BEAM-COLUMN

INTRODUCTION
While many structural members can be treated as axially loaded columns or as
beams with only flexural loading, most beams and columns are subjected to some
degree of both bending and axial load. This is especially true of statically
indeterminate structures. Even the roller support of a simple beam can experience
friction that restrains the beam longitudinally, inducing axial tension when transverse
loads are applied. In this particular case, however, the secondary effects are usually
small and can be neglected. Many columns can be treated as pure compression
members with negligible error. If the column is a one-story member and can be
treated as pinned at both ends, the only bending will result from minor accidental
eccentricity of the load.
INTRODUCTION
For many structural members, however, there will be a significant amount of both
effects, and such members are called beam–columns. Consider the rigid frame in
Figure 6.1. For the given loading condition, the horizontal member AB must not only
support the vertical uniform load but must also assist the vertical members in resisting
the concentrated lateral load P1. Member CD is a more critical case, because it must
resist the load P1 + P2 without any assistance from the vertical members. The reason
is that the x-bracing, indicated by dashed lines, prevents sidesway in the lower story.
For the direction of P2 shown, member ED will be in tension and member CF will be
slack, provided that the bracing elements have been designed to resist only tension.
For this condition to occur, however, member CD must transmit the load P1 + P2 from
C to D.
INTRODUCTION
The vertical members of this frame must also be treated as beam–columns. In the
upper story, members AC and BD will bend under the influence of P1. In addition, at
A and B, bending moments are transmitted from the horizontal member through the
rigid joints. This transmission of moments also takes place at C and D and is true in
any rigid frame, although these moments are usually smaller than those resulting from
lateral loads. Most columns in rigid frames are actually beam–columns, and the
effects of bending should not be ignored. However, many isolated one-story columns
can be realistically treated as axially loaded compression members.
Another example of beam–columns can sometimes be found in roof trusses. Although
the top chord is normally treated as an axially loaded compression member, if
purlins are placed between the joints, their reactions will cause bending, which must
be accounted for.
INTRODUCTION
INTERACTION FORMULA
EXAMPLE 1
The beam–column shown is pinned at both ends and is subjected to the loads shown.
Bending is about the strong axis. Determine whether this member satisfies the
appropriate AISC Specification interaction equation.
SOLUTION
SOLUTION
SOLUTION
SOLUTION
EXAMPLE 2
A 50 ksi W12x40 tension member with no holes is subjected to the axial loads 𝑃𝐷 =
25 kips and 𝑃𝐿 = 30 kips, as well as the bending moments 𝑀𝐷𝑦 = 10 𝑓𝑡 − 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠 and
𝑀𝐿𝑦 = 25 𝑓𝑡 − 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠. Is the member satisfactory if 𝐿𝑏 < 𝐿𝑝 .
SOLUTION
SOLUTION
METHODS OF ANALYSIS FOR REQUIRED STRENGTH
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. At an arbitrary point O, there
is a bending moment caused by the uniform load and an additional moment Py,
caused by the axial load acting at an eccentricity from the longitudinal axis of the
member. This secondary moment is largest where the deflection is largest—in this
case, at the centerline, where the total moment is wL2 /8 + P∂. Of course, the
additional moment causes an additional deflection over and above that resulting
from the transverse load. Because the total deflection cannot be found directly, this
problem is nonlinear, and without knowing the deflection, we cannot compute the
moment.
METHODS OF ANALYSIS FOR REQUIRED STRENGTH
METHODS OF ANALYSIS FOR REQUIRED STRENGTH
In addition to the secondary moments caused by member deformation (P-∂ moments,
shown in Figure 6.4a), additional secondary moments are present when one end of
the member translates with respect to the other. These moments are called P-∆
moments and are illustrated in Figure 6.4b. In a braced frame, the member ends do
not undergo translation, so only the P-∂ moments are present. In an unbraced frame,
the additional moment, P-∆, increases the end moment. The distribution of moments in
the member is therefore a combination of the primary moment, the P- ∂ moment, and
the P- ∆ moment.
METHODS OF ANALYSIS FOR REQUIRED STRENGTH
METHODS OF ANALYSIS FOR REQUIRED STRENGTH
Ordinary structural analysis methods that do not take the displaced geometry into
account are called first-order methods. Iterative analyses that account for these
effects are referred to as second-order methods. AISC Specification Chapter C,
“Design for Stability,” provides three approaches for determining the required
flexural and axial compressive strength: the direct analysis method, the effective
length method, and the first-order analysis method.
1. The direct analysis method is a second-order analysis that considers both P-∂ and
P-∆ effects. As an alternative, an approximate second-order analysis. This approach
uses amplified first-order moments and axial loads. Both the second-order analysis
and the approximate second-order analysis are considered direct analysis methods.
In the direct analysis method, member stiffness are reduced, and an effective length
factor of K = l is used both in the analysis and in computing the available strength
from AISC Chapter 4.
METHODS OF ANALYSIS FOR REQUIRED STRENGTH
2. The effective length method of analysis is covered. It also requires a second-order
or approximate second-order analysis. As the name implies, an effective length
factor, K, must be determined. Member stiffness are not reduced.
3. The first-order analysis method is a simplified version of the direct analysis method
that can be used when certain conditions are satisfied. For the available strength, an
effective length factor of K = 1 is used. Member stiffness are not reduced.
All columns in real structures are subject to initial displacements that result from
member out-of-plumbness. In each of the three analysis methods, member out-of
plumbness is accounted for by including fictitious lateral loads, called notional loads,
in the load combinations.
METHODS OF ANALYSIS FOR REQUIRED STRENGTH
The direct analysis method is the preferred method. If the appropriate software is
available, a second-order analysis is the method of choice. If a second-order analysis
is not available, the moment amplification method, which is an acceptable direct
analysis approach, can be used.
MOMENT AMPLIFICATION METHOD
The moment amplification method entails computing the maximum bending moment
resulting from flexural loading (transverse loads or member end moments) by a first
order analysis, then multiplying by a moment amplification factor to account for the
secondary moment. An expression for this factor will now be developed.
MOMENT AMPLIFICATION METHOD
Maximum Moment occurs at x = L/2
MOMENT AMPLIFICATION METHOD
where M0 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

For LRFD:
EXAMPLE
Compute the LRFD amplification factor for the beam–column.
SOLUTION
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