PSD 323: Principles of Steel Design

MODULE 3 – DESIGN OF COMPRESSION MEMBERS

OBJECTIVE:

The students are expected to familiarize the formula’s, principles and concepts used in
Design of compression member.

INTRODUCTION:

Compression members are structural element which is resisting axial towards center of
cross-sectional area. Example of compression members are columns in buildings, trusses, bridge
piers and braces and framed structures. A steel column is a vertical structure member used in
construction to provide essential support. They may carry loads in compression or they may
transfer loads from things like beams, ceilings, floor slabs or roof slabs to floors or foundations.

CLASSIFICATION OF COLUMNS

Columns are classified into three namely short, intermediate and long columns. Short
columns usually fail by crushing at very high stress levels that are above the elastic limit of the
column material. Intermediate columns are structural member which some particle will reach the
yield stress and some will not. The members will fail in both yielding and buckling and their
behavior is to be inelastic. While, long columns will fail by buckling at stress levels that are below
the elastic limit of the column materials.

EULER’S COLUMN BUCKLING THOERY

Euler’s Theory of Columns states that a column behaves to resist buckling. He stated that the
end condition of the columns and flexural rigidity influence buckling. Therefore, Euler’s Theory of
Columns can be used to calculate the buckling load of the column (critical after which the column
buckles).
𝜋 2 𝐸𝐼
𝑃𝑐𝑟 =
𝐿2
Euler critical stress
𝜋 2 𝐸𝐼
𝑃𝑐𝑟 2 𝜋 2 𝐸𝐼 𝐼
𝜎𝑐𝑟 = = 𝐿 = 2 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑟 = √
𝐴 𝐴 𝐿 𝐴 𝐴
𝜋 2 𝐸𝑟 2 𝜋2𝐸
𝜎𝑐𝑟 = =
𝐿2 𝐿 2
(𝑟 )

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EFFECTIVE LENGTH
The effective length is the distance between points of zero curvature or moment. The effective
length affects stability on end condition of the compression member. To counter these effects, an
effective factor K is used to modify the unbraced length.

𝜋 2 𝐸𝑟 2 𝜋2𝐸 𝐿
𝜎𝑐𝑟 = = 2 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝐾 𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜
𝐿2 𝐿 𝑟
(𝐾 )
𝑟
SLENDERNESS RATIO

The slenderness ratio is the ratio of the effective length of the column to the least radius of
gyration.
𝐿
𝑆𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜 = 𝐾
𝑟
For members design in compression, the slenderness ration is preferably should not exceed to 200.

Table. 3.1. Approximate Values of Effective Length Factor, K

Buckled shape of
column is shown
by blue dashed
line

Theoretical
0.5 0.7 1.0 1.0 2.0 2.0
K Value
Recommended
design value
when ideal 0.65 0.80 1.20 1.0 2.1 2.0
conditions are
approximated

End condition
code
Rotation Fixed
Rotation Free and Rotation is fixed Rotation Free and
and Translation
Translation Fixed Translation if Free Translation Free
Fixed

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NSCP 2015 - 505 DESIGN OF COMPRESSION MEMBERS

𝑃𝑛
The design compressive strength, 𝜙𝑐 𝑃𝑛 , and the allowable compressive strength, Ω𝑐
, are determined
as follows:

The nominal compressive strength, Pn, shall be the lowest value obtained according to the limit states
of flexural buckling, torsional buckling and flexural-torsional buckling.
1. For doubly symmetric and singly symmetric members the limit state of flexural buckling is
applicable.
2. For singly symmetric and unsymmetric members, and certain doubly symmetric members, such
as cruciform or built-up columns, the limit states of torsional or flexural-torsional buckling are
also applicable.
𝑳𝑹𝑭𝑫: 𝝓 = 𝟎. 𝟗𝟎 𝑨𝑺𝑫: 𝜴 = 𝟏. 𝟔𝟕
COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH FOR FLEXURAL BUCKLING OF MEMBERS WITHOUT SLENDER
ELEMENTS

For compression members with compact and non-compact sections, the nominal compressive
strength, Pn, shall be determined based on the limit state of flexural buckling.
𝑃𝑛 = 𝐹𝑐𝑟 𝐴𝑔
The flexural buckling stress, Fcr, is determined as follows:
𝐾𝐿 𝐸
1. 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 ≤ 4.71√ 𝑜𝑟 (𝐹𝑒 ≥ 0.44 𝐹𝑦 )
𝑟 𝐹𝑦
𝑭𝒚
𝑭𝒄𝒓 = [𝟎. 𝟔𝟓𝟖𝑭𝒆 ] 𝑭𝒚

𝐾𝐿 𝐸
2. 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 > 4.71√ 𝑜𝑟 (𝐹𝑒 < 0.44 𝐹𝑦 )
𝑟 𝐹𝑦
𝑭𝒄𝒓 = 𝟎. 𝟖𝟕𝟕𝑭𝒆
𝑭𝒆 = 𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝑐𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑏𝑢𝑐𝑘𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠
𝜋2𝐸
𝑭𝒆 =
𝐿 2
(𝐾 𝑟 )

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EXAMPLE #1: The built-up column in the figure below consists of two C375 x 75 welded to a PL
400mm x 12mm. The column is 3.5m long and is hinged at both ends. Determine the LRFD design
strength and the ASD allowable strength if the column is axially loaded. Use Fy = 345 MPa.
Properties of built-up section:
Area gross = 23,760 mm2
Ix = 483.954 x 106 mm4
rx = 142 mm
Iy = 392.107 x 106 mm4
ry = 128 mm
E = 200 GPa
Solution:
Effective length Factor, K = 1.0 based on table type (d).
Solving for slenderness ratio for both axes.
𝐿 3,500
𝑆𝑅𝑥 = 𝐾 = 1.0 ( ) = 31.53
𝑟𝑥 142
𝐿 3,500
𝑆𝑅𝑦 = 𝐾 = 1.0 ( ) = 35.03 ← 𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠
𝑟𝑦 78.5
Comparing two slenderness ratio SRx and SRy, the larger value will produce smaller
value of elastic critical buckling stress. Therefore, the critical slenderness ratio will be
SR = 35.03.
Check the condition requirement by the code.
𝐾𝐿 𝐸
1. 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 ≤ 4.71√ 𝑜𝑟 (𝐹𝑒 ≥ 0.44 𝐹𝑦 )
𝑟 𝐹𝑦

𝐸 200,000
35.03 < 4.71√ = 4.71√ = 113.403 ✔ 𝑠𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑠𝑓𝑖𝑒𝑑
𝐹𝑦 345
𝑭𝒚
Use formula 𝑭𝒄𝒓 = [𝟎. 𝟔𝟓𝟖𝑭𝒆 ] 𝑭𝒚

Solving for Elastic Critical Buckling Stress, Fe.

𝜋 2𝐸 𝜋 2 (200,000)
𝑭𝒆 = = = 1608.6 𝑀𝑃𝑎
𝐿 2 35.032
(𝐾 𝑟 )
𝑭𝒚 345
𝑭𝒄𝒓 = [𝟎. 𝟔𝟓𝟖𝑭𝒆 ] 𝑭𝒚 = [0.6581608.6 ] 𝑥 345 = 315.38 𝑀𝑃𝑎

Solving for nominal Load capacity, Pn.

1
𝑃𝑛 = 𝐹𝑐𝑟 𝐴𝑔 = 315.38 (23,760) 𝑥 = 7,493.428 𝑘𝑁
1000
𝑳𝑹𝑭𝑫: 𝝓 = 𝟎. 𝟗𝟎
𝑃𝑢 𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝜙𝑃𝑛
𝑃𝑢 𝑚𝑎𝑥 = (0.90)(7,493.428 𝑘𝑁) = 𝟕, 𝟔𝟒𝟒. 𝟎𝟖𝟓 𝒌𝑵 ← 𝒂𝒏𝒔𝒘𝒆𝒓
𝑨𝑺𝑫: 𝛀 = 𝟏. 𝟔𝟕
𝑃𝑛
𝑃𝑎 𝑚𝑎𝑥 =
Ω
7,493.428 𝑘𝑁
𝑃𝑎 𝑚𝑎𝑥 = = 𝟒, 𝟒𝟖𝟕. 𝟎𝟖𝟑 𝒌𝑵 ← 𝒂𝒏𝒔𝒘𝒆𝒓
1.67
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EXAMPLE #2: A 7.5-meter W300x143 column is braced and supported sa shown in figure below.
The column is to support an axial deadload of 1200 kN. Determine the maximum service axial live
load that can be supported by the column. Use Fy = 345 and E = 200 GPa. Area of W300x143 is
equal to 18,200 mm2, and rx = 138 mm and ry = 78.5 mm.

Solution:
Properties:
A = 18,200 mm2
rx = 138 mm
ry = 78.5 mm
Fy = 345 MPa
E = 200 GPa
PD = 1,200 kN

Notice that the end condition of the column facing x-axis is Rotation Free and
Translation Fixed. It falls under type (d); thus, Theoretical value of K is 1.0.

Solve for Slenderness ratio from the left side figure. Assuming the column will
bend sideways.
Lx = 7.5 meters

𝐿𝑥 7500
𝑆𝑅𝑥 = 𝐾𝑥 = 1.0 ( ) = 54.348
𝑟𝑥 138

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Notice that the column is divided into two parts. Upper part with Ly1 = 3.5m
and Ly2 = 4.0 m. Comparing length with the same radius of gyration the larger
length will be the critical length since it is most likely to produce larger value of
lateral buckling.
Therefore, we will use Ly = 4.0 meters.
𝐿𝑦 4,000
𝑆𝑅𝑦 = 𝐾𝑦 = 1.0 ( ) = 50.955
𝑟𝑦 78.5
Comparing two slenderness ratio SRx and SRy, the larger value will produce
smaller value of elastic critical buckling stress. Therefore, the critical
slenderness ratio will be SR = 54.348
𝜋2𝐸 𝜋 2 (200,000)
𝑭𝒆 = = = 668.29 𝑀𝑃𝑎
𝐿 2 50.9552
(𝐾 𝑟 )

Solving for critical flexural buckling stress, Fcr

First, we need to check the condition requirement by the code.

𝐾𝐿 𝐸
1. 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 ≤ 4.71√ 𝑜𝑟 (𝐹𝑒 ≥ 0.44 𝐹𝑦 )
𝑟 𝐹𝑦

𝐸 200,000
50.995 < 4.71√ = 4.71√ = 113.403 ✔ 𝑠𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑠𝑓𝑖𝑒𝑑
𝐹𝑦 345
𝑭𝒚 345
𝑭𝒄𝒓 = [𝟎. 𝟔𝟓𝟖𝑭𝒆 ] 𝑭𝒚 = [0.658668.29 ] 𝑥 345 = 277. 958 𝑀𝑃𝑎

Solving for Pn,

1
𝑃𝑛 = 𝐹𝑐𝑟 𝐴𝑔 = 277.958 (18,200) 𝑥 = 5058.84 𝑘𝑁
1000
𝑳𝑹𝑭𝑫: 𝝓 = 𝟎. 𝟗𝟎
𝑃𝑢 𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝜙𝑃𝑛
𝑃𝑢 𝑚𝑎𝑥 = (0.90)(5058.84 𝑘𝑁) = 𝟒, 𝟓𝟓𝟐. 𝟗𝟓𝟔 𝒌𝑵
𝑃𝑢 𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 1.2𝑃𝐷𝐿 + 1.6 𝑃𝐿𝐿
(𝑃𝑢 𝑚𝑎𝑥 − 1.2𝑃𝐷𝐿 ) 4,552.956 − (1.2 𝑥 1,200)
𝑃𝐿𝐿 = = = 𝟏, 𝟗𝟒𝟓. 𝟓𝟗𝟖 𝒌𝑵 ← 𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑤𝑒𝑟
1.6 1.6
𝑨𝑺𝑫: 𝛀 = 𝟏. 𝟔𝟕
𝑃𝑛
𝑃𝑎 𝑚𝑎𝑥 =
Ω
5058.84 𝑘𝑁
𝑃𝑎 𝑚𝑎𝑥 = = 𝟑𝟎𝟐𝟗. 𝟐𝟒𝟔 𝒌𝑵
1.67
𝑃𝑎 𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝑃𝐷𝐿 + 𝑃𝐿𝐿
𝑃𝐿𝐿 = 𝑃𝑎 𝑚𝑎𝑥 − 𝑃𝐷𝐿 = 3029.246 − 1200 = 𝟏, 𝟖𝟐𝟗. 𝟐𝟒𝟔 𝒌𝑵 ← 𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑤𝑒𝑟

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ACTIVITY: Determine the LRFD design strength and the ASD allowable strength if the column is
axially loaded. Use Fy = 450 MPa.
Properties of built-up section:
Area gross = 13,468 mm2
Ix = 119.006 x 106 mm4
rx = 94 mm
Iy = 88.665 x 106 mm4
ry = 81.14 mm
E = 200 GPa

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