Compression Member

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 Definition
• A structural member which is straight and is
subjected to compressive forces along its axis
is called a compression member
• In RCC buildings, its termed as Column
• In steel buildings, its called as stanchion
• In roof truss or bracing, its called
strut(Inclined member)

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 Modes of failure
• Squashing/Crushing

The member fails due to yielding/crushing as the load reaches squash load

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• Local Buckling

Different rolled sections used in steel structures ex. I section, Channel section etc.
Individual elements of like flange or web may fail, though the overall deflection may
be negligible. Such failures are called local buckling.

This may be prevented by following suitable limits on width to thickness ratios for
flange and web

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 Overall flexural buckling

Ex. In case of long slender columns.( length is long in comparison to lateral

dimension)
The load at failure is less than the squash load and depends on the degree
of slenderness. As the slenderness increases, failure load decreases.

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 Torsional Buckling

• Member fails due to twisting about the longitudinal

axis. Unsymmetrical sections like channel section,
Angle sections are more likely to fail due to torsional
buckling

Flexural Torsional Buckling

•This failure takes place if member is subjected to

torsion and buckling simultaneously.

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Types of compression members
• Short
• Long
• Intermediate

Euler’s theory of long columns

Pcr- critical load

Critical stress inversely
L-kl effective length based on end conditions
proportional to slenderness
σcr- critical stress
ratio.
λ- slenderness ratio (kl/r), r- least radius of gyration
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Factors affecting strength of compression member

The residual stresses are the internal stresses

which are present in the material even after the
removal of load

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 Commonly used sections

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Built up/ fabricated sections formed by joining 2 or more sections
The Choice of a column section depends on the Load and its nature( Eccentric or Axial)
Individual sections may be used like Single I section, single angle or a single channel
section or combination of units like double angle, double channel etc may also be used.

For columns with axial/eccentric load, I sections are mostly preferred.

Due to symmetry about both axes they are efficient sections and can be connected to
beams easily via flange or web.
A single unit ISHB section is an economical column section. I sections can be further
strengthened by using cover plates on top and bottom, in case more loads are to be
taken by the member. A four unit angle or a double channel section can also be used as
a column.

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Effective length= k (Total length of member)
As per IS800-2007, both ends fixed k=0.65
both ends pinned/hinged k=1.0
One end fixed, one end hinged k=0.8
One end fixed, one end free k=2

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Types of Problems

1.To find the Load carrying capacity /Design

compressive strength of a given steel column.
2.To design a column for a given design load.

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Type 1 Problem:
Finding the load carrying capacity of a steel column OR Design
compressive strength of a column

REFER SECTION 7 OF IS 800-2007( PAGE 34)

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Alternative method

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VASTUKALA ACADEMY AP222 KREVO
Problem 1: (University exam 2019)
Determine the design axial load on column section ISMB 400, given that the height
of column is 4 m and its pin ended at both the ends. Assume E=2x105 N/mm2 , fy=420
N/mm2 . Use the tables provided in IS 800-2007

h/bf= 400/140 = 2.86 > 1.2

From table 10, Buckling class
tf = 16mm < 40mm
along zz axis is a
Since ryy< rzz therefore axis YY
Along yy axis is b
is weaker. Hence we would
refer to buckling class along yy
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i.e. b . So Table 9b
Step 1: Write the relevant properties of the section using steel table.

Step 2: Check the buckling class of the cross section, using Table 10 IS800-2007.

Step 3- Calculation of Slenderness Ratio SR. For this effective length needs to be
calculated first, based on end conditions of the compression member(Column)

Step 4 For calculating SR always use least radius of gyration value.( lesser value
among rxx and ryy)

Step 5 Refer to the table 9 for Design compressive stress value (Mpa) Fcd .

Step 6 Table 9 has following four parts 9a, 9b, 9c and 9d. Where a, b, c and d
represent buckling class in weaker direction.

Step 7- The design compressive strength of a given column can be calculated using
the formula

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Practice Question 2

An ISHB 400 @ 806.4N/m is used as a column 4m long with both the ends
restrained against translation and rotation. Determine the design compressive load
for the column. Consider fy =420N/mm2)

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