table
I1.1A. As determined previously, Or = 85.1.

Design Examples V14.2

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E
O max 5.00
Fy
29, 000 ksi
5.00
36 ksi
142
O r d O d O max
85.1 d 118 d 142; therefore, the section is slender for compression

Classification of the section for local buckling in elements subject to flexure occurs separately per AISC
Specification Table I1.1B. Because the flange limitations for bending are the same as those for compression,

O r d O d O max
85.1 d 118 d 142; therefore, the section is slender for flexure

Available Compressive Strength

Compressive strength for a slender filled member is determined in accordance with AISC Specification Section
I2.2b(c).

9 Es
Fcr 2 (Spec. Eq. I2-10)
§b·
¨ ¸
©t¹
9  29, 000 ksi 
118
2

18.7 ksi
§ Es ·
Pno Fcr As  0.7 f cc ¨ Ac  Asr
© Ec ¸¹ (Spec. Eq. I2-9e)

18.7 ksi   29.8 in.2   0.7  7 ksi  870 in.2  0 

4,820 kips
§ As · (Spec. Eq. I2-13)
C3 0.6  2 ¨ ¸ d 0.9
© Ac  As ¹
§ 29.8 in.2 ·
0.6  2 ¨ ¸ d 0.9
© 870 in.  29.8 in.
2 2
¹
0.666  0.9
EI eff Es I s  Es I sr  C3 Ec I c (Spec. Eq. I2-12)
 29, 000 ksi   4, 400 in. 4
  0  0.666  4, 620 ksi   63,100 in. 
4

322, 000, 000 ksi

S2  EI eff  /  KL  where K
2
Pe 1.0 in accordance with the direct analysis method (Spec. Eq. I2-5)
S  322, 000, 000 ksi 
2

ª¬ 30.0 ft 12 in./ft  º¼
2

24,500 kips

Design Examples V14.2

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Pno 4,820 kips

Pe 24,500 kips
0.197  2.25

Therefore, use AISC Specification Equation I2-2.

ª Pno
º (Spec. Eq. I2-2)
Pn Pno «0.658 Pe »
«¬ »¼
4,820 kips  0.658 
0.197

4, 440 kips

According to AISC Specification Section I2.2b the compression strength need not be less than that determined for
the bare steel member using Specification Chapter E. It can be shown that the compression strength of the bare steel
for this section is equal to 450 kips, thus the strength of the composite section controls.

The available compressive strength is:

LRFD ASD
Ic 0.75 :c 2.00
Ic Pn 0.75  4, 440 kips  Pn :c 4, 440 kips 2.00
3,330 kips 2, 220 kips

Available Flexural Strength

Flexural strength of slender filled composite members is determined in accordance with AISC Specification
Section I3.4b(c). The nominal flexural strength is determined as the first yield moment, Mcr, corresponding to a
flange compression stress of Fcr using a linear elastic stress distribution with a maximum concrete compressive
stress of 0.7 f cc . This concept is illustrated diagrammatically in Specification Commentary Figure C-I3.7(c) and
follows the force distribution depicted in Figure I.7-4 and detailed in Table I.7-3.

Figure I.7-4. First yield moment stress blocks and force distribution.

Design Examples V14.2

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Table I.7-3. First Yield Moment Equations

Component Force Moment arm
tf
Compression in steel flange C1 bi t f Fcr yC1 acr 
2
2  acr  t f 
Compression in concrete C2 0.35 f cc  acr  t f  bi yC 2
3
2acr
Compression in steel web C3 acr 2tw 0.5 Fcr yC 3
3
2  H  acr 
Tension in steel web T1  H  acr  2tw 0.5 Fy yT 1
3
tf
Tension in steel flange T2 bi t f Fy yT 2 H  acr 
2
where:
Fy Htw   0.35 f cc  Fy  Fcr  bi t f
acr
tw  Fcr  Fy   0.35 f ccbi
M cr ¦  force  moment arm 
Using the equations provided in Table I.7-3 for the section in question results in the following:

 36 ksi  30.0 in.4 in.  ¬ª0.35  7 ksi   36 ksi  18.7 ksi ¼º  29.5 in.4 in.
acr
4 in.18.7 ksi  36 ksi   0.35  7 ksi  29.5 in.
4.84 in.

Force Moment Arm Force ~ Moment Arm

4 in.
C1  29.5 in.4 in.18.7 ksi  yC1 4.84 in. 
2 C1 yC1 651 kip-in.
138 kips 4.72 in.
2  4.84 in.  4 in.
C2 0.35  7 ksi  4.84 in.  4 in. 29.5 in. yC 2
3 C2 yC 2 1, 020 kip-in.
332 kips
3.06 in.
2  4.84 in.
C3  4.84 in. 2 4 in. 0.518.7 ksi  yC 3
3 C3 yC 3 73.0 kip-in.
22.6 kips
3.23 in.
T1  30.0 in.  4.84 in. 2 4 in. 0.5 36 ksi  2  30.0 in.  4.84 in.
yT 1
226 kips 3 T1 yT 1 3,800 kip-in.
16.8 in.
4 in
yT 2 30.0 in.  4.84 in. 
T2  29.5 in.4 in. 36 ksi  2 Ty
2 T2 6, 650 kip-in.
266 kips 25.0 in.

M cr ¦  force component  moment arm 

651 kip-in.  1, 020 kip-in.  73.0 kip-in.  3,800 kip-in.  6, 650 kip-in.
12 in./ft
1, 020 kip-ft

Design Examples V14.2

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The available flexural strength is:

LRFD ASD
Ib 0.90 :b 1.67
Mn 0.90 1, 020 kip-ft  M n :b 1, 020 kip-ft 1.67
918 kip-ft 611 kip-ft

Interaction of Flexure and Compression

The interaction of flexure and compression is determined in accordance with AISC Specification Section H1.1 as
follows:

LRFD ASD
Pu 1,310 kips Pa 1,370 kips
Mu 552 kip-ft Ma 248 kip-ft
Pr Pu Pr Pa
Pc Ic Pn Pc Pn / :c
1,310 kips 1,370 kips
3,330 kips 2, 220 kips
0.393 t 0.2 0.617 t 0.2

Use AISC Specification Equation H1-1a. Use AISC Specification Equation H1-1a.

Pu 8 § Mu · Pa 8 § Ma ·
 ¨ ¸ d 1.0  d 1.0
Ic Pn 9 © Ib M n ¹ Pn / :c 9 ¨© M n / :c ¸¹
1,310 kips 8 § 552 kip-ft · 1,370 kips 8 § 248 kip-ft ·
 ¨ ¸ d 1.0  ¨ ¸ d 1.0
3,330 kips 9 © 918 kip-ft ¹ 2, 220 kips 9 © 611 kip-ft ¹
0.928  1.0 o.k. 0.978  1.0 o.k.

Thus, a plate thickness of 4 in. is adequate.

Note that in addition to the design checks performed for the composite condition, design checks for other load stages
should be performed as required by AISC Specification Section I1. These checks should take into account the effect
of hydrostatic loads from concrete placement as well as the strength of the steel section alone prior to composite
action.

Available Shear Strength

According to AISC Specification Section I4.1 there are three acceptable methods for determining the available shear
strength of the member: available shear strength of the steel section alone in accordance with Chapter G, available
shear strength of the reinforced concrete portion alone per ACI 318, or available shear strength of the steel section in
addition to the reinforcing steel ignoring the contribution of the concrete. Considering that the member in question
does not have longitudinal reinforcing, it is determined by inspection that the shear strength will be controlled by the
steel section alone using the provisions of Chapter G.

From AISC Specification Section G5 the nominal shear strength, Vn, of box members is determined using the
provisions of Section G2.1 with kv 5. As opposed to HSS sections which require the use of a reduced web area to
take into account the corner radii, the full web area of a box section may be used as follows:

Design Examples V14.2

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Aw 2dtw where d = full depth of section parallel to the required shear force
2  30.0 in.4 in.
15.0 in.2

The slenderness value, h/tw, for the web used in Specification Section G2.1(b) is the same as that calculated
previously for use in local buckling classification, O = 118.

h
! 1.37 kv E Fy
tw
h § 29, 000 ksi ·
! 1.37 5 ¨ ¸
tw © 36 ksi ¹
118 ! 86.9

Therefore, use AISC Specification Equation G2-5.

The web shear coefficient and nominal shear strength are calculated as:

1.51kv E
Cv (Spec. Eq. G2-5)
 h / tw  Fy
2

1.51 5  29, 000 ksi 

118   36 ksi 
2

0.437
Vn 0.6 Fy Aw Cv (Spec. Eq. G2-1)
0.6  36 ksi  15.0 in.2
  0.437 
142 kips

The available shear strength is checked as follows:

LRFD ASD
Vu 36.8 kips Va 22.1 kips
Iv 0.9 :v 1.67
IvVn t Vu Vn / :v t Va
IvVn 0.9 142 kips  Vn / :v
142 kips
128 kips>36.8 kips o.k. 1.67
85.0 kips ! 22.1 kips o.k.

Force allocation and load transfer

Load transfer calculations for applied axial forces should be performed in accordance with AISC Specification
Section I6. The specific application of the load transfer provisions is dependent upon the configuration and detailing
of the connecting elements. Expanded treatment of the application of load transfer provisions is provided in Design
Example I.3.

Summary

It has been determined that a 30 in. ~ 30 in. composite box column composed of 4-in.-thick plate is adequate for the
imposed loads.

Design Examples V14.2

AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF STEEL CONSTRUCTION