AXIALLY LOADED COMPRESSION MEMBERS

1.) A column that is 9 m. long is to carry a load of 890 kN. The member will be braced about both
principal axis at top and bottom and in addition will be braced about its minor axis at mid-height.
Using Fy = 345.5 MPa, design a section to carry the loads safely. Kx = Ky = 1.0
Properties of Steel Sections Available

Sections Area rx ry
W 8 x 40 7613 mm2 89.66 mm 51.82 mm
W 8 x 48 9097 mm2 91.69 mm 52.83 mm
W 10 x 49 9290 mm2 110.49 mm 64.52 mm
W 12 x 50 9484 mm2 131.57 mm 49.78 mm
Given:
L=9m
Fy = 345.5 MPa
Kx = Ky = 1.0 890 kN
C = 890 kN
y x
Solution:
a) Assume Fa (Max Fa = 0.6Fy)
Fa = 0.4 Fy
Fa = 0.4 (345.5)
Fa = 138.2 MPa
b) Gross – Area Required
C
Ag = Assumed Fa
890 x 103 4.5 m
Ag = 138.2
Ag = 6439.942 mm2
c) Try W 80 x 40
A = 7613 mm2
rx = 89.66 mm
ry = 51.82 mm
Slenderness Ratio:
KxL 1(9000)
rx
= 89.66 = 100.38
KyL 1(4500) 4.5 m
ry
= 51.82 = 86.64
𝐾𝐿
Use 𝑟 = 100.38 < 200 (SAFE)

Determine if Intermediate or Long Column:

2π2 E
Cc = √ Fy

2π2 (200000)
Cc = √ 345.5
Cc = 106.89 > 100.38 ; Therefore, Intermediate Column
Determine the Actual Allowable Fa:
2
(KL⁄r) Fy
Use: Fa = [1 - 2 Cc 2
] F.S.
 3
5 3(KL⁄r) (KL⁄r)
F.S. = 3 + 8 Cc
- 8 Cc 3
5 3(100.38 ) (100.38 )3
F.S. = 3 + 8(106.89) - 8 (106.89)3
F.S. = 1.92
(100.38)2 345.5
Fa = [1 - ]
2 (106.89)2 1.92
Fa = 100.60 MPa
Determine the Capacity C
Cap. C = Fa Ag
Cap. C = 100.60 (7613)
Cap. C = 765866 N
Cap. C = 765.87 kN < 890 kN ; Therefore, try another section.
d) W 8 x 48
A = 9097 mm2
rx = 91.69 mm
ry = 52.83 mm
Slenderness Ratio:
KxL 1(9000)
= = 98.16
rx 91.69
KyL 1(4500)
= = 85.18
ry 52.83
𝐾𝐿
Use = 98.16 < 200 (SAFE)
𝑟

Determine if Intermediate or Long Column:

2π2 E
Cc = √ Fy

2π2 (200000)
Cc = √ 345.5
Cc = 106.89 > 98.16 ; Therefore, Intermediate Column
Determine the Actual Allowable Fa:
2
(KL⁄r) Fy
Use: Fa = [1 - ]
2 Cc 2 F.S.
3
5 3(KL⁄r) (KL⁄r)
F.S. = 3 + 8 Cc
- 8 Cc 3
5 3(98.16 ) (98.16)3
F.S. = 3 + 8(106.89) - 8 (106.89)3
F.S. = 1.91
(98.16)2 345.5
Fa = [1 - 2 (106.89)2
] 1.91
Fa = 104.62 MPa
Determine the Capacity C
Cap. C = Fa Ag
Cap. C = 104.62 (9097)
Cap. C = 951728 N
Cap. C = 951.73 kN < 890 kN ; SAFE
Therefore, use W 8 x 48
2.) Design the web members U1L1/U1’L1’ & U3M/U3’N of your riveted fink truss which are under
compression. Using two unequal leg angles long legs back to back straddling on a 12 mm gusset plate.
Use AISC specifications & ASTM A36 steel. K=1.0 (pin riveted connection.)

√15.62 +7.82
𝐿𝑜 𝑈1 = 4
= 4.36 m

7.8
𝜃 = tan−1 ( )
15.6
= 26.57°

𝑈1 𝐿1 = 4.36 tan 26.57°

= 2.18 m

FOR MEMBERS U1L1/U1’L1’ & U3M/U3’N:

C = 66.56 kN For AISC ASTM A36 steel:
L = 2.18 m Fy = 248 MPa
tgp = 12 mm
Solution:
a) Assume for Fa :
Max. Fa = 0.6Fy
= 0.6(248)
Max. Fa = 148.8 MPa
Assume Fa = 60 MPa
b) Compute for Gross Area:
𝐶
𝐴𝑔 = 𝐴𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑚𝑒𝑑 𝐹
𝑎
66560
= 60
Ag = 1109.33 mm2 (for 2∠s)
1109.33
= 2
Ag = 554.665 mm2
c) Try Sections:
Try 2∠s 75x50x5 ry = 14.5 mm
Area = 600 mm2 x = 11.9 mm
rx = 24.1 mm y = 24.4 mm
d) Compute for Radius of Gyration & check for Slenderness Ratio:
rx = 24.1 mm
𝑡𝑔𝑝 2
r𝑦 = √ry 2 + (𝑥 + 2
)
12 2
= √14.5 2 + (11.9 + 2
)
ry = 23.04 mm (use)
𝐾𝐿
𝑆𝑅 = 𝑟
≤ 200
1(2180)
23.04
? 200
94.62 < 200 (OKAY)
e) Compute for allowable compressive stress, Fa:
2𝜋2 𝐸 2𝜋2 (200000)
𝐶𝐶 = √ 𝐹𝑦
= √ 248
= 126.17 > 𝑆𝑅 ∴ 𝐼𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑒𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝐶𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑛
5 3(𝑆𝑅) 𝑆𝑅 3
𝐹. 𝑆. = + −
3 8𝐶𝐶 8(𝐶𝐶 )3
5 3(94.62) (94.62)3
= 3
+ 8(126.17)
− 8(126.17)3
𝐹. 𝑆. = 1.895
𝑆𝑅2 𝐹𝑦
𝐹𝑎 = (1 − )( )
2𝐶𝐶 2 𝐹𝑆
(94.62)2 248
= (1 − 2(126.17)2 ) [1.895]
Fa = 94.07 MPa
f) Compute for allowable compressive strength, Capacity C:
Cap. C = AgFa
= 2(600)(94.07)(10-3)
Cap. C = 112.884 kN > Actual C (OKAY!!)
‫ ؞‬USE 2∠s 75x50x5
3.) Determine the maximum length of a W 250x167 section used as a hinged-end column (k=1.0) to
support a load of 1600 kN. Use AISC specifications with Fy = 380 MPa.
Properties of W 250x167:
A = 21300 mm2
rx = 119 mm
ry = 68.1 mm

Given:
C = 1600 kN
K = 1.0
Fy = 380 Mpa

Solution:
a) Determine Fa:
C
Fa = Ag L
1600(1000)
Fa = 21300
Fa = 75.12 MPa
b) Determine Cc:
2π2 E
Cc = √ Fy
2π2 (200000)
Cc = √
380
Cc = 101.93
c) Assume column is intermediate
KL
Let x =
R
x2 Fy
Fa =(1 - 2Cc 2 )( Fs )
5 3x x3
FS = 3 + 8Cc - 8Cc3
x2 Fy
Fa =(1 - 2Cc 2 )( 5 3x x 3
)
+ -
3 8Cc 8Cc 3

Solving for x:
𝑥2 380
75.12 = (1 − )( 𝑥3
)
2(101.93)2 5+ 3𝑥
−
3 8(101.93) 8(101.93)3

x1 = 1.686
x2 = - 1.775
x3 = 0.089
Solving for L using the largest value of x d) Assume column is long
KL 12π2 E
x= Fa= KL
R 23( )2
R
68.1(1.686)
L= 12π2 (200000)
1.0 75.12= 1.0L 2
23( )
L = 114.817 mm (unrealistic) 68.1
L= 7.974 m
4.) A W 250 x 73 is to serve as a pin-ended 12m long column. It is braced at mid-height with
respect to its weak axis.
Properties of W 250 x 73
A= 9280mm² 𝑟𝑥 = 110
d= 253mm 𝑟𝑦 = 64.7
𝑏𝑓 = 254mm 𝐼𝑥 = 113x106 𝑚𝑚4
𝑡𝑓 = 14.2mm 𝐼𝑦 = 38.8x106 𝑚𝑚4
a. Determine the slenderness ratio with respect to y-axis
b. Determine the Euler’s Buckling stress
c. Determine the allowable axial compressive load using a factor of safety of 2.5

Solution:
a) Slenderness ratio with respect to y-axis
𝐾𝐿 1(6000)
𝑟𝑦
= 64.7
𝑲𝑳
𝒓𝒚
= 92.74

b) Euler’s Buckling stress

𝐾𝐿 1(6000)
=
𝑟𝑥 110
𝐾𝐿
𝑟𝑥
= 109.9
𝐿
use 𝑟= 109.9
𝜋²𝐸 𝜋²(200000)
𝐹𝑒 = 𝐿 = (109.9)²
( )²
𝑟
𝑭𝒆 = 165.87MPa
c) Allowable axial compressive load using a factor of safety of 2.5
𝑃𝑒 = 𝐹𝑒 𝐴
𝑃𝑒 = 165.87(9280)
𝑃𝑒 = 1539274N
𝑃𝑒 = 1539.3kN
𝑃𝑒
P=
𝐹.𝑆.
1539.3
P= 2.5
P= 615.72kN
5.) A W 12 x 79 column carries an axial load of 2463.134 kN. A rectangular base plate is required to
support this column. Assume that the base plate will cover the full area of concrete with fc’ = 28 MPa.
Use Fy = 245 MPa.

Properties of W 12 x 79
B
d = 314.45 mm
bf = 306.83 mm
m
Given:
C = 2463.134 kN
fc’ = 28 MPa
Fy = 245 MPa

Solution: C
0.95 d
a) Size of Base Plate:
Allowable bearing stress of concrete:
Fp = 0.35 fc’
Fp = 0.35 (28)
Fp = 9.8 MPa
Trial area of base plate: m
C
A=
Fp
2463134 n
A = 9.8 0.80 bf n
A = 251340 mm2
Assume m = n Equivalent Base Plate
B = 2n + 0.80 bf Rectangular
B = 2n + 0.80(306.83) Section
B = 2n + 245.46 **
C = 2m + 0.95 d
C = 2m + 0.95(314.45)
C = 2m + 298.73 **
BC = 251340 mm2
(2m + 245.46) (2m + 298.73) = 251340
4m + 1088.38m + 73326.27 = 251340
4m2 + 1088.38m + 178013.73 = 0
m2 + 272.10m – 44503.43 = 0 b) Thickness of Base Plate:
m = 114.97 B = 2n + 245.46
480 = 2n + 245.46
Determine Size: n = 117.27
B = 2(114.97) + 245.46
B = 475.1 say 480 mm C = 2m + 298.73
530 = 2m + 298.73
C = 2(114.97) + 298.73
m = 115.64 mm
C = 528.67 say 530 mm
Use x = 117.27 (bigger value)
Use 480 mm x 530 mm Base Plate
3 Fp x 2
P t = √0.75 Fy
fp = BC
2463134 3 (9.8) (117.27)2
fp = t=√
480 (530) 0.75 (245)

fp = 9.68 < 9.8 MPa (OK) t = 46.9 mm say 50 mm

6.) A W 14 x 550 is used as a column to carry an axial load of 3600kN. Design a square base plate to
support the column. The base plate rest on full area of a square concrete block with fc’=21MPa. Use
A36 steel base plate.
Properties of W 14 x 550
𝑏𝑓 = 514
L
d= 437
m
Given:
C = 3600 kN
fc’ = 21 MPa
Fy = 248 Mpa
0.95 d
Solution: L
a) Allowable bearing stress of concrete:
𝐹𝑝 = 0.35fc’
𝐹𝑝 = 0.35(21) = 7.35MPa
b) Size of base plate:
𝑃 3600000 m
Area of base plate = 𝐹𝑝 = 7.35
Area of base plate = 489795 mm² n 0.80 bf n

L = √𝐴 = √489795 Equivalent
Rectangular Base Plate
L = 699.854 say 700mm
Section
700= 2n + 0.8(514)
n= 144.4mm
700= 2m + 0.95(437)
m= 142.425mm

c) Thickness of Base Plate:

use x= n
3𝐹 𝑥 2
𝑝
t= √0.75𝐹
𝑦

3(7.35)(144.4)2
t= √ 0.75(248)
t= 49.718mm say 50mm
therefore use 700 x 700 x 50 mm base plate
7.) Determine the safe load of the column section shown, if it has a yield strength of 250 MPa. E =
200000 MPa. Use NSCP Specifications.

Properties of Channel Section:

A = 3929 mm2 d = 305 mm
tf = 12.7 mm tw = 7.2 mm
Ix = 53.7 x 106 mm4 Iy = 1.61 x 106 mm4
rx = 117 mm x = 17.7 mm
Properties of W 460x74:
A = 9450 mm2 d = 457 mm
bf = 190 mm tf = 14.5 mm
tw = 9.0 mm Ix = 333 x 106 mm4
rx = 118 mm Iy = 16.6 x 106 mm4
ry = 41.9 mm

a.) When the height of column is 6 m.

b.) When the height of column is 10 m.
Assume K = 1.0

Solution:

a) When the height of column is 6 m.

A = A1 + A2 = 3929 + 9450 = 13,379 mm2
13379ӯ = 3929(17.7) + 9450(235.7)
Ӯ = 171.68 mm

Ix = [1.61 x 106 + 3929(153.98)2] + [333 x 106 + 9450(64.02)2]

Ix = 466.5 x 106 mm4
Iy = 53.7 x 106 + 16.6 x 106 = 70.3 x 106 mm4

Use Least I
70.3 x 106
r= √ 13379
r = 72.488 mm

L 6000
𝑆𝑅 = = = 82.77
r 72.488

2π2 E 2π2 (200000)

CC = √ =√ =125.66 > SR ∴Intermediate Column
Fy 250

5 3(SR) SR3
F.S. = 3 + - 8(C
3
8CC C)
5 3(82.77) (82.77)3
= + 8(125.66) − 8(125.66)3
3
F.S. =1.88
SR2 Fy
Fa =(1- 2 )( FS)
2CC
(82.77)2 250
= [1- 2(125.66)2] [ 1.88]
Fa = 104 MPa
 P = FaA
P = 104(13379)(10-3)
P = 1391.4 kN
b) when L = 10 m:
L 10000
SR= r = 72.488
=138> CC ∴Long Column
12π2 E
Fa = 23(SR)2

12π2 (200000)
Fa = 23(138)2

Fa = 54.1 MPa
P = FaA = 54.1(13379)(10-3) = 723.8 kN

8.) A column is made of steel pipe with an outside diameter of 280 mm. The base plate of the column
rests on a circular base plate on concrete pedestal. The column is 3.6 m long and subjected to an axial
load of 900 kN. The allowable compressive stress in steel pipe is 65 MPa and the allowable bearing
stress in concrete pedestal is 12 MPa.
a. What is the required column thickness without exceeding its allowable compressive stress?
b. What is the required diameter of the steel base plate?
c. If the pipe is 10 mm thick, what is the effective slenderness ratio assuming that column is hinged
at both ends? (k=1.0)

Given:
D = 280 mm Fp = 12 MPa
L = 3.6 m Fa = 65 MPa
C = 900 kN
Solution:
C
a. Fa = A

𝜋(2802 − 𝑑2 ) 900(1000)
=
4 65
𝑑 = 246.517 𝑚𝑚

Since D – d = thickness t
therefore, Thickness = 33.483 mm 280 mm

C
b. Fp= d
Ap
KL 3600(1.0)
𝜋(𝐷 2 ) 900(1000) c. = √D2 +d2
R
= 4
4 12
KL 3600(1.0)
𝐝 = 𝟑𝟎𝟗. 𝟎𝟏𝟗 𝐦𝐦 =
R √2802 +246.5172
4
KL
R
= 38.60
 Republic of the Philippines
Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology
College of Engineering
Department of Civil Engineering
Cabanatuan City
Comprehensive Examination 3

Submitted by:

GROUP 2:
Lara Mariz B. Gatbonton
Justine Chris Lina
Kim Eucasion
Gabriel Lopez
BSCS 5-A

Submitted to:

Engr. Ermino G. Enriquez