Compression Members III

George Tsiatas
 Effective Length, KL
• Sometimes columns are stand-alone with
well defined boundary conditions.

• In that case we can determine the

effective length factors from Fig. C-C2.1
Standalone columns
 Effective Length
• But more frequently than
not, columns are part of
frameworks with not very
well defined boundary
conditions at their ends.

• The boundary condition

at an end of the column
would depend on the
relative stiffness between
all the columns and
girders at that location.
 Braced vs Unbraced
• One would need to first determine whether
the column is part of a braced or unbraced
structure.
• An unbraced column sways laterally while
buckling.
• In a braced column the end joints do not
move laterally while buckling.
Braced Frames
Braced Frame
 Relative stiffness
• The relative rotational stiffness between
columns and beams at a joint is expressed
using the coefficient G

Ic The summation in the numerator

∑L includes all columns converging
G= c
at the joint. The summation in
Ig
∑L the denominator includes all
girders converging at the joint.
g
Consider column AB
 Effective Length Factor K
• Determine whether column is braced or
unbraced
• Calculate G for the two ends of the column
(GA, GB)
• Use the appropriate nomograph from
AISC Commentary C2 to get K
Unbraced, K≥1
Braced, K≤1
 Effective length factor, K
2
G A G B  π   G A + G B  π π  2 π
  +  1 − cot  + tan −1 = 0 (1)
4 K  2  K K  π /K 2K

2
π  π π
G A G B   − 6 (G A + G B ) cot − 36 = 0 (2)
K K K

• (1): Sidesway inhibited (braced)

• (2): Sidesway uninhibited (unbraced)
 Supports
Gtheoretical Grecommended

Fixed Base 0 1
Pinned Base ∞ 10

• The recommended values account for the fact that the

actual support conditions only approximate the ideal
fixity restraint.
 Calculating the G factors
• In calculating the G factor for a
column end joint care must be taken
on the proper consideration of Ic and Ic
Ig. ∑L
• Typically, Ig = Ix since beams are G= c
Ig
positioned to bend about their strong
axis.
∑L
g
• But Ic =Ix or Iy depending on the
orientation of the column and the
direction considered.
 Assumptions for Nomographs
• Members are elastic, constant cross
section, connected with rigid joints

• All columns buckle at the same time in a

symmetric pattern
 Elastic behavior
• Columns buckle elastically with E, and beams bend
elastically with E.
• The modulus of elasticity, E, cancels

4 EI c Ic
∑
Column Stiffness columns Lc
∑
columns Lc
G= = =
Girder Stiffness 4 EI g Ig
∑
girders Lg
∑
girders Lg
 Inelastic Behavior
• Frequently columns buckle inelastically with
modulus ET. Beams bend elastically with
modulus E. In that case one can define G as:
4 Et I c Ic
∑
column stiffness columns Lc
∑
Et columns Lc
Ginelastic = = = ×
girder stiffness 4 EI g E Ig
∑
girders L
∑
girders Lg
g

Ginelastic = τ × Gelastic
Eτ
where τ = = Stiffness Reduction Factor (SRF)
E
 Stiffness Reduction Factor, τ
Pu
Et Fcr ,inelastic φA
τ= ≈ ≈
E Fcr ,elastic Fcr ,elastic

The SRF is tabulated in Part 4 of the Manual, p. 4-20,

Table 4-1 as a function of the Pu/A ratio for a column
 Built-up Columns

• Two or more shapes

• Can be close to each
other (double angles)
• Can be at a distance
for higher loads (four
angles in cranes)
Built-up sections for columns
 No connection between the two
back-to-back sections

The two components resist loads independently from each other. Moment of inertia
of the combined section equals the sum of the I of the two components..
 Connected Components

• For fully connected case section bends as a unit

• Note the partially connected case
Partially connected elements

• Connectors should
be spaced
sufficiently close so
that capacity is close
to fully connected
case.

Note that the two angles interact during bending

about the y-y axis but they bend independently
about the x-x axis
 Built-up sections
• (KL/r)x is calculated the
usual way.
• For buckling about the y
axis, the two angles
interact and one needs to
calculate a modified
(KL/r)y → (KL/r)m
• Connector spacing
should be limited so that
buckling of individual
angles is not critical
 Modified Slenderness
Snug-tight bolted intermediate connectors

2 2
 KL   KL   a 
  =   + 
 r m  r  0  ri 

Welded or fully-tensioned bolted intermediate

connectors
2 2
 KL   KL  α a
2
  =   + 0.82 2 
 
 r m  r 0 (1 + α )  rib 
 Definitions
• (KL/r)m: Modified slenderness for buckling mode that
introduces shear between connectors
• (KL/r)o: Unmodified slenderness about that axis
• a: connector spacing
• ri: min radius of gyration of individual component
• rib: radius of gyration of individual component
relative to its centroidal axis parallel to
member axis of buckling
• α: separation ratio = h/(2rib)
• h: Distance between centroids of individual
components perpendicular to the member
axis of buckling
 Built-up Columns
• Connector spacing should ensure that
slenderness of individual components should
satisfy:

KL 3  KL 
≤ × 
ri 4  r  governing for built -up member