Column

Assoc. Prof. Ir. Dr. Shek Poi Ngian

Faculty of Civil Engineering
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
81310 UTM Johor Bahru, Johor
shekpoingian@utm.my
 Introduction
NEd
• A column is a vertical structural
element that is primarily subjected to End restraint

axial compressive loads. MEd

• Being categorized under Compression
Members, columns may be classified
into:
• Axially Loaded Columns (NEd only)
• Columns in Simple Structures (NEd and MEd)
• Columns With Moments (NEd and MEd)
MEd

End restraint

NEd
 Elastic buckling theory
N N

w
L

N N

(a) Unloaded (b) Loaded member (c) Loaded member

member (straight) (displaced)
 Elastic buckling theory

From stability theory, the elastic buckling load

of a perfect pin-ended column is given by:

2
π EI
Ncr = 2
L

Other boundary conditions may be

accounted for through the effective (critical)
length concept.
 Elastic buckling theory

Two bounds: Yielding and buckling

Load, N Material yielding NEd

(squashing)
Afy
Lcr

Euler (critical)
buckling Ncr
NEd

Non-dimensional slenderness, 𝜆𝜆̅

 Euler theory
• The column is perfectly straight

• The column fails solely due to overall flexural buckling

• The column is very long relative to its cross-sectional

dimensions

• The cross-section of the column is uniform along the

column's length

• The column is made of elastic, homogeneous and isotropic

material, thus following Hooke's Law

• The effect of direct compression is assumed small thus the

shortening of the column is abandoned
 Perry-Robertson theory

• All columns contain imperfections and will deflect

laterally from the onset of loading

• The maximum stress along the column length will

occur at mid-height and on the inner surface

• The maximum stress will comprise of 2

components – axial stress and bending stress

• Failure may be assumed when the maximum

stress reaches yield
 Imperfections
NEd
• Geometric imperfections (initial bow)
• Eccentricity of loading
• Residual stresses
• Non-homogeneity of material properties w0 = Initial
• End restraint imperfection w0
• etc
w
w=
additional
deflection

Welding Hot-rolling NEd

 End Restraint

Pinned Pinned Fixed Partial Free in position Free

0.85L 0.7L 0.85L 1.2L 2.0L

1.0L

Pinned Fixed Fixed Partial Fixed Fixed

Critical buckling lengths of various end conditions, Lcr

 Segment Length
z

y y

Deformed shape
in major axis
Deformed shape
in minor axis

h2

h1
 Buckling Curves
Eurocode 3 uses the Perry-Robertson concept.
Five different imperfection amplitudes are included (through the
imperfection factor α), giving five buckling curves.
1.2

1.0 Curve a0
Curve a
Reduction factor χ

0.8 Curve b
Curve c
0.6 Curve d

0.4

0.2

0.0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5
Non-dimensional slenderness
 Eurocode 3

Eurocode 3 states, that both cross-sectional

and member resistance must be verified:

NEd ≤ Nc ,Rd Cross-section check

NEd ≤ Nb ,Rd Member buckling check

 Cross-section Resistance

Cross-section resistance in compression Nc,Rd depends

on cross-section classification (EN1993-1-1, Cl. 6.2.4):

Afy
Nc ,Rd = for Class 1, 2 or 3 sections
γ M0

A eff fy
Nc ,Rd = for Class 4 sections
γ M0

γM0 is specified as 1.0 in EN 1993

This value will also be adopted in the M’sia
 Buckling Resistance

Compression buckling resistance, Nb,Rd

(EN 1993-1-1, Cl. 6.3.1):

χ A fy
Nb,Rd = for Class 1, 2 and 3
γ M1

χ A eff fy
Nb,Rd = for (symmetric) Class 4
γ M1
 Buckling Resistance

1
χ but χ ≤ 1.0
Φ + Φ2 − λ 2
Φ 0.5 1 + α ( λ − 0.2 ) + λ 2 
=

Imperfection factor α Plateau length

Af y π 2 EI
λ= N cr = 2
N cr Lcr
 Imperfection factor α

Imperfection factors α for 5 buckling curves

(EN 1993-1-1 Table 6.1) :

Buckling curve a0 a b c d

Imperfection
0.13 0.21 0.34 0.49 0.76
factor α
Buckling curve selection (EN 1993-1-1 Table 6.2)

Buckling
curve
Buckling
Cross-section Limits about S235
axis S275
S460
S355
S420

b y–y a a0
tf ≤ 40 mm
z z-z b a0
h/b > 1.2
40 mm < tf y–y b a
tw
≤ 100 mm z-z c a
Rolled
h y y
sections
y–y b a
tf ≤ 100 mm
z-z c a
r tf h/b ≤ 1.2
y–y d c
z tf > 100 mm
z-z d c
z
z y–y b b
Welded tf ≤ 40 mm
z-z c c
I- y y y y

sections y–y c c
tf tf tf > 40 mm
z z z-z d d
Buckling curve selection (EN 1993-1-1 Table 6.2)

hot finished any a a0

Hollow
sections
cold formed any c c

z generally (except as
tf
below)
any b b
Welded box h y y

sections tw
thick welds: a > 0.5tf
b z b/tf < 30 any c c
h/tw < 30

U-, T- and
solid any c c
sections

L-sections any b b
Slenderness for flexural buckling (cl. 6.3.1.3)

Af y Lcr 1
λ= =
N cr i λ1

E 235
=λ1 π= 93.9ε ε=
fy fy
Design Procedure for Column Buckling

Design procedure for column buckling:

1. Determine design axial load NEd

2. Select section and determine geometry

3. Classify cross-section (if Class 1-3, no account

need be made for local buckling)

4. Determine effective (buckling) length Lcr

5. Calculate Ncr and Afy

Design Procedure for Column Buckling

A fy
6. Non-dimensional slenderness λ =
Ncr
7. Determine imperfection factor α

8. Calculate buckling reduction factor χ

χ A fy
9. Design buckling resistance Nb,Rd =
γ M1
NEd
10. Check ≤ 1 .0
Nb,Rd
Member buckling resistance example

A circular hollow section member is to be used as an

internal column in a multi-storey building. The column
has pinned boundary conditions at each end, and the
inter-storey height is 4 m.

NEd = 2110 kN

The critical combination of

4.0 m actions results in a design
axial force of 2110 kN.
Member buckling resistance example

Assess the suitability of a hot-rolled 244.5×10 CHS

in grade S 355 steel for this application.

d = 244.5 mm
t t = 10.0 mm
A = 7370 mm2
Wel,y = 415000 mm3
Wpl,y = 550000 mm3
d
I = 50730000 mm4
Member buckling resistance example

For a nominal material thickness (t = 10.0 mm) of less than

or equal to 40mm the nominal values of yield strength fy
for grade S355 steel is 355 N/mm2 (from EN 10210-1).

From clause 3.2.6: E = 210000 N/mm2

Member buckling resistance example

Cross-section classification (clause 5.5.2):

ε = 235 / fy = 235 / 355 = 0.81

Tubular sections (Table 5.2, sheet 3)

d/t = 244.5/10.0 = 24.5

Limit for Class 1 section = 50 ε2 = 40.7 > 24.5

∴ Cross-section is Class 1
Member buckling resistance example

Cross-section compression resistance (clause 6.2.4):

Afy
Nc ,Rd = for Class 1, 2 or 3 cross - sections
γ M0

7370 × 355
∴ Nc ,Rd = = 2616 × 10 3 N = 2616 kN
1.00

2616 > 2110 kN ∴ Cross − section resistance is OK.

Member buckling resistance example

Member buckling resistance in compression (clause 6.3.1):

χ A fy
Nb ,Rd = for Class 1, 2 and 3 cross sections
γ M1
1
χ= but χ ≤ 1.0
2 2
Φ+ Φ −λ

[
where Φ = 0.5 1 + α(λ - 0.2 ) + λ2 ]
Afy
and λ = for Class 1, 2 and 3 cross - sections
Ncr
Member buckling resistance example

Elastic critical force and non-dimensional slenderness

for flexural buckling Ncr

π 2EI π 2 × 210000 × 50730000

Ncr = 2
= 2
= 6571 kN
L cr 4000

7370 × 355
∴λ = 3
= 0.63
6571× 10

From Table 6.2 of EN 1993-1-1:

For a hot-rolled CHS, use buckling curve a

 Buckling curve selection

Buckling
curve
Buckling
Cross-section Limits about S235
axis S275
S460
S355
S420

hot finished any a a0

Hollow
sections
cold formed any c c
 Graphical approach

1.2

1.0 Curve a0

≈0.88 Curve a
0.8 Curve b
Reduction factor χ

Curve c
0.6 Curve d

0.4

0.2

0.0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5
0.63
Non-dimensional slenderness λ
Member buckling resistance example

From Table 6.1 of EN 1993-1-1, for buckling curve a, α = 0.21

Φ = 0.5[1 + 0.21(0.63 − 0.2) + 0.632 ] = 0.74
1
χ = = 0.88
2 2
0.74 + 0.74 − 0.63

0.88 × 7370 × 355

∴ Nb ,Rd = = 2297 × 10 3 N = 2297 kN
1 .0

2297 > 2110 kN ∴Buckling resistance is OK.

The chosen cross-section, 244.5x10 CHS, in grade S355

steel is acceptable.
Member buckling resistance example

A UC section member is to be used as an internal column in

a multi-storey building. The column has pinned boundary
conditions at each end, and the inter-storey height is 4.5 m.

NEd = 305.6 kN

The critical combination of

actions results in a design
4.5 m axial force of 305.6 kN.
Member buckling resistance example

Try a 152x152x30 UC in grade S 275 steel.

b h = 157.6 mm
z b = 152.9 mm
tw = 6.5 mm
tw
tf = 9.4 mm
h d y y
r = 7.6 mm
r A = 3830 mm2
tf
Iy = 17480000 mm4
z
Iz = 5600000 mm4

Section properties for 152x152x30 UC

Member buckling resistance example

Cross-section is Class 1 under pure compression.

Nc,Rd = 1053 kN (Cross-section resistance)

Ncr,z = 573.2 kN (Minor axis elastic critical

buckling force)

Afy
Non-dimensional slenderness λ z = = 1.36
Ncr ,z
Member buckling resistance example
For minor axis buckling, use curve c: α = 0.49

Φz = 0.5[1 + 0.49(1.36 − 0.2) + 1.362 ] = 1.70

1
χz = = 0.37
1.70 + 1.702 − 1.362

0.37 × 3830 × 275

∴ Nb,z ,Rd = = 385.7 × 103 N = 385.7 kN
1 .0

385.7 > 305.6 kN ∴Buckling resistance is OK.

A 152x152x30 UC, in grade S 275 steel is acceptable.

 Column In Simple Structures

• Exhibits beam-column behaviour.

• One convenient way to approximate the ultimate strength
of a beam-column is by using interaction equation.

N Ed M y , Ed M z , Ed
+ + 1.5 ≤ 1.0
N min,b , Rd M y ,b , Rd M z ,cb , Rd

(My,b,Rd should be determined in a similar manner as Mb,Rd

in the design of unrestrained beam ).
 Column In Simple Structures

• Nominal moments, My,Ed and Mz,Ed are the products of beam

reactions and their eccentricities to the centre of the column.

ey = h/2 + 100
ez = tw /2 + 100 (connected to column web)
= b/2 + 100 (connected to column flange)

• (The nett moment at a level should be divided between

the upper and lower column in proportion to the stiffness
I/L of each length).
 Section Classification

• c/tf of the section is still checked with the limiting values of

outstand flange subject to compression.

• c/tw, on the other hand, is checked with the limiting values

of web subject to both bending and compression.

• For such condition, the use of Table 5.2 requires the

determination of α.
  N 
α = 0.51 +  Ed  , − 1 < α ≤ 1
  f y t w d 
 Column with Moments

• The strength of the column may be limited either by the

local capacity of the most heavily loaded cross-section or
the overall buckling capacity of the column.

• Exhibits beam-column behaviour.

• Subjected to three distinct situations:

i) In-plane strength
ii) Lateral torsional buckling
iii) Biaxial bending
 Column with Moments

• In-plane strength represents an interaction between

column buckling and simple uni-axial beam bending.

• Lateral torsional buckling represents an interaction

between column buckling and beam buckling.

• Bi-axial bending represents an interaction between

column buckling and bi-axial beam bending.
 Design Procedures

1. According to clause 6.3, which requires checking of

buckling resistance for uniform members in compression,
uniform members in bending and uniform members in
bending and axial compression.

2. Buckling resistance check for axial compression:

- as in axially loaded columns

3. Buckling resistance check for bending:

- as in unrestrained beams
 Design Procedures

4. Buckling resistance check for combined bending &

compression
 Column

Assoc. Prof. Ir. Dr. Shek Poi Ngian

Faculty of Civil Engineering
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
81310 UTM Johor Bahru, Johor
shekpoingian@utm.my