Chapter Six: Combined Bending and Axial Load Members 1

Chapter Six: Combined Bending and Axial Load Members

6.1 Introduction

Nearly all members in a structure are subjected to both bending moment and axial force-either
tension or compression. When the magnitude of one or the other is relatively small, its effect is
usually neglected and the member is designed either as a beam, or as an axially loaded column.
For many situations neither effect can properly be neglected and the behaviour under combined
loading must be considered in design. A special class of such members that are subjected to
both axial compression force and bending moment are called beam-columns. They represent the
general load case of an element in a structural frame.

There are a number of factors that affect the performance of a member under combined axial
force and bending moment. A number of categories of combined bending and axial load along with
the likely mode of failure may be summarized as follows:

a. Axial tension and bending: failure usually by yielding.

b. Axial compression and bending about one axis: failure by instability in the plane of
bending, without twisting.
c. Axial compression and bending about the strong axis: failure by lateral-torsion buckling.
d. Axial compression and biaxial bending-torsionally stiff sections: failure by instability in
one of the principal directions. (W shapes are usually in this category.)
e. Axial compression and biaxial bending thin-walled open sections: failure by combined
twisting and bending on these torsionally weak sections.
f. Axial compression, biaxial bending, and torsion: failure by combined twisting and bending
when plane of bending does not contain the shear center.

It may be apparent from
account for such varied
interaction procedures to
interaction equations the
stability situations.
this summary that no single design procedure is likely to properly
behavior. Current design procedures generally follow empirical
design structural members under combined stresses. Through such
true behavior is accounted for more accurately for most of the

In addition to mode of moment application as noted above, the behavior of a beam-column also
depends on its length on its lateral support conditions. In this later context, and with special
reference to beam-columns, the behavior can be classified into the following five cases:

Case 1: A short column subjected to axial load and uniaxial bending about either axis or
biaxial bending.

Failure generally occurs when the plastic capacity of the section is reached. Note
limitations set in Case (2) below.

Case 2: A slender column subjected to axial load and uniaxial bending about the major
axis y-y.

If the column is supported laterally against buckling about the minor axis z-z out
of the plane of bending, the column fails by buckling about the x-x axis. This is
not a common case (see fig. 6.1a) at low axial loads or if the column is not very
slender a plastic hinge forms at the end or point of maximum moment.

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 Chapter Six: Combined Bending and Axial Load Members 2

Case 3: A slender column subjected to axial load and uniaxial bending about the minor
axis z-z.

The column does not require lateral support and there is no buckling out of the
plane of bending. The column fails by buckling about the z-z axis. At very low
axial loads it will reach the bending capacity for z-z axis .

Case 4: A slender column subjected to axial load and uniaxial bending about the major
axis y-y.

This time the column has no lateral support. The column fails due to a
combination of column buckling about the z-z axis and lateral torsional buckling
where the column section twists about x-axis as well as deflecting in the yx and
yz planes (see fig. 6.1b).

Case 5: A lender column subjected to axial load and biaxial bending.

The column has no lateral support. The failure is the same as in Case 4 above but
minor axis buckling will have the greatest effect. This is the general loading case
(see fig. 6.1c).

Column deflects in zx plane, then Column deflects in zx and yx planes

Column deflects in zx plane only buckles by deflecting and twists about x-axis
in yx plane and twisting about x-axis
Fig. 6.1a In-plane behavior Fig. 6.1c Bi-axial bending
Fig. 6.1b Flexural-torsional behavior

6.2 Overall Stability

In a beam column the treatment of cross-sectional behavior take account of the way in which
the moment M at the particular cross-section under consideration was generated. Figure 6.2
shows a beam-column undergoing lateral deflection as a result of the combination of compression
and equal and opposite moments applied at the ends.

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 Chapter Six: Combined Bending and Axial Load Members 3

(a) Equal and opposite moment case (b) Non-uniform moment case

Fig. 6.2 Primary and secondary moments

The moment at any point within the length may conveniently be regarded as being composed of
two parts:

 primary moment M
 secondary moment Nv

Effect of Pattern of Primary Moment

Figure 6.2a showed how, for the particular case of equal and opposite end moments, the primary
moments are amplified due to the effect of the axial load N acting through the lateral
displacements v. When the pattern of primary moment is different the two effects will not be
so directly additive since maximum primary and secondary moments will not necessarily occur at
the same location. Figure 6.2b illustrates the situation for end moments M and M, where  can
adopt values between +1 (uniform single curvature) and -1 (double curvature). The particular case
shown corresponds to a  value  -0,5.

For the case illustrated the maximum moment still occurs within the member length but the
situation is clearly less severe than that of Figure 6.2a assuming all conditions to be identical
apart from the value of . It is customary to recognize this in design by reducing the
contribution of the moment term to the interaction relationship.

Since the case of uniform single curvature moment is the most severe, it follows that a safe
simplification is always to use the procedure for = 1.0.

Returning to Figure 6.2b, it is possible for the point of maximum moment to be at the end at
which the larger primary moment is applied. This would usually occur if the axial load was small
and/or slenderness was low so that secondary bending effects were relatively slight. In such
cases design will be controlled by the need to ensure adequate cross-sectional resistance at this
end.

6.3 Limit State Design, EBCS 3 1995

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 Chapter Six: Combined Bending and Axial Load Members 4

Resistance of Cross Section

According to the EBCS 3 Specification, members designed to resist factored bending moments
My.sd and Mz.sd, calculated using appropriate load combinations, must satisfy the following
condition:

a. When Vsd  0.50Vbs, rd

N Sd M y .Sd  N Sd e Ny M z .Sd  N Sd e Nz (6.1)

   1 .0
N Rd M c. y . Rd M c. z . Rd
Where:
NSd, My.Sd, Mz.Sd are the design forces acting at the cross-section
NRd is the resistance to axial force as discussed earlier
Mc.y.Rd,Mc.z.Rd are the resistances to uniaxial moment respectively
eNy, eNz are the shifts in the neutral axis when the cross-section is subjected to uniform
compression. Note that for class 1, 2 and 3 cross-sections and for doubly symmetric Class 4
cross-section, both eNy and eNz are both zero. For single-symmetric Class 4 sections, either eNy
or eNz is zero.

Note that for angles, the y and z axes in the above should be taken as the u and v axes
respectively.

When Nsd is tensile, both eNy and eNz are to be taken as zero and Nsd is to be taken as positive.

b. When Vsd  0.50Vbs, rd

The design resistance of the cross-section to the combination of moment and axial force should
be calculated using a reduced yield strength (1-) fy for the shear area where  = (2VSd/VRd – 1)2

Buckling Resistance

a. Axial tension and bending

Members subject to combined axial tension and bending should be checked to the requirements
of flexural members presented in Chapter Four, but advantage may be taken of the stabilizing
effect of the tension when considering lateral-torsional buckling as follows:

When the axial tension and bending moment can vary independently, the design value of the axial
tension should be multiplied by a reduction factor, for vectorial effects, of 0.8.

The check should be carried out using an effective design internal moment M Sd obtained from:

MSd = Wc c (6.2)
Where
c = the net stress in the extreme fiber due to the vectorial effects of factored loads.
Wc = the elastic section modulus for the extreme fiber.

b. Axial Compression and Bending

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 Chapter Six: Combined Bending and Axial Load Members 5

In addition to satisfying the requirements of cross-sectional resistance presented above, at

every point along the length of the member and the general requirements for flexural as
presented in Chapter Four, interaction effects should be considered between compressive loads
and bending moments. The following interaction criteria are suitable:

1. Axial compression and uni-axial major axis moment:

i. To avoid buckling about the major axis:

Nsd k y M y Sd  N Sd eN y
 1 (6.3a)
Nb. y.Rd  wyWpl. y f y  Ml

 y N sd
In which ky  1  but k y  1.5
X y Af y

Wpl. y  Wel . y 
 y  y  (2 my  4)    but y  0.9
 W el . y 
Conservatively:
Nsd 1.5M y Sd  N Sd eN y
 1 (6.3b)
N b. y.Rd  wy W pl. y f y  Ml

ii. To avoid buckling about the minor axis (for members subject to lateral-torsional
buckling):

N Sd k M  N Sd eNy
 lT y.Sd  1.0 (6.3c)
Nb. z.Rd M b.Rd

 LT N sd
In which k LT  1  but kLT  1
X z Af y

LT  0.15z  M .LT  0.15 but LT  0.9

Conservatively:

N Sd M y.Sd  N Sd e Ny
  1.0 (6.3d)
N b. z.Rd M b.Rd

2. Axial compression and uni-axial minor axis moment:

To avoid buckling about the minor axis:

N Sd k M  N Sd eNz
 z z .Sd  1.0 (6.4a)
Nb. z .Rd  w. yWpl. z f y  Ml

Conservatively:

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 Chapter Six: Combined Bending and Axial Load Members 6

N Sd 1.5M z.Sd  N Sd eNz

  1.0 (6.4b)
Nb. z.Rd  w. yWpl. z f y  Ml

3. Axial compression and biaxial moments:

i. All members should satisfy:

N Sd k y M y.Sd  N Sd eNy k z M z .Sd  N Sd eNz

   1.0 (6.5a)
Nb. z.Rd min  w. yWpl. z f y  Ml  w. zWpl. z f y  Ml

 z N sd
In which kz  1  but kz  1.5
X z Af y

Wpl. z  Wel . z 
 z  z  (2 mz  4)    but z  0.9
 W el . z 
Conservatively:

N Sd 1.5M y.Sd  N Sd e Ny 1.5M z .Sd  N Sd e Nz

   1.0 (6.5b)
N b. z.Rd min  w. yW pl. z f y  Ml  w. zW pl. z f y  Ml

ii. Members potentially subject to lateral-torsional buckling should also satisfy:

N Sd k M  N Sd eNy k z M z .Sd  N Sd eNz

 LT y.Sd   1.0 (6.5c)
Nb. z .Rd M b.Rd  w. zWpl. z f y  Ml

Conservatively:

N Sd M  N Sd eNy 1.5M z .Sd  N Sd eNz

 y.Sd   1.0 (6.5d)
Nb. z .Rd M b.Rd  w. zWpl. z f y  Ml

In the above equations:

NSd,eNy and eNz are defined in above under “Resistance of Cross-section”

MySd and MzSd are the maximum design moments, each considered separately, occurring
in the member.
Nb.yRd and Nb.zRd are the flexural buckling resistances for the y and z axes respectively
(see under “Flexural buckling”, Chapter two - Compression Members).
(Nb.Rd)min is the lesser of Nb.yRd and Nb.zRd (all buckling modes considered)
Xy and Xz are reduction factors (see chapter 3 or 4) for the y-y and z-z axes
respectively.
my and mz are equivalent uniform moment factors for flexural buckling (see Figure)
M.LT is an equivalent uniform moment factor for lateral-torsional buckling (see
Figure 6.3)
wy and w.z are the values of w determined for the y and z axes respectively in
which

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 Chapter Six: Combined Bending and Axial Load Members 7

w = 1 for class 1 or 2 cross sections

= Wel/Wpl for class 3 cross-sections
= Wel/Wpl for class 4 cross-sections
Wpl.y and Wpl.z are the plastic moduli for the y and z axes respectively
Mb.Rd is the lateral-torsional buckling moment (see Chapter Four-Flexural
Members)

Note that for angles, the y and z axes in the above should be taken as the u and v axes
respectively.

c. Biaxial Bending

The cross-sectional resistance should be checked as provided earlier as well as the general
requirements for beam members (see Chapter Four-Flexural Members).

The following interaction criteria are suggested for verification of buckling resistance for
biaxial bending in the absence of axial compression:

k y M y.Sd k z M z .Sd
  1.0 (6.6a)
 w. yWpl. y f y  Ml  w. zWpl. z f y  Ml

And, where lateral-torsional buckling is a possible buckling mode:

k LT M y.Sd k z M z.Sd
  1.0 (6.6b)
M b.Rd  w. zWpl. z f y  Ml

Where all quantities are defined under “axial compression and bending” earlier.

Note: the equivalent uniform moment factors  m.y, m.z and m.LT shall be obtained from the
foolwing figure according to the shape of the bending moment diagram between the relevant
braced points as follows:

Factor Moment about axis Points braced in direction

m.y y-y z-z
m.z z-z y-y
m.LT y-y y-y

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 Chapter Six: Combined Bending and Axial Load Members 8

Figure 6. 3 Equivalent uniform moment factors

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 Chapter Six: Combined Bending and Axial Load Members 9

6.4 Limit State Design, AISC-LRFD SPECIFICATION

According to the AISC-LRFD Specification, doubly or singly symmetric structural members

designed to resist a factored axial load N Sd bending moment Mu, calculated using the appropriate
load combinations, must satisfy the condition:

1. For Pu/Pn  0.2:

Pu 8  M ux M uy 
  1.0
  (6.7a)
Pn 9  b M nx b M ny 

2. For Pu/Pn  0.2:

Pu 8  M ux M uy 
     1.0 (6.7b)
2Pn 9  b M nx b M ny 

Where:

a. If P is tensile,
Pu = factored tensile axial force
Pn = design tensile strength (see Chapter Two-Tension Members)
Mu = factored moment
Mn = design flexural strength (see Chapter Four-Flexural Members)
 = t = resistance factor for tension = 0.9
 = resistance factor for flexure = 0.9

b. If P is compressive,
Pu = factored compressive axial force
Pn = design compressive strength (see Chapter Three-Compression Members)
Mu = factored moment to be determined as per subsequent discussion
Mn = design flexural strength (see Chapter Four-Flexural Members)
 = c = resistance factor for compression = 0.85
b = resistance factor for flexure = 0.90

The factored moment Mu should be determined from a second-order elastic analysis. In lieu of
such an analysis, the following equation may be used:

Mu = B1Mnt + B2Mlt (6.8)

Where

Mnt = factored moment in member, assuming the frame does not undergo lateral
translation (provision of artificial restraint at the joints)
Mlt = factored moment in member as a result of lateral translation (equal and opposite
forces at the same joint)

B1 = Cm/(1-Pu/Pc) 1.0
Pe = 2El/(KL)2, with K1.0 in the plane of bending
Cm = a coefficient to be determined from the following discussion

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 Chapter Six: Combined Bending and Axial Load Members 10

B2 = 
1 1   Pu  oh  HL 
or B2  1 1   Pu  P 
e

p u
= sum of all factored loads acting on and above the story under consideration
oh = first-order inter-story translation
 H = sum of all lateral loads acting on and above the story under consideration
L = story height

For end-restrained members that do not undergo relative joint translation and are not subject
to transverse loading between their supports in the plane of bending, C m is given by:

M 
C m  0.6  0.4 1  (6.9a)
 M2 
Where: M1/M2 is the ratio of the smaller to larger member end moments. The ratio is positive if
the member bends in reverse curvature and negative if the member bends in single curvature.
For end restrained members that do not undergo relative joint translation and are subject to
transverse loading between their supports in the plane of bending,

Cm = 0.85 (6.9b)

For unrestrained members that do not undergo relative joint translation and are subject to
transverse loading between their supports in the plane of bending,

Cm = 1.00 (6.9c)

The selection of trial sections for use as beam-columns is facilitated by rewriting the
interaction equations, Eq.(6.7a) and Eq.(6.7b) into the so-called equivalent axial load form.

For Pu/cPn > 0.2:

Pu + mxMux + myUMuy  cPn (6.10a)

For Pu/cPn  0.2:

Pu 9 9
 m x  m yUM uy  c Pn (6.10b)
2 8 8
Where

mx 
8
 c Pn b M nx 
9
m yU   c Pn  b M ny 
8
9
Numerical values for m and U are provided in the AISC Manual of Steel Construction. The
advantage of using Eqs. (6.10) for preliminary design is that the terms on the left-hand side of
the inequality can be regarded as an equivalent axial load, (P u)eff. The similarity in form between
the two equations and Eq.(3.7a), Chapter Three, allows the designer to take advantage of the
column tables provided in the manual for selecting trial sections.

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 Chapter Six: Combined Bending and Axial Load Members 11

Biaxial Bending

Members subjected to bending about both principal axes (e.g., purlins on an inclined roof) should
be designed for biaxial bending. Since both the moment about the major axis, Mux and the
moment about the minor axis, Muy, create flexural stress over the cross section of the member,
to avoid yielding at the most severely stressed point the following equation for the yielding limit
state must be satisfied:

fun bfy (6.11)

where
fun = Mux/Sx + Muy/Sy = the flexural stress under factored loads
Sx, Sy = elastic section moduli about the major and minor axes, respectively
b = 0.90
fy = specified minimum yield stress

In addition, the limit state for lateral torsional buckling about the major axis should also be
checked, i.e.,

bMnx  Mux (6.12)

Where bMnx the design flexural strength about the major axis (see Chapter Four-Flexural
Members). Note that lateral torsional buckling will not occur about the minor axis.

Equation (6.11) can be rearranged to give:

M ux M uy  Sx  M ux M ux  d 
Sx       3.5  (6.13)
b f y b f y S   f b f y  df 
 y  b y

The use of Eq. (6.13) greatly facilitates the selection of trial sections for use in biaxial bending
problems.

Combined Bending, Torsion, and Axial Force

Members subjected to the combined effect of bending, torsion, and axial force should be
designed to satisfy the following limit states:

Yielding Under Normal Stress

fy  fm (6.14)
Where
 = 0.90
fy = specified minimum yield stress
fun = maximum shear stress determined from an eleastic analysis under factored loads

Yielding Under Shear Stress

(0.6fy)  fun (6.15)

Where
 = 0.90
fy = specified minimum yield stress

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 Chapter Six: Combined Bending and Axial Load Members 12

fvu = maximum shear stress determined from an elastic analysis under factored
loads.

Buckling

cfcr  fun or fuv, which ever is applicable. (6.16)

Where
cfcr = cPn/Ag, in which cPn is the design compressive strength of the member
(see Chapter Three-Compression Members)
fun,fvn = normal and shear stresses as defined in Eq. (6.14) and (6.15).

______________________________
ADDITIONAL READING

 E.H. Gayloard and J.E. Stalmeyer

Chapter 6
 Charles G. Salmon and Johne E. Johnson
Chapter 12
 Robert Englekirk
Chapter 3
 EBSC 3 and EC 3

Design of steel and timber structures (CE 519) Yibeltal Temesgen