NCCI: Buckling lengths of columns: rigorous approach

NCCI: Buckling lengths of columns: rigorous approach

SN008a-EN-EU

NCCI: Buckling lengths of columns: rigorous approach

This NCCI gives information concerning the calculation of the buckling length for
columns, to be used for the buckling verification (slenderness approach). Simple aids (e.g.
diagrams, tables) are presented.

Created on Wednesday, August 18, 2010

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Contents
1.

Basis

2.

Columns in building frames

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NCCI: Buckling lengths of columns: rigorous approach

NCCI: Buckling lengths of columns: rigorous approach

SN008a-EN-EU

1.

Basis

The buckling length Lcr of a compression member is the length of an otherwise similar
member with pinned ends (ends restrained against lateral movement but free to rotate in the
plane of buckling) which has the same elastic critical buckling load.
In the absence of more accurate information, the theoretical buckling length for elastic critical
buckling may conservatively be adopted.
An equivalent buckling length may be used to relate the critical load of a member subject to
non-uniform loading to that of an otherwise similar member subject to uniform loading.
An equivalent buckling length may also be used to relate the critical load of a non-uniform
member to that of a uniform member under similar conditions of loading and restraint.

Created on Wednesday, August 18, 2010

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2.

Columns in building frames

The buckling length Lcr of a column in a non-sway mode may be obtained from Figure 2.1.

Pinned

Fixed

Fixed

Figure 2.1

Pinned

Buckling length ratio Lcr / L for a column in a non-sway mode

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NCCI: Buckling lengths of columns: rigorous approach

NCCI: Buckling lengths of columns: rigorous approach

SN008a-EN-EU

The buckling length Lcr of a column in a sway mode may be obtained from Figure 2.2.

Created on Wednesday, August 18, 2010

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Pinned

Fixed

Fixed

Figure 2.2

Pinned

Buckling length ratio Lcr / L for a column in a sway mode

The following empirical expressions may be used as conservative approximations instead of

reading values from Figure 2.1 and Figure 2.2:
a) non-sway mode (Figure 2.1)

Lcr
2
= 0,5 + 0,14(1 + 2 ) + 0,055(1 + 2 )
L

(2.1)

b) sway mode (Figure 2.2)

Lcr
1 0,2(1 + 2 ) 0,121 2
=
L
1 0,8(1 + 2 ) + 0,61 2

(2.2)

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NCCI: Buckling lengths of columns: rigorous approach

NCCI: Buckling lengths of columns: rigorous approach

SN008a-EN-EU

Created on Wednesday, August 18, 2010

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For the theoretical models shown in Figure 2.3 the distribution factors 1 and 2 are obtained
from:

1 =

Kc
K c + K 11 + K 12

(2.3)

2 =

Kc
K c + K 21 + K 22

(2.4)

where

Kc

is the column stiffness coefficient I/L

and

Kij

is the effective beam stiffness coefficient

(a) Non-sway mode

Figure 2.3

(b) Sway mode

Distribution factors for columns

These models may be adapted to the design of continuous column, by assuming that each
length of column is loaded to the same value ratio (N/Ncr). In the general case where (N/Ncr)
varies, this leads to a conservative value of Lcr/L for the most critical length of column.
For each length of a continuous column the assumption made above may be introduced by
using the model shown in Figure 2.4 and obtaining the distribution factors 1 and 2 from:

1 =

K c + K1
K c + K1 + K11 + K 12

(2.5)

2 =

Kc + K2
K c + K 2 + K 21 + K 22

(2.6)

where

K1 and K2 are the stiffness coefficients for the adjacent lengths of column.
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NCCI: Buckling lengths of columns: rigorous approach

Created on Wednesday, August 18, 2010

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NCCI: Buckling lengths of columns: rigorous approach

SN008a-EN-EU

Figure 2.4

Distribution factors for continuous column

Where the beams are not subject to significant axial forces, their effective stiffness
coefficients may be determined by reference to Table 2.1, provided that they remain elastic
under the design moments.
Table 2.1

Effective stiffness coefficient for a beam

Conditions of rotational restraint at far end of beam

Effective beam stiffness coefficient K

(provided that beam remains elastic)

Fixed at far end

1,0

Pinned at far end

0,75

Rotation as at near end

(double curvature)

1,5

I
L

Rotation equal and opposite to that at near end

(single curvature)

0,5

I
L

General case
Rotation a at near end and b at far end

I
L
I
L

I
1 + 0,5 b
a L

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NCCI: Buckling lengths of columns: rigorous approach

NCCI: Buckling lengths of columns: rigorous approach

SN008a-EN-EU

For building frames with concrete floor slabs, provided that the frame is of regular layout and
the loading is uniform, it is normally sufficiently accurate to assume that the effective
stiffness coefficients of the beams are as shown in Table 2.2.

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Table 2.2

Effective stiffness coefficient for a beam in a building frame with concrete floor
slabs

Loading conditions for the beam

Non-sway mode Sway mode

Beams directly supporting concrete floor slabs

1,0

Other beams with direct loads

0,75

Beams with end moments only

0,5

I
L
I
L

I
L

1,0

I
L

1,0

I
L

1,5

I
L

Where, for the same load case, the design moment in any of the beams exceeds Wel fy/M0, as a
conservative assumption the beam may be assumed to be pinned at the point or points
concerned.
Where a beam has semi-rigid joints, its effective stiffness coefficient should be reduced
accordingly.
Where the beams are subject to significant axial forces, their effective stiffness coefficients
should be adjusted accordingly. Stability functions may be used. As a simple alternative, the
increased stiffness coefficient due to axial tension may be neglected and the effects of axial
compression (when N/NE > 0,1) may be allowed for by multiplying the second moment of
area of the beams I by the factor

N
1 0,4
NE

Where

NE =

2 EI
L2

or by using the conservative approximations given in Table 2.3.

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NCCI: Buckling lengths of columns: rigorous approach

NCCI: Buckling lengths of columns: rigorous approach

SN008a-EN-EU

Created on Wednesday, August 18, 2010

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Table 2.3

Approximate formulae for reduced beam stiffness coefficients due to axial

compression

Conditions of rotational restraint at far end of beam

Effective beam stiffness coefficient K

(provided that beam remains elastic)

Fixed

I
N
1,0 1 0,4
L
NE

Pinned

I
N

0,75 1 1,0
L
N E

Rotation as at near end (double curvature)

I
N
1,5 1 0,2

L
N E

Rotation equal and opposite to that at near end (single curvature)

I
N

0,5 1 1,0
L
N E

Page 7

NCCI: Buckling lengths of columns: rigorous approach

NCCI: Buckling lengths of columns: rigorous approach

SN008a-EN-EU

Quality Record
RESOURCE TITLE

NCCI: Buckling lengths of columns: rigorous approach

Reference(s)

EN 1993-1-1

ORIGINAL DOCUMENT
Name

Company

Date

Created by

Matthias Oppe

RWTH

06.06.05

Technical content checked by

Christian Mller

RWTH

10.06.05

Editorial content checked by

D C Iles

SCI

15/7/05

1. UK

G W Owens

SCI

30/6/05

2. France

A bureau

CTICM

30/6/05

3. Sweden

A Olsson

SBI

30/6/05

4. Germany

C Mller

RWTH

30/6/05

5. Spain

J Chica

Labein

30/6/05

G W Owens

SCI

08/6/06

Created on Wednesday, August 18, 2010

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