Compression Members

COLUMN STABILITY

A. Flexural Buckling
Elastic Buckling
Inelastic Buckling
Yielding
B. Local Buckling Section E7 pp 16.1-39
and B4 pp 16.1-14
C. Lateral Torsional Buckling

AISC Requirements
CHAPTER E pp 16.1-32
Nominal Compressive Strength

Pn Fcr Ag
AISC Eqtn E3-1

AISC Requirements

LRFD

Pu c Pn
Pu Sum of factored loads

c resistance factor for compression 0.90

c Pn design compressive strength

Design Strength

In Summary

Fy

0.658 F Fy

KL
E
if
4.71
r
Fy
or Fe 0.44 Fy

Fcr

0.877 Fe

KL
200
r

otherwise

Local Stability - Section B4 pp 16.1-14

Local Stability:
If elements of cross section are thin LOCAL buckling occurs

The strength corresponding to any buckling mode cannot be developed

Local Stability - Section B4 pp 16.1-14

Local Stability:
If elements of cross section are thin LOCAL buckling occurs

The strength corresponding to any buckling mode cannot be developed

Local Stability - Section B4 pp 16.1-14

Stiffened Elements of Cross-Section

Unstiffened Elements of Cross-Section

Local Stability - Section B4 pp 16.1-14

Compact
Section Develops its full plastic stress before buckling
(failure is due to yielding only)

Noncompact
Yield stress is reached in some but not all of its compression elements
before buckling takes place
(failure is due to partial buckling partial yielding)

Slender
Yield stress is never reached in any of the compression elements
(failure is due to local buckling only)

Local Stability - Section B4 pp 16.1-14

If local buckling occurs cross section is not fully effective

Avoid whenever possible

Measure of susceptibility to local buckling

Width-Thickness ratio of each cross sectional element:
If cross section has slender elements - r
Reduce Axial Strength (E7 pp 16.1-39 )

Slenderness Parameter - Limiting Values

AISC B5 Table B4.1
pp 16.1-16

Slenderness Parameter - Limiting Values

AISC B5 Table B4.1

pp 16.1-17

Slenderness Parameter - Limiting Values

AISC B5 Table B4.1

pp 16.1-18

Slender Cross Sectional Element:

Strength Reduction E7 pp 16.1-39
Reduction Factor Q:

QFy

0.658 F QFy

KL
E
if
4.71
r
QFy
or Fe 0.44QFy

Fcr

0.877 Fe

otherwise

Q: B4.1 B4.2 pp 16.1-40 to 16.1-43

Slender Cross Sectional Element:

Strength Reduction E7 pp 16.1-39
Reduction Factor Q:

e
0.658 F

QFy

Fy

if

KL
E
4.71
r
QFy
or Fe 0.44QFy

Fcr

0.877 Fe otherwise

Q=QsQa
Qs, Qa: B4.1 B4.2 pp 16.1-40 to 16.1-43

COLUMN STABILITY

A. Flexural Buckling
Elastic Buckling
Inelastic Buckling
Yielding
B. Local Buckling Section E7 pp 16.1-39
and B4 pp 16.1-14
C. Torsional, Lateral/Torsional Buckling

Torsional & Flexural Torsional Buckling

When an axially loaded member becomes unstable overall
(no local buckling) it buckles one of the three ways

Flexural Buckling
Torsional Buckling
Flexural-Torsional
Buckling

Torsional Buckling
Twisting about longitudinal axis of member
Only with doubly symmetrical cross sections with slender crosssectional elements
Cruciform shape particularly
vulnerable
Standard Hot-Rolled Shapes are
NOT susceptible
Built-Up Members should be
investigated

Flexural Torsional Buckling

Combination of Flexural and Torsional Buckling
Only with unsymmetrical cross sections
1 Axis of Symmetry: channels, structural
tees, double-angle,
equal length single
angles
No Axis of Symmetry: unequal length single
angles

Torsional Buckling

ECw
1
Fe

2
K z L GJ I x I y
2

Eq. E4-4

Cw = Warping Constant (in6)

Kz = Effective Length Factor for Torsional Buckling
(based on end restraints against twisting)
G = Shear Modulus (11,200 ksi for structural steel)
J = Torsional Constant

Lateral Torsional Buckling 1-Axis of Symmetry

Fe

Fey Fez
4 Fey Fez H

1 1
2H
Fey Fez

2E
Fey
K y L ry 2

H 1
xo , yo

xo2 yo2
r

2
o

AISC Eq. E4-5

2 ECw
1
Fez
GJ
2
2

K
L
z

Ag r o
2
o

r x y
2
o

2
o

Ix Iy
Ag

Coordinates of shear center w.r.t centroid of section

Lateral Torsional Buckling No Axis of Symmetry

Fe Fex Fe Fey Fe Fez

2

xo
F Fe Fey

ro
2
e

yo
F Fe Fex

ro
2
e

Fe is the lowest root of the

Cubic equation

AISC Eq. E4-6

In Summary - Definition of Fe

Fe:

Elastic Buckling Stress corresponding to the controlling mode of

failure (flexural, torsional or flexural torsional)

Theory of Elastic Stability (Timoshenko & Gere 1961)

Flexural Buckling

2E
Fe
KL / r 2

Torsional Buckling Flexural Torsional

2-axis of symmetry Buckling
1 axis of symmetry

AISC Eqtn
E4-4

AISC Eqtn
E4-5

Flexural Torsional
Buckling
No axis of symmetry

AISC Eqtn
E4-6

Column Strength

0.658

Fy

Fy

Fe

Fcr

if Fe 0.44 Fy

0.877 Fe

otherwise

Pn Fcr Ag

EXAMPLE
Compute the compressive strength of a WT12x81 of A992 steel.
Assume (KxL) = 25.5 ft, (KyL) = 20 ft, and (Kz L) = 20 ft
FLEXURAL Buckling X axis
WT 12X81
Ag=23.9 in2
rx=3.50 in
ry=3.05 in

KL K x L 25.5 12

87.43 200
r
rx
3.50
4.71

E
29,000
4.71
113 87.43
Fy
50

OK
Inelastic Buckling

2E
2 29,000
Fe

37.44 ksi
2
2
KL r
87.43
Fy

Fe

Fcr 0.658

50

37.44

Fy 0.658

(50) 28.59 ksi

Pn Fcr Ag 28.59( 23.9) 683.3 kips

EXAMPLE
FLEXURAL TORSIONAL Buckling Y axis (axis of symmetry)
WT 12X81
Ag=23.9 in2
rx=3.50 in
ry=3.05 in

KyL
ry

20 12
78.69 200
3.05

2E
Fey
KyL r y

OK

2 29,000

46.22 ksi
2
78.69

y=2.70 in
tf=1.22 in

Shear Center

Ix=293 in4
Iy=221 in4

x0 0

J=9.22 in4
Cw=43.8 in6

y0 y

Ix Iy
r x y
Ag
2
o

2
o

2
o

293 221
0 ( 2.09)
25.87
23.9
2

tf
2

EXAMPLE
FLEXURAL TORSIONAL Buckling Y axis (axis of symmetry)
WT 12X81
Ag=23.9 in2
rx=3.50 in
ry=3.05 in
y=2.70 in
tf=1.22 in
Ix=293 in4
Iy=221 in4
J=9.22 in4
Cw=43.8 in6

2 ECw
1
Fez
GJ
2
2

K
L
z

Ag r o
2 ( 29,000)( 43.8)

11,200(9.22)
2
2

20
12
23
.
9
25
.
87

167.4ksi

EXAMPLE
FLEXURAL TORSIONAL Buckling Y axis (axis of symmetry)
WT 12X81
Ag=23.9 in

H 1

0 2.090
1
0.8312
25.87
2

xo2 yo2
r

2
o

rx=3.50 in
ry=3.05 in

Fey Fez
Fe

2H

y=2.70 in
tf=1.22 in

4 Fey Fez H

Fey Fez

1 1

46.22 167.4
4 46.22 167.4 0.8312

1 1

2
2 0.8312
46.22 167.4

Ix=293 in4
Iy=221 in4
J=9.22 in4
Cw=43.8 in

53.63ksi

EXAMPLE
FLEXURAL TORSIONAL Buckling Y axis (axis of symmetry)
WT 12X81
Ag=23.9 in2
rx=3.50 in

Elastic or Inelastic LTB?

0.44 Fy 0.44(50) 22.0ksi Fe 43.63

ry=3.05 in

0.658

y=2.70 in
tf=1.22 in
Ix=293 in4
Iy=221 in4
J=9.22 in4
Cw=43.8 in6

Fy

Fy

Fe

Fcr

if Fe 0.44 Fy

0.877 Fe

otherwise

EXAMPLE
FLEXURAL TORSIONAL Buckling Y axis (axis of symmetry)
WT 12X81
Ag=23.9 in2
rx=3.50 in
ry=3.05 in
y=2.70 in
tf=1.22 in
Ix=293 in4
Iy=221 in4
J=9.22 in4
Cw=43.8 in6

Fcr 0.658

0.658

Fy

Fy

Fe

50
43.63

50 28.59ksi

Pn Fcr Ag 30.95( 2.70) 739.7kips

Compare to FLEXURAL Buckling X axis

Pn Fcr Ag 21.82( 23.9) 683.3 kips

Column Design Tables

Assumption : Strength Governed by Flexural Buckling
Check Local Buckling
Column Design Tables
Design strength of selected shapes for effective length KL
Table 4-1 to 4-2, (pp 4-10 to 4-316)
Critical Stress for Slenderness KL/r
table 4.22 pp (4-318 to 4-322)

EXAMPLE
Compute the available compressive strength of a W14x74 A992 steel
compression member. Assume pinned ends and L=20 ft. Use (a) Table 422 and (b) column load tables
(a) LRFD - Table 4-22 pp 4-318

Maximum

KL KL (1)( 20)(12)

96.77 200
r
ry
2.48

Fy=50 ksi
Table has integer values of (KL/r) Round up or interpolate

Pcr 22.67ksi
Pn Pcr Ag 22.67( 21.8) 494ksi

EXAMPLE
Compute the available compressive strength of a W14x74 A992 steel
compression member. Assume pinned ends and L=20 ft. Use (a) Table 422 and (b) column load tables
(b) LRFD Column Load Tables
Tabular values based on minimum radius of gyration

Maximum KL (1)( 20) 20 ft

c Pn 494kips

Fy=50 ksi

Example II
A W12x58, 24 feet long in pinned at both ends and braced in the weak
direction at the third points. A992 steel is used. Determine available
compressive strength

Ag 17

rx 5.28
ry 2.51

K x L 1(24)(12)

54.55 200
rx
5.28
K y L 1(8)(12)

38.25 200
ry
2.51
Enter table 4.22 with KL/r=54.55 (LRFD)

Pcr 36.24ksi
Pn Pcr Ag 36.24(17)
616kips

Example II
A W12x58, 24 feet long in pinned at both ends and braced in the weak
direction at the third points. A992 steel is used. Determine available
compressive strength

Ag 17

rx 5.28
ry 2.51

K x L 1(24)(12)

54.55 200
rx
5.28
K y L 1(8)(12)

38.25 200
ry
2.51
Enter table 4.22 with KL/r=54.55 (ASD)

Fcr
24.09ksi
c
Pn
Fcr

Ag 410kips
c c

Example II
A W12x58, 24 feet long in pinned at both ends and braced in the weak
direction at the third points. A992 steel is used. Determine available
compressive strength

K x L 1( 24)(12)

54.55 200
rx
5.28

CAN I USE Column Load Tables?

K y L 1(8)(12)

38.25 200
ry
2.51

Not Directly because they are

based on min r (y axis buckling)

If x-axis buckling enter table with

KxL
KL
rx ry

Example II
A W12x58, 24 feet long in pinned at both ends and braced in the weak
direction at the third points. A992 steel is used. Determine available
compressive strength

K x L 1( 24)(12)

54.55 200
rx
5.28
K y L 1(8)(12)

38.25 200
ry
2.51

X-axis buckling enter table with

K x L (1)( 24)
KL

11.43 ft
rx ry
2.1

Pn 616kips