SN008a-EN-EU - NCCI - Buckling Lengths of Columns - Rigorous Approach PDF

NCCI: Buckling lengths of columns: rigorous approach

SN008a-EN-EU

This NCCI gives information concerning the calculation of the buckling length for
columns, to be used for the buckling verification (slenderness approach). Simple aids (e.g.
diagrams, tables) are presented.
Contents
1. Basis 2
2. Columns in building frames 2

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Created on Wednesday, August 18, 2010
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1. Basis
The buckling length Lcr of a compression member is the length of an otherwise similar
member with “pinned ends” (ends restrained against lateral movement but free to rotate in the
plane of buckling) which has the same elastic critical buckling load.
In the absence of more accurate information, the theoretical buckling length for elastic critical
buckling may conservatively be adopted.
An equivalent buckling length may be used to relate the critical load of a member subject to
non-uniform loading to that of an otherwise similar member subject to uniform loading.
An equivalent buckling length may also be used to relate the critical load of a non-uniform
member to that of a uniform member under similar conditions of loading and restraint.
2. Columns in building frames

The buckling length Lcr of a column in a non-sway mode may be obtained from Figure 2.1.
Pinned
Fixed
Fixed Pinned
Figure 2.1 Buckling length ratio Lcr / L for a column in a non-sway mode
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The buckling length Lcr of a column in a sway mode may be obtained from Figure 2.2.
Pinned
Fixed
Fixed Pinned
Figure 2.2 Buckling length ratio Lcr / L for a column in a sway mode
The following empirical expressions may be used as conservative approximations instead of

reading values from Figure 2.1 and Figure 2.2:
a) non-sway mode (Figure 2.1)
Lcr
= 0,5 + 0,14(η1 + η 2 ) + 0,055(η1 + η 2 )
2
(2.1)
L
b) sway mode (Figure 2.2)

Lcr 1 − 0,2(η1 + η 2 ) − 0,12η1η 2

= (2.2)
L 1 − 0,8(η1 + η 2 ) + 0,6η1η 2
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For the theoretical models shown in Figure 2.3 the distribution factors η1 and η2 are obtained
from:
Kc
η1 = (2.3)
K c + K 11 + K 12
Kc
η2 = (2.4)
K c + K 21 + K 22
where Kc is the column stiffness coefficient I/L
and Kij is the effective beam stiffness coefficient

(a) Non-sway mode (b) Sway mode
Figure 2.3 Distribution factors for columns
These models may be adapted to the design of continuous column, by assuming that each
length of column is loaded to the same value ratio (N/Ncr). In the general case where (N/Ncr)
varies, this leads to a conservative value of Lcr/L for the most critical length of column.
For each length of a continuous column the assumption made above may be introduced by
using the model shown in Figure 2.4 and obtaining the distribution factors η1 and η2 from:
K c + K1
η1 = (2.5)
K c + K1 + K11 + K 12
Kc + K2
η2 = (2.6)
K c + K 2 + K 21 + K 22
where K1 and K2 are the stiffness coefficients for the adjacent lengths of column.
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Figure 2.4 Distribution factors for continuous column
Where the beams are not subject to significant axial forces, their effective stiffness
coefficients may be determined by reference to Table 2.1, provided that they remain elastic
under the design moments.
Table 2.1 Effective stiffness coefficient for a beam
Effective beam stiffness coefficient K

Conditions of rotational restraint at far end of beam
(provided that beam remains elastic)
I
Fixed at far end 1,0
L
I
Pinned at far end 0,75
L
Rotation as at near end I
1,5
(double curvature) L
Rotation equal and opposite to that at near end I

0,5
(single curvature) L
General case ⎛ θ ⎞I
⎜⎜1 + 0,5 b ⎟⎟
Rotation θa at near end and θb at far end
⎝ θa ⎠ L
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For building frames with concrete floor slabs, provided that the frame is of regular layout and
the loading is uniform, it is normally sufficiently accurate to assume that the effective
stiffness coefficients of the beams are as shown in Table 2.2.
Table 2.2 Effective stiffness coefficient for a beam in a building frame with concrete floor
slabs
Loading conditions for the beam Non-sway mode Sway mode
I I
Beams directly supporting concrete floor slabs 1,0 1,0
L L
I I
Other beams with direct loads 0,75 1,0
L L
I I
Beams with end moments only 0,5 1,5
L L
Where, for the same load case, the design moment in any of the beams exceeds Wel fy/γM0, as a
conservative assumption the beam may be assumed to be pinned at the point or points
concerned.
Where a beam has semi-rigid joints, its effective stiffness coefficient should be reduced
accordingly.
Where the beams are subject to significant axial forces, their effective stiffness coefficients
should be adjusted accordingly. Stability functions may be used. As a simple alternative, the
increased stiffness coefficient due to axial tension may be neglected and the effects of axial
compression (when N/NE > 0,1) may be allowed for by multiplying the second moment of
area of the beams I by the factor
⎛ N ⎞
⎜⎜1 − 0,4 ⎟⎟
⎝ NE ⎠
π 2 EI
Where NE =
L2
or by using the conservative approximations given in Table 2.3.

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Table 2.3 Approximate formulae for reduced beam stiffness coefficients due to axial
compression
Effective beam stiffness coefficient K

Conditions of rotational restraint at far end of beam
(provided that beam remains elastic)
I⎛ N ⎞
Fixed 1,0 ⎜⎜1 − 0,4 ⎟⎟
L⎝ NE ⎠
I⎛ N ⎞
0,75 ⎜⎜1 − 1,0 ⎟
N E ⎟⎠
Pinned
L⎝
I⎛ N ⎞
1,5 ⎜⎜1 − 0,2 ⎟
N E ⎟⎠
Rotation as at near end (double curvature)
L⎝
I⎛ N ⎞
0,5 ⎜⎜1 − 1,0 ⎟
N E ⎟⎠
Rotation equal and opposite to that at near end (single curvature)
L⎝
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Quality Record
RESOURCE TITLE NCCI: Buckling lengths of columns: rigorous approach
Reference(s) EN 1993-1-1
ORIGINAL DOCUMENT
Name Company Date
Created by Matthias Oppe RWTH 06.06.05
Technical content checked by Christian Müller RWTH 10.06.05
Editorial content checked by D C Iles SCI 15/7/05
Technical content endorsed by the

following STEEL Partners:
1. UK G W Owens SCI 30/6/05
2. France A bureau CTICM 30/6/05
3. Sweden A Olsson SBI 30/6/05

4. Germany C Müller RWTH 30/6/05
5. Spain J Chica Labein 30/6/05
Resource approved by Technical G W Owens SCI 08/6/06

Coordinator
TRANSLATED DOCUMENT
This Translation made and checked by:
Translated resource approved by:

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NCCI: Buckling lengths of columns: rigorous approach

NCCI: Buckling lengths of columns: rigorous approach

NCCI: Buckling lengths of columns: rigorous approach

2. Columns in building frames 2

NCCI: Buckling lengths of columns: rigorous approach

2. Columns in building frames

NCCI: Buckling lengths of columns: rigorous approach

The following empirical expressions may be used as conservative approximations instead of

a) non-sway mode (Figure 2.1)

b) sway mode (Figure 2.2)

Lcr 1 − 0,2(η1 + η 2 ) − 0,12η1η 2

NCCI: Buckling lengths of columns: rigorous approach

where Kc is the column stiffness coefficient I/L

and Kij is the effective beam stiffness coefficient

(a) Non-sway mode (b) Sway mode

Figure 2.3 Distribution factors for columns

NCCI: Buckling lengths of columns: rigorous approach

Figure 2.4 Distribution factors for continuous column

Table 2.1 Effective stiffness coefficient for a beam

Effective beam stiffness coefficient K

Rotation equal and opposite to that at near end I

NCCI: Buckling lengths of columns: rigorous approach

Loading conditions for the beam Non-sway mode Sway mode

or by using the conservative approximations given in Table 2.3.

NCCI: Buckling lengths of columns: rigorous approach

Effective beam stiffness coefficient K

NCCI: Buckling lengths of columns: rigorous approach

Name Company Date

Created by Matthias Oppe RWTH 06.06.05

Technical content checked by Christian Müller RWTH 10.06.05

Editorial content checked by D C Iles SCI 15/7/05

Technical content endorsed by the

1. UK G W Owens SCI 30/6/05

2. France A bureau CTICM 30/6/05

3. Sweden A Olsson SBI 30/6/05

4. Germany C Müller RWTH 30/6/05

5. Spain J Chica Labein 30/6/05

Resource approved by Technical G W Owens SCI 08/6/06

This Translation made and checked by:

Translated resource approved by:

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