Axially

Loaded
Compression
Members
Introduction
 Structural members subjected
to axial compressive loads are
often called by names
identifying their functions. Of
these, the best-known are
columns, the main vertical
compression members in a
building frame. Other
common compression
members include chords in
trusses and bracing members
in frames.
Introduction
 For building columns, W
shape having nominal
depths of 350 mm or less
are commonly used. These
sections, being rather
square in shape, are more
efficient than others for
carrying compressive loads.
(Deeper sections are more
efficient as beams).
Introduction

 Built-up sections
are needed in
large structures for
very heavy loads
that cannot be
supported by
individual rolled
shapes.
Introduction

 For bracing and compression

members in light trusses,
single-angle members are
suitable. However, equal-leg
angles may be more
economical than unequal-leg
angles because their least
radius of gyration are greater
for the same steel area.
Introduction

 For top chord members of

bolted or welded roof trusses,
a pair of angles (usually
unequal, with long legs back-
to-back) are used with or
without gusset plates.
Structural tees may also be
used as top chord members
for welded roof trusses.
LONG, SHORT,
AND INTERMEDIATE
COLUMNS
SHORT COLUMNS
Short columns fail by
crushing at very high
stress levels that are
above the elastic limit of
the column material. For
very short columns, the
failure stress will equal the
yield stress and no
buckling will occur
Long Columns
 Long columns fail by
buckling at stress levels that
are below the elastic limit
of the column material, The
Euler formula predicts very
well the strength of long
columns where the axial
buckling stress remains
below the proportional limit.
Such columns will buckle
elastically.
Intermediate
Columns

 For intermediate columns,

some of the fibers will reach
the yield stress and some
will not. The members will
fail by both yielding and
buckling, and their
behavior is said to be
inelastic. Most columns fall
into this range
Euler’s Column
Buckling Theory
 Column design and analysis
are based on the Euler
buckling load theory
(Leonard Euler, 1757). His
analysis is based on the
differential equation of the
elastic curve. However,
specific factors of safety
and slenderness ratio
limitations are applied from
purely theoretical concepts.
Euler’s Column
Buckling Theory
 When a column is
loaded to the
buckling load or
Euler load, a
column will fail by
sudden buckling
or bending.
 If the column is
hinged at both
ends, the Euler
critical load is
given as:
Euler’s Column
Buckling Theory

The modulus of
elasticity term, E,
implies that the
following
equations are
valid as long as
the stress
remains in the
elastic region
 Euler’s Column
Buckling Theory
 These equations show that
the buckling stress is not a
function of material
strength. Rather, it is a
function of the ratio L/r
known as the slenderness
ratio.
 As the slenderness ratio
increases, the buckling
stress decreases, meaning
that as the column
becomes longer and more
slender, the load that
cause buckling becomes
smaller.
Effective Length

 Real columns do not have pin-connected ends.

 The restraints placed on a column's ends greatly
affect its stability.
 To counter these effects, an effective length factor,
K, is used to modify the unbraced length.
 The product KL is called the effective length of the
column. This length approximates the length over
which the column actually buckles and this may be
shorter or longer than the actual unbraced length.
Slenderness Ratio

 The effective
slenderness ratio of
compression members
is calculated as:
Slenderness Ratio
CLASSIFICATION OF SECTION FOR LOCAL
BUCKLING

 Sections are classified as compact, non-compact, 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 from Table 3-2 and Table 3-3.
 If the width-thickness ratio of one or more compression elements
exceeds , but does not exceed from Table 3-2 Table 3-3, the
section is noncompact.
 If the width-thickness ratio of any element exceeds , the section is
referred to as a slender-element section.
Unstiffened Elements

 For unstiffened elements supported along only one edge parallel to

the direction of the compression force, the width shall be taken as
follows:
 1. For flanges of I-shaped members and tees, the width b is one-half
the full-flange width, bf.
 2. For legs of angles and flanges of channels and zees, the width b
IS the full nominal dimension,
 3. For plates, the width b is the distance from the free edge to the
first row of fasteners or tine of welds.
 4. For stems of tees, d is taken as the full nominal depth of the
section.
Stiffened
Elements
Unstiffened
Elements
Unstiffened
Elements
Unstiffened
Elements
Unstiffened
Elements
Unstiffened
Elements
  According to Section 505, The design
compressive strength 𝜙 𝑃 and the allowable
compressive strength, , are determined as
follows:
 The nominal compressive strength, Pn, shall
be the lowest value obtained according to
DESIGN OF the limit states of flexural buckling, torsional
buckling and flexural-torsional buckling.
MEMBERS FOR  1. For doubly symmetric and singly
symmetric members the limit state of flexural
COMPRESSION 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.
DESIGN OF MEMBERS FOR
COMPRESSION
Compressive Strength for Flexural
Buckling of Members Without
Slender Elements (505.3)
For compression
members with
compact and
noncompact
sections, the
nominal
compressive
strength, shall be
determined
based on the
limit state of
flexural buckling.
Example: Compact Sections

A W310x74 (W12x50) is used a column with

unsupported length of L. The column is fixed at the
bottom and pinned on top. Calculate the LRFD design
strength and ASD allowable strength of the column
when (a) L=3m, (b) L=6m. Use Fy = 345MPa.
Properties of W12x50:
A = 9420mm2 ; d=310mm; bf=205mm; tw=9.40mm;
tf=16.3mm; Ix=163x106mm4;Iy= 23.4x106mm4 ;
rx=132mm; ry= 49.8mm
Example:
  Single-angle compression
members, often encountered in
trusses, are often loaded with
large eccentricities.
 The nominal compressive
Single Angle strength, Pn, of single angle
members shall be determined in
Compression accordance with Section 505.3
Members or Section 505.7, as appropriate
for axially loaded members, as
well as those subject to the
Slenderness modification,
provided the members meet the
criteria imposed.
  The effects of eccentricity on
single angle members are
permitted to be neglected
when the members are
evaluated as axially loaded
compression members using
one of the effective slenderness
Single Angle ratios specified below provided
that:
Compression  (1) members are loaded at the
Members ends in compression through the
same one leg;
 (2) members are attached by
welding or by minimum two-bolt
connections; and
 (3) there are no intermediate
transverse loads.
Single Angle
Compression
Members
Single Angle
Compression
Members
Example:

Determine the LRFD design and ASD Allowable axial

compressive strength of a 4 m long L152x152x19 (L6x6x3/4)
with simple end connections in a plane truss. The other
web members meeting at the ends of this member are
connected on the same side of the gusset plates. Steel is
A36 with Fy = 250MPa.
Properties L152X152X19:
A = 5460 mm2; rx = ry = 46.2mm; I = 11.7x10mm 4
Example:

Determine the LRFD design and ASD allowable axial

compressive strength of a 2m long L102x77x10 with simple
end connections (Long leg welded to gusset) in a plane
truss. The other web members meeting at the ends of this
member are connected on the same side of the gusset
plates. Steel is A36 with Fy = 250 MPa
Properties L102X77X10:
A = 1600 mm2; rx = 32mm; ry = 22.2mm; I = 11.7x10mm 4
Compressive Strength of Members
Containing Slender Elements (Section 505.7)

 The nominal compressive strength, Pn, shall be determined based on the limit states of
flexural, torsional and flexural torsional buckling.

 The flexural buckling stress, Fcr, is determined as follows:

𝐹 = 𝑄 0.658 𝐹
 Slender
Unstiffened
Elements, Qs

The reduction factor

Qs for slender
unstiffened elements is
defined as follows:
I. For flanges, angles,
and plates projecting
from rolled columns or
Other compression
members:
 Slender
Unstiffened
Elements, Qs

The reduction factor

Qs for slender
unstiffened elements is
defined as follows:
2. For flanges, angles,
and plates projecting
from built-up columns
or other compression
members:
Slender Unstiffened Elements, Qs

The reduction factor Qs for slender

unstiffened elements is defined as
follows:
2. For flanges, angles, and plates
projecting from built-up columns or
other compression members:
kc shall not be taken less than 0.35
nor greater than 0.76 for calculation
purposes
 Slender
Unstiffened
Elements, Qs

The reduction factor

Qs for slender
unstiffened elements is
defined as follows:
3. For single angles:
where:
b = full width of
longest angle leg, mm
 Slender
Unstiffened
Elements, Qs

The reduction factor

Qs for slender
unstiffened elements is
defined as follows:
4. For Stem of Tees:
where:
b = full width of
longest angle leg, mm
Slender Stiffened Elements, Qa

 The reduction factor, Qa for slender stiffened

elements is defined as follows:
where:
A = total cross-sectional area of member, mm2
Aeff = summation of the effective areas of the
cross section based on the reduced effective
width, be, mm2
 Slender
Stiffened
Elements,
Qa

The reduced effective

width, be, is determined
as follows:
Slender
Stiffened
Elements,
Qa
Example:

The WT section is used as a compression member with

simple end connections and length of 2.5m. Determine
the LRFD design and ASD Allowable axial compressive
strength of this member. Use Fy = 345MPa.
Section Properties:
A = 6408 mm2; rx = 84.34mm; ry = 43.96mm
bf = 210 mm; tf = 16 mm; d = 270 mm; tw = 12 mm
Example:

A W section is used as a compression member. The

effective length of the member is KL=4.25m
Section Properties:
A = 15,806.42 mm2; rx = 194.06mm; ry = 94.83mm
bf = 406.4 mm; tf = 12.7mm; d = 457.2 mm; tw = 12.7 mm