BRESLER EQUATION

A method published by Professor Boris Bresler in 1960 relates the desired value of ØPn under
biaxial loading (ex and ey) to three other Pu values.
1 1 1 1
= + −
𝑃𝑛 𝑃𝑛𝑥 𝑃𝑛𝑦 𝑃𝑛𝑜

Where
Pnx = axial load capacity of the column for eccentricity ex with ey = 0
Pny = axial load capacity of the column for eccentricity ey with ex = 0
Pno = pure axial capacity of the column

The Bresler equation works well as long as Pn is at least as large as 0.1Pno. Should Pn be less than
0.1Pno, it is satisfactory to neglect the axial force completely and design as a member subject to
biaxial bending only.

Procedure to determine the load capacity of column for a given eccentricity:

1. Calculate ρg
2. Determine the ratio γ
ℎ−2𝑑′
γ=
ℎ
3. Determine e/h
4. Select the appropriate interaction diagram.
5. From the interaction diagram, draw the line e/h.
6. Locate the intersection of line e/h and ρg. Draw a horizontal line and read the value on
vertical axis
7. Determine the Pn.

Example: Using the attached Interaction Diagrams, calculate the axial load that can be carried by the column
shown below at the given eccentricities. Assume f’c = 27.6 MPa (4 ksi) and fy = 414 MPa (60 ksi)

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