Compression Members under concentric axial loads

There are few situations where structural steel elements are subjected to concentric compressive axial
forces without any accompanying bending moment. Examples include truss
web members, compression chords of some trusses, and some columns in buildings. Smaller
compression members are sometimes called posts or struts.

In structural steel, the common shapes used for columns are wide flange shapes; round and square hollow
structural sections (HSS), and built-up sections. For truss members, double- or single-angle shapes are
used, as well as round and square HSS and WT-shapes (see Figure 5-1).

Consider the two axially loaded members shown in Figure 5-2. In Figure 5-2a, the column
is short enough that the failure mode is by crushing compression. This is called a short
column. For the longer column shown in Figure 5-2b, the failure mode is buckling at the
midspan of the member. This is called a slender, or long, column. Intermediate columns fail
by a combination of buckling and compression.

1. AISCM, Table C-C2.2—The recommended design values from this table are commonly used in
design practice to determine the effective lengths of columns because the theoretical values
assume idealized end support conditions.
2. Nomographs or alignment charts (AISCM, Tables C-C2.3 and C-C2.4)—The alignment charts use
the actual restraints at the girder-to-column connections to determine the effective length factor,
K.
 LOCAL STABILITY of COLUMNS

In Section B4 of the AISCM, three possible local stability parameters are defined: compact, noncompact, or
slender. A compact section reaches its cross-sectional material strength, or capacity, before local buckling
occurs. In a noncompact section, only a portion of the cross-section reaches its yield strength before local
buckling occurs. In a slender section, the cross-section does not yield and the strength of the member is
governed by local buckling.
There are also two type of elements of a column section that are defined in the AISCM: stiffened and
unstiffened. Stiffened elements are supported along both edges parallel to the applied axial load.

The limiting criteria for compact, noncompact, and slender elements as a function of the width-to-
thickness ratio is shown in Table 5-1.
Column Analysis

1. AISC Equations, using the bigger kL/r.

2. Using AISC Table 4-22
3. Using AISC Table 4-1 to 4-12

Analysis using AISCM Equations

Calculate the design compressive strength of a W12 x 65 column, 20 ft. long, and pinned at both ends.
Use ASTM A572 steel.

Analysis using AISCM Tables

Determine the design compressive strength for a pin-ended HSS 8 ×8 ×3⁄8 column of ASTM A500, grade B
steel with an unbraced length of 35 ft.