Beam Column:

Beam column is a structural member that is subjected to axial

compression and transverse bending at the same time. A beam column differs from a
column only by the presence of the eccentricity of the load application, end moment, or
transverse load. Beam columns are found in frame-type structures where the columns are
subjected to other than pure concentric axial loads and axial deformations, and where
the beams are subjected to axial loads in addition to transverse loads
and flexural deformations.

INTERACTION FORMULAS
The relationship between required and available strengths may be expressed as:

required strength
1.0 Eq. 1
available strength

For compression members, the strengths are axial forces.

P
1.0
∅ P

P required axial strength

∅ P Available axial strength

If more than one type of resistance is involved, Equation 1 can be used to form the basis
of an interaction formula. If both bending and axial compression are acting, the
interaction formula would be:

P M
1.0
∅P ∅" M

M required moment strength

∅" M Available moment strength

Beam Column (Page 1)
For biaxial bending, there will be two moment ratios:

P M & M '
+% + ( ≤ 1.0 (Eq. 2)
∅P ∅" M & ∅" M '

Where the x and y subscripts refer to bending about the x and y axes.

Equation 2 is the basis formulas for members subject to bending plus axial compressive
load. Two formulas are given in the Specification: one for small axial load and one for
large axial load. If the axial load is small, the axial load term is reduced. For large axial
load, the bending term is slightly reduced, as follows:

P
for ≥ 0.2
∅P

P 8 M & M '
+ % + ( ≤ 1.0
∅P 9 ∅" M & ∅" M '

P
for < 0.2
∅P

P M & M '
+% + ( ≤ 1.0
2∅ P ∅" M & ∅" M '

Example: The beam–column shown in Figure is pinned at both ends and is subjected to the
loads shown. Bending is about the strong axis. Determine whether this member satisfies

amplification. Assume the load combination is 01.2 × P2 + 1.6 × P4 5.

the appropriate Specification interaction equation. Fy=50 ksi. Disregard the moment

Beam Column (Page 2)

Solution:

For W10 x 49: A=14.4 in2, bf=10.0”, tf=0.56”, d=9.98”,tw=0.34”, k=1 3/16”, rx=4.35”,
ry=2.54”, bf/2tf=8.9”
Column Calculations:
Check local buckling:
b6 E
≤ 0.56 8
2t 6 F'

?
29000
⏞ 0.56 8
8.9 ≤
50

8.9 ≤ 13.49 No flange local buckling

h E
≤ 1.49 8
tA F'

d − 2k E
≤ 1.49 8
tA F'

9.98 − 2(1.1875) 29000

≤ 1.49 8
0.34 50
22.367 < 35.9 No web local buckling
KL KL 1.0(17 × 12)
Maximum = = = 80.315 < 200 (OK)
r r' 2.54
PH = F' AI = 50 × 14.4 = 720 kip
πM E 29000
PK = ( )
M AI = 3.1415 × 80.315M 14.4 = 638.95 PQR
M
KL
N O
r

Beam Column (Page 3)

PK 638.95
= = 0.887 > 0.44 then:
PH 720
V [MH
P = U0.658 VX Y P = Z0.658 \]^._` a (720) = 449.263 kip
N WO N O
H

Pb = ∅ P = 0.9 × 449.263 = 404.337 kip

Beam Calculations:

Check section compact:

b6 ?
E 29000
⏞
= 8.9 ≤ 0.388 = 0.388 = 9.15 ∴ Compact flange
2t 6 F' 50

h ? E
⏞ 3.768
≤
tA F'

9.98 − 2(1.1875) ? 29000

≤⏞ 3.768
0.34 50
22.37 < 90.55 ∴ Compact web
L" = 17 ft and C" = 1.32. First, determine Le and Lb :
Le = 8.97 ft.
Lb = 31.6 ft.
Me = F' Z& = 50(60.4) = 3020 in. kips = 251.67 ft kips
Since Le < L" < Lb ,
L" − Le
M = C" UMe − iMe − 0.7F' S& j k lY ≤ Me
Lb − Le
Beam Column (Page 4)
 17 − 8.97
M = 1.32 Z3020 − (3020 − 0.7 × 50 × 54.6) m na
31.6 − 8.97
= 3467 kips. in. = 288.9 kips. ft. > Me = 251.67 PQRo. pq

∅" M = 0.90(251.67) = 226.503 kips. ft.

The design strength is:

P = 1.2 × P2 + 1.6 × P4 = 1.2(35) + 1.6(99) = 200.4 k

Factored loads:

Q = 1.2 × Q2 + 1.6 × Q4 = 1.2(5) + 1.6(12) = 25.2 k

25.2(17)
The maximum bending moment occurs at mid-height, so
M = = 107.1 kip. ft
4

P 200.4
Determine which interaction equation controls:
= = 0.4948 > 0.2
∅ P 405

P 8 M & M '
+ % + ( ≤ 1.0
∅P 9 ∅" M & ∅" M '

200.4 8 107.1
+ s + 0t ≤ 1.0 → 0.915 < 1.0 ok
405 9 226.5

MOMENT AMPLIFICATION
The foregoing approach to the analysis of members subjected to both bending and axial
load is satisfactory so long as the axial load is not too large. The presence of the axial
load produces secondary moments, and unless the axial load is relatively small, these
additional moments must be accounted for.

Moment Curvature

Beam Column (Page 5)

dM y M
= −
dx M EI
w = x(yH + y)
dM y P πx
= − zesin N O + y{
dx M EI L
The 2nd order nonhomogeneous DE:

dM y P Pe πx
+ y = − sin N O
dx M EI EI L

Boundary Conditions:

@x = 0 → y = 0

@x = L → y = 0

Solution:
•€
y = }oQ~ N O
•
•€
‚ƒ„oqQqƒq… y = }oQ~ N O Q~ †‡
•
πM πx P πx Pe πx
− Bsin N O + Bsin N O = − sin N O
LM L EI L EI L

Solve for B

Pe
− −e e
B= EI = =
P π M π EI PK
M
−
EI LM
1− M
PL P −1

Deflected shape:

πx e πx
y = Bsin N O = ‰ Š sin N O
L PK L
P −1

1 πx 1
‰ Š zesin N O{ = ‰ Š yH
PK L PK
P −1 P −1
M = P(yH + y)

Beam Column (Page 6)

 πx e πx
M = ‹esin N O + ‰ Š sin N OŒ
L PK L
−1
P

The maximum moment occurs at x = L/2 :

e
MŽ•& = P •e + ‘
Pe − 1
P
Pe − 1 + 1
MŽ•& = Pe • P ‘
Pe − 1
P

⎡ 1 ⎤
MŽ•& = MH ⎢ ⎥
⎢1 − P ⎥
⎣ Pe ⎦

where MH is the unamplified maximum moment. In this case, it results from initial
crookedness, but in general, it can be the result of transverse loads or end moments. The
moment amplification factor is therefore

1−
P
Pe

Because the member deflection corresponds to a buckled shape, the axial load
corresponds to a failure load—that is, a load corresponding to an LRFD formulation.
Therefore, the amplification factor should be written as

1
(Eq. 3)
P
1−
PK

where P is the factored axial load

Example: Use equation 3 to compute the LRFD amplification factor for the beam–column
of previous Example.

Beam Column (Page 7)

 πM EI πM EI& πM (29000)(272)
PK = = = = 1871 kips
(KL)M (K & L)M (1.0 × 17 × 12)M

Pu = 200.4 kips

1 1
= = 1.12
P 200.4
1− 1−
PK 1871

Which represents a 12% increase in bending moment. The amplified primary moment is

1.12 × M = 1.12(107.1) = 120 kips. ft

Amplification Factor in Braced and Unbraced Frames

The amplification factor given by equation 3 was derived for a member braced against
sidesway—that is, one whose ends cannot translate with respect to each other assuming
that the maximum moment occurs at the center of the beam column. The maximum

member. This distribution is accounted for by a factor, CŽ , applied to the amplification

moment in a beam–column depends on the distribution of bending moment within the

the worst case, so CŽ will never be greater than 1.0.

factor given by equation 3. The amplification factor given by equation 3 was derived for

Two amplification factors are used: one to account for amplification resulting from the
member deflection and one to account for the effect of sway when the member is part of
an unbraced frame.

Beam Column (Page 8)

 (a) (b)

The member is restrained against sidesway, The member is unbraced against sidesway,
and the maximum secondary moment is Pδ and the maximum secondary moment is P∆

M Bš M › BM Mœ›

M › maximum moment assuming that no sidesway occurs, whether the frame is actually
braced or not.

Mœ› = maximum moment caused by sidesway

CŽ
Bš , 1.0
P
1BP
Kš

P P › Pœ›

πM EI
PKš
Kš L M

Kš 1.0

1
BM , 1.0
∑P ›
1B
∑ PKM

∑P › sum of required load capacities for all columns in the story under consideration

∑ PKM sum of the Euler loads for all columns in the story under consideration

πM EI
ž PKM ž
KML M
Beam Column (Page 9)
ŸM effective length factor corresponding to the unbraced condition

Evaluation of Cm

The factor Cm applies only to the braced condition. There are two categories of
members: those with transverse loads applied between the ends and those with no
transverse loads.

member AB is the beam–column without member AB is the beam–column with

transverse loads transverse loads

Mš
1. If there are no transverse loads acting on the member,
CŽ 0.6 B 0.4 m n
MM
Mš /MM is a ratio of the bending moments at the ends of the member. Mš is the end
moment that is smaller in absolute value, MM is the larger, and the ratio is positive for
members bent in reverse curvature and negative for single-curvature bending

2. For transversely loaded members, ¡ can be taken as 1.0.

Example: The member shown in Figure is part of a braced frame. Service loads are shown,
and bending is about the strong axis. If A572 Grade 50 steel is used, is this member
adequate? KxL = KyL = 14 feet. Assume the load combination is 01.2 1 P2 1.6 1 P4 5.

Beam Column (Page 10)

To find the axial compressive strength of a W12 x 65

Column Calculations:
Check local buckling:
b6 E
0.56 8
2t 6 F'

?
29000
9.9 ⏞ 0.56 8
50

9.9 13.49 No flange local buckling

h E
1.49 8
tA F'

Beam Column (Page 11)

d − 2k E
≤ 1.49 8
tA F'

12.12 − 2(1.3125) 29000

≤ 1.49 8
0.39 50
24.35 < 35.9 No web local buckling
KL KL 1.0(14 × 12)
Maximum = = = 55.629 < 200 (OK)
r r' 3.02
PH = F' AI = 50 × 19.1 = 955 kip
πM E 29000
PK = ( )
M AI = 3.1415 × 55.629M 19.1 = 1766.552 PQR
M
KL
N O
r
PK 1766.552
= = 1.85 > 0.44 then:
PH 955
V _``
P = U0.658 VX Y P = Z0.658 š[\\.``M a (955) = 761.616 kip
N WO N O
H

Pb = ∅ P = 0.9 × 761.616 = 685.45 kip

Beam Calculations:

Check section compact:

b6 ?
E 29000
⏞ 0.388 = 0.388
= 9.9 ≤ = 9.15 ∴ Non compact flange
2t 6 F' 50

h ? E
⏞ 3.768
≤
tA F'

12.12 − 2(1.3125) ? 29000

≤⏞ 3.768
0.39 50
24.35 < 90.55 ∴ Compact web
The section is non compact

Beam Column (Page 12)

 12.5MŽ•& 12.5 82.4
C" 1.06
2.5MŽ•& 3M¢ 4M£ 3M¤ 2.5 82.4 3 73.7 4 76.6 3 79.5
Mš 70.8
CŽ 0.6 B 0.4 m n 0.6 B 0.4 mB n 0.9437
MM 82.4
πM EI& πM 29000 533
PKš 5405 kips
K&L M 1.0 1 14 1 12 M
CŽ 0.9437
Bš 1.023
P 420
1B 1B
PKš 5405

b6
Check the capacity based on the flange local buckling:
λ 9.9
2t 6
E 29000
λe 0.388 0.388 9.15
F' 50

E 29000
λb 1.08 1.08 24.1
F' 50

Me F' Z& 50 96.8 4840 in. kips 403.33 ft kips

λ B λe
M Me B iMe B 0.7F' S& j k l
λb B λe
9.9 B 9.15
M 4840 B 4840 B 0.7 1 50 1 87.9 m n 4751.6 PQRo. Q~. 396 PQRo. pq.
24.1 B 9.15
Check the capacity based on the limit state of lateral-torsional buckling:
L" 14 ft and C" 1.06. First, determine Le and Lb :
Le 11.9 ft.
Lb 35.1 ft.
Since Le / L" / Lb ,
L" B Le
M C" UMe B iMe B 0.7F' S& j k lY Me
Lb B Le
14 B 11.9
M 1.06 Z4840 B 4840 B 0.7 1 50 1 87.9 m na
35.1 B 11.9
4961 kips. in. 413.4 kips. ft. S Me 403.33 PQRo. pq
Beam Column (Page 13)
The design strength is:
∅" M 0.90 396 356 kips. ft.
M › 82.4 kip. ft. Mœ› zero
M Bš M › BM Mœ› 1.023 82.4 0 84.3 kip. ft.

P 420
Determine which interaction equation controls:
0.61 S 0.2
∅ P 685.45

P 8 M & M '
% ( 1.0
∅P 9 ∅" M & ∅" M '

8 84.3
0.61 s 0t 1.0 → 0.824 / 1.0 ok
9 365

Example: The horizontal beam–column shown in Figure is subjected to the service live
loads shown. This member is laterally braced at its ends, and bending is about the x-axis.
Check for compliance with the specifications.

The factored axial load is

P 1.6 28 44.8 kips
The factored transverse loads and bending moment are
Q 1.6 28 44.8 kips
Beam Column (Page 14)
w = 1.2(0.035) = 0.042 kips/ft
44.8(10) 0.042(10)M
M = + = 112.5 kip. ft.
4 8
Column Calculations:
Check local buckling:
b6 E
≤ 0.56 8
2t 6 F'

?
29000
⏞ 0.56 8
8.1 ≤
50

8.1 ≤ 13.49 No flange local buckling

h E
≤ 1.49 8
tA F'

d − 2k E
≤ 1.49 8
tA F'

8.12 − 2(1.0) 29000

≤ 1.49 8
0.31 50
19.74 < 35.9 No web local buckling
KL KL 1.0(10 × 12)
Maximum = = = 59.11 < 200 (OK)
r r' 2.03
PH = F' AI = 50 × 10.3 = 515 kip
πM E 29000
PK = M AI = 3.1415 ×
M (10.3) = 843.65 PQR
KL 59.11M
NrO
PK 843.65
= = 1.64 > 0.44 then:
PH 515
V `š`
P = U0.658 VX Y P = Z0.658 ^§].\` a (515) = 398.88 kip
N WO N O
H

Pb = ∅ P = 0.9 × 398.88 = 359 kip

Beam Calculations:

Beam Column (Page 15)

This member is braced against sidesway, so Mœ› = 0.

CŽ = 1.0
For member braced against sidesway and transversely loaded:

C" for the beam in this example=1.32

Check section compact:

b6 ?
E 29000
⏞
= 8.1 ≤ 0.388 = 0.388 = 9.15 ∴ Compact flange
2t 6 F' 50

h ? E
⏞ 3.768
≤
tA F'

12.12 − 2(1) ? 29000

≤⏞ 3.768
0.31 50
19.74 < 90.55 ∴ Compact web
The section is compact

πM EI& πM (29000)(127)
PKš = = = 2524 kips
(K & L)M (1.0 × 10 × 12)M
CŽ 1
Bš = = = 1.015
P 44.8
1−P 1−( )
Kš 2524
Me = F' Z& = 50(34.7) = 1735 in. kips = 144.6 ft kips

L" = 10 ft and C" = 1.32. First, determine Le and Lb :

Check the capacity based on the limit state of lateral-torsional buckling:

Le = 7.17 ft.
Lb = 27 ft.
Since Le < L" < Lb ,
Beam Column (Page 16)
 L" − Le
M = C" UMe − iMe − 0.7F' S& j k lY ≤ Me
Lb − Le
10 − 7.17
M = 1.32 Z1735 − (1735 − 0.7 × 50 × 31.2) m na
27 − 7.17
= 2169 kips. in. = 180.76 kips. ft. > Me = 144.6 PQRo. pq

∅" M = 0.90(144.6) = 130 kips. ft.

The design strength is:

M › = 112.5 kip. ft. Mœ› = zero

M = Bš M › + BM Mœ› = 1.015(112.5) + 0 = 114.2 kip. ft.

P 44.8
Determine which interaction equation controls:
= = 0.125 < 0.2
∅ P 359

P M & M '
+% + ( ≤ 1.0
2∅ P ∅" M & ∅" M '

0.125 114.2
+s + 0t ≤ 1.0 → 0.941 < 1.0 ok
2 130

Beam Column (Page 17)