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Working With Single-Angle Members
By Amanuel Gebremeskel, P.E.
The inherent eccentricities of this popular shape require
the engineer’s attention and understanding.
Angles have been used in construction almost as
long as structural steel has been around, and were com-
monly used as components of built-up shapes. For example,
Bethlehem Steel made I-shaped members and channels
using angles attached to plates. Other producers used them
to build similar cross sections and other more exotic shapes.
More recently, angles have been used as braces, tension
members, struts and lintels. Angles also have been used in
double-angle and single-angle connections.
In spite of their long history of usage, the design of mem-
bers composed of angles—and single angles in particular—
has not become as familiar to the engineering profession as
the design of other, more common shapes. This article high-
lights the information available today to help in this regard.
The AISC Specification
AISC first published a single-angle specification in the
1980s. Since then more research and testing has helped
to develop the knowledge base upon which single-angle
design is covered in the 2005 AISC Specification (and the
soon-to-be-released 2010 AISC Specification).
The current approach to single-angle design offers two
alternatives:
1. A comprehensive design approach that can be used to
design any single angle for axial and/or flexural loads.
This approach is more general and involves more effort
in calculations that typically are based upon the princi-
pal axes.
2. A simplified design approach that can be used with
greater expediency for specific common cases. Although
limited in scope, it allows an easier design process.
Amanuel Gebremeskel, P.E., is a
senior engineer in the AISC Steel
Solutions Center and secretary of the
AISC Committee on Specifications’
Task Committee 5, Composite Design.
MODERN STEEL CONSTRUCTION october 2010
For axial compression in angles without slender elements,
comprehensive analysis and design of single angles can be car-
ried out using the provisions of Section E3, whereas a simpli-
fied design approach is provided for special cases in Section E5.
Table 4-11 in the 13th Edition AISC Steel Construction Manual
applies to the design of single angles for concentric axial loads.
For flexure without slender elements, the comprehensive
approach is provided in Section F10.2, with subsections (iii)
and (iv), while the simplified approach is provided in Section
F10.2, with subsections (i) and (ii). Local buckling and slen-
derness are addressed in Sections E7 and F10.3 for compres-
sion and flexure, respectively.
Single angles also may be loaded in combined axial force
and flexural. These are designed according to Section H2, and
the design of single angles with typical end connection con-
figurations that result in eccentric axial loads is addressed in
Table 4-12 in the 13th Edition AISC Manual. These can be
used as design aids for single angles with combined loading
due to end attachments to one leg alone as described in the
explanation of the table on page 4-7 of the Manual.
Principal Axes
The principal axes of any shape define two orthogonal axes
that correspond to the maximum and minimum moments of
inertia for that section. The axis around which one finds the
minimum moment of inertia is called the minor principal axis
while the axis about which one finds the maximum moment
of inertia is called the major principal axis. From a structural
analysis point of view, bending the section about the minor
principal axis corresponds with the minimum internal energy
of the member. This means the structure is completely stable
when bent about this axis and cannot experience lateral-tor-
sional buckling.
Unlike singly and doubly symmetric wide-flanges and
channels, single angles have principal axes that do not coincide
with their geometric axes (see Figure 1). Therefore, the design
of single angles requires some consideration of both of these
sets of axes. While loading typically occurs about the geomet-
ric axes, the strength usually is controlled by response that is
influenced by properties that relate to the principal axes.
Part 1 of the AISC Manual contains properties of single
angles about both geometric axes (X and Y) and the minor prin-
cipal axis (Z). Part 17 of the AISC Manual contains equations
that allow for the calculation of section properties about one
axis when the properties are known about the other.
 A(6R − a ) A(12R + 2a )
2 22− a2 ) =A(12R 21
R
R1 I1 = A I 2(6=RA(6R
I = A(6R 24
− a2 −
) a2A R 12 +1248
) (=12A(12R a+2a )
+ )a2 )
2 R1 R I1 =II11I2=== I22 = � 24 = = � 48
1
2 R1 � 6R24 24
2 − a2 � 48 48
2 R1 � � 12R 2 + a2
r 1 = r 2 = 6R 22 − a22 = 12R 122 1+ a22

1
2

 √
√ 
r1 = r2 = 6R −2a = 12R 1248
24 +a 2

11
2
r = r = 6 R − 24 a 1 + a
= 12 R48
r1 = r12 = 2 24 = 48

1
24 48

ANGLE
ANGLE
ANGLE
ANGLE Other 2=K 2K
tan =2θImportant
2K
Section Properties
Axis of moments
Axis of momentsthroughthrough tan 2θ
tan 2θ = − II2K y − Ix
Axis ofcenter
moments through
ofofgravity
gravity tan 2θ I=
Axis ofcenter
moments
center of gravity
through If the evaluation
y I yx− I x
I y − Ix b of the moment
2
2 + ct y = d
2 + at
2
of iner-
centerb of gravity A = t(b + c)x =b + ct
b 22 + ct d 22d++atat
b tia ofA =single
A t=(bt(b
A = t(b ++ +cangles
x ==
)c)x
c)x = 2(b about
b2(b ++ctc)yy=
y the
== d2(bprincipal
++atc) axes
t b a K = Product of22(b (b + + c)
Inertia
+ c) )
cabout 2(b
2(+
XX
2(b b c)
+ cYY
and
+ c) )
t
t
a
a is important,
K = Product
K = Product
K = Product the
abcdt
of evaluation
of Inertia
Inertia
about XX of
of Inertia about X X and Y Y
about XX
andthe
and
YY section
YY
Z b = ± abcdt
Z t moduli ==about abcdt
± 4(b the
abcdt + c) same axes is even more
Z Y a = ± ±14(b + c)
4(b + c) 3
Y
Y useful.I Additionally,
I x 4(
= b
1 (t(d + c)− y)
= (t(d − y)33 + by 33 − a(y − t)33 )
1 3
+itbyis important to recog-
3 − a(y − t)3 )
Z I xx 1= 3 (t(d − y) + by3 − a(y − t) )3
Y 90˚ W
W nizeIxthat =I y = the 1
(t1(d(t(b
3 single 3 3 angle
− y−) x)+ by + dx −3 −a ccan
(y(x −−thave
) 3)) as many
t)
W c d I y 3= 13(t(b − x)33 + dx 33 − c (x − t)33 )
90˚
90˚ θ
c
c d
d
as three I y =section (t(b −
1 33I x sin2 θ3+ I y cos
x)moduli + dx − about
c (x − t) one
) axis. For
3 2 θ + K sin 2θ
X θ
θ WX IY =I zI z==
unequal-leg −22 x
(tI x(bsinangles θ )+ I+y cos dxtwo 2−
2 θ+ K − 2θ
ccorrespond
(xsin t) 3 ) to the
X
X y 90° X
X c I z 3= I x sin θ2 + I y cos 2θ + K sin 2θ
d I w = I x2 cos θ + I y sin 22 θ − K sin 2θ
AISC-Sample (LRFD) y May W 1, 2009 20:34
θ
Char Count= 0 toesIzof I=w Ithe =
x I xlegs
sin cosθ 2+θwhile
2 I+ Y Icos
y sinone
2 θ
θ− + relates
K
K sin2
sin 2θ θto the heel.
Xy W W X I = I x cos θ + I y sin θ − K sin 2θ
K iswnegative 2 when heel of2angle, ith respect to
y x t
When Kcenter
K is negative
evaluating
Ixofcos
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gravity,
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whenisheel
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sin
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ith respect
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whenofingravity,
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F10.] xY
SINGLE ANGLES t this can
when in16.1-281
2nd make or 4th the calculation quite lengthy.
quadrant.
Fig. 1: Geometric Y(X andZ Y) axes and principal Several articles published in AISC’s
(W and Z) axes of single angle.
The horizontal component of deflection being approximately 60 Engineering percent of the Journal provide further insight
vertical deflection means that the lateral restraining force required intoto achieve working with single-angle mem-
purely verticalThe
deflection must
importance
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be 60
AND
percent
of
CHANNELS
of the
evaluating applied load
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value (or “Evaluating
produce Single-Angle Compres-
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inand Figure
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2. Leigh and Lay,by Leroy A. Lutz (4th Quarter
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F F
the geometric
Y
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Ybraced F against Single-Angle
I =
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I x2 sin cos
I y cos 2 2 Columns,” by Chris-
θθ
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x Y deformation
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sin
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θ2++θ I +
Y
I ysin
Icos
y and
sin θθ θ D. Christian Keelor
x θ (1 + 3 cos �)(K x l) θ I 4 = I x cos � 22 θ + I y sin 2 θ 2 �
As
��the beam θis loaded, θ X it tends to naturally θ
θ X� (1st I 4
f b = yM� y sin θx+x and
Quarter
=  I x cos
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+ I y sin x θ � “Design of Single
cos � θ
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sin + + xcos
I cos θ 
deflect
3 2 in the 0.156(1direction
+ 3 cos2of 3�)(Kthel)2load.
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X Angles
b
fbb = M Bent
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x θ
sin θ + ythe
IY IImoment
y
cos Major
θ
θ Principal Axis,”
3 sin � +
X3 + sin �3X3 (C-F10-1)
where I x bending y due to force F.
ever
3 it also tends to
3
b4 33 in the direction
3 deflect 3 where
by where
where MM
Christopher M isisisbending
bendingJ.
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due due
All to force
are
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to force F.
available
F.
F. at
3 3 3 3
X X
of least
X resistance, which Xcorresponds with www.aisc.org/epubs as free downloads to
X y X y
theexpression
(the general minor
X y
y principal
for the Y axis. moment
critical X y
y
of an Yequal-leg AISCangle)members with and may be purchased by
� = 45◦ or theThis y
condition whereY the angle tip y stress is compressive
Y (see Figure
results
4 Y in a total deflection
Y 4 Y that
Y
others.
C-F10.3). occurs
Lateral-torsional 4 buckling can 4 the flexural
in 4the
4 direction of alsoboth limit
4geometric
4
strength of the
cross section when the maximum angle tip stress is tensile from geometric axis
axes. For such cases it is difficult to evaluate Another Reference
flexure, especially with use of the flexural strength limits in Section F10.2. Using
◦ first yield or the propensity of the member In addition to the information available in
� = 45 in Equation C-F10-1, the resulting expression is Equation F10-4b with
to oflaterally
a +1 instead −1 as thebuckle last term.without
AMERICAN resolving
INSTITUTE theOF STEELAISC
the CONSTRUCTION Specification and Manual, Whitney
A
AMERICAN IINSTITUTE OF STEEL CONSTRUCTION
OF STEEL CONSTRUCTION
load and response into components
MERICAN NSTITUTE that McNulty, P.E., recently self-published a guide
Stress at the tip of the angle leg parallel to the applied bending to
are parallel to the principal axes. Some- axis is of the design called the Single-Angle
single-angle
same sign as the maximum stress at the tip of the other leg when the single angle
thing similar can be said of an axially loaded Design Manual. It is devoted to the specifics
is unrestrained. For an equal-leg angle this stress is about one-third of the max-
single
imum stress. It is onlyangle. Its tendency
necessary to check to the failnominalin Euler of the design of angles and has chapters that
bending strength based
on the tip of the angle leg with the maximum stress when evaluatinginto
flexural buckling will be about the axis of get suchthe an details of equal-leg and unequal-
least
angle. Since thisresistance
maximum moment which corresponds
per Section F10.2(ii) with the leg combined
represents single angles in tension, shear, compres-
minor
principal axis moments principal axis. F10-5 represents the design sion,
and Equation limit for andthese flexure (including interaction). The
interested reader can find this reference at
www.lulu.com/singleangle.

Conclusion
The design of single angles is more com-
plicated than that of other more common
shapes. Nonetheless, the versatility of single
angles in construction has made them pop-
ular. Provisions and recommendations exist
in the AISC Specification, AISC Manual, and
other references to assist the engineer who
wants to design single angles. 

Fig. C-F10.2. Geometric axis bending of laterally unrestrained equal-leg angles.

Fig. 2: Deflection of single angle due to load
about geometric
Specification axis.Steel Buildings, March 9, 2005
for Structural
AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF STEEL CONSTRUCTION

 october 2010 MODERN STEEL CONSTRUCTION