Design of compression members is an essential topic in structural engineering.

Compression members are structural elements that are subjected to axial loads,
which tend to shorten the member. In steel structures, compression members are
commonly used in the form of columns, braces, and struts. The design of
compression members is crucial as these elements need to support the weight of
the structure and resist various external loads, including wind and seismic
forces. The following are highly detailed notes on the design of compression
members in steel structures.

1. Material Properties
- The design of compression members requires the knowledge of the material
properties of steel. The yield stress, ultimate strength, and modulus of elasticity
of the steel must be determined.
- The yield stress is the stress at which the steel begins to deform plastically.
- The ultimate strength is the maximum stress the steel can withstand before
failure.
- The modulus of elasticity is the ratio of stress to strain in the elastic region of
the material.

2. Buckling
- Buckling is a major concern in the design of compression members. Buckling is
the sudden failure of a compression member due to the critical stress that is
lower than the yield stress of the material.
- Buckling occurs due to the instability of the member caused by the applied axial
load.
- The critical stress for buckling depends on the end conditions of the member,
the cross-sectional shape, and the slenderness ratio.

3. Slenderness Ratio
- Slenderness ratio is a measure of the relative size of the compression member
in relation to its length. The slenderness ratio is defined as the ratio of the
member's effective length to its radius of gyration.

- The effective length is the length of the member between its points of zero
moment, where the member is free to buckle.
- The radius of gyration is a measure of the member's cross-sectional shape and
size.
- The slenderness ratio is an important factor in determining the critical stress for
buckling.
- The effective length is the length of the member between its points of zero
moment, where the member is free to buckle.
- The radius of gyration is a measure of the member's cross-sectional shape and
size.
- The slenderness ratio is an important factor in determining the critical stress for
buckling.

4. Cross-Sectional Shapes
- The cross-sectional shape of the compression member plays a crucial role in its
design. The shape of the member affects its buckling resistance and its ability to
transfer loads.
- The most common cross-sectional shapes used in compression members are
rectangular, square, circular, and H-shaped.
- The H-shaped cross-section is commonly used for columns as it provides better
resistance to bending and buckling compared to other shapes.

5. Effective Length
- The effective length of the compression member is determined by the end
conditions of the member. The end conditions of the member can be fixed,
pinned, or free to rotate.
- The effective length of the member affects its critical stress for buckling. Longer
effective lengths result in lower critical stress values.
- The effective length is also an important factor in determining the slenderness
ratio of the member.

6. Design Criteria
- The design of compression members is governed by various design codes and
standards, such as the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) Manual of
Steel Construction.
- The design criteria for compression members include the allowable stress
design and the load and resistance factor design.
- The allowable stress design method is based on limiting the stress in the
member to a fraction of its yield stress. The allowable stress is determined by
dividing the yield stress by a factor of safety.

- The load and resistance factor design method is based on the concept of
probability and is more reliable than the allowable stress design method. This
method involves multiplying the loads by load factors and reducing the strength
of the member by resistance factors.

7. Connection Design
Connection design is an important aspect of the design of compression
- The load and resistance factor design method is based on the concept of
probability and is more reliable than the allowable stress design method. This
method involves multiplying the loads by load factors and reducing the strength
of the member by resistance factors.

7. Connection Design
- Connection design is an important aspect of the design of compression
members. The connections between the members and other structural elements
must be designed to transfer loads safely and efficiently.
- The connections must be designed to resist various types of loads, including
axial, shear

Design of tension members is another crucial topic in structural engineering.

Tension members are structural elements that are subjected to axial loads, which
tend to elongate the member. In steel structures, tension members are commonly
used in the form of cables, rods, and tie bars. The design of tension members is
crucial as these elements need to support the weight of the structure and resist
various external loads, including wind and seismic forces. The following are
highly detailed notes on the design of tension members in steel structures.

1. Material Properties
- The design of tension members requires the knowledge of the material
properties of steel. The yield stress, ultimate strength, and modulus of elasticity
of the steel must be determined.
- The yield stress is the stress at which the steel begins to deform plastically.
- The ultimate strength is the maximum stress the steel can withstand before
failure.
- The modulus of elasticity is the ratio of stress to strain in the elastic region of
the material.

2. Design Criteria

- The design of tension members is governed by various design codes and

standards, such as the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) Manual of
Steel Construction.
- The design criteria for tension members include the allowable stress design and
the load and resistance factor design.
- The allowable stress design method is based on limiting the stress in the
member to a fraction of its yield stress. The allowable stress is determined by
- The design of tension members is governed by various design codes and
standards, such as the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) Manual of
Steel Construction.
- The design criteria for tension members include the allowable stress design and
the load and resistance factor design.
- The allowable stress design method is based on limiting the stress in the
member to a fraction of its yield stress. The allowable stress is determined by
dividing the yield stress by a factor of safety.
- The load and resistance factor design method is based on the concept of
probability and is more reliable than the allowable stress design method. This
method involves multiplying the loads by load factors and increasing the strength
of the member by resistance factors.

3. Cross-Sectional Shapes
- The cross-sectional shape of the tension member plays a crucial role in its
design. The shape of the member affects its ability to transfer loads and its
resistance to buckling.
- The most common cross-sectional shapes used in tension members are
rectangular, square, circular, and H-shaped.
- The circular cross-section is commonly used for cables as it provides better
resistance to bending and buckling compared to other shapes.

4. Connection Design
- Connection design is an important aspect of the design of tension members.
The connections between the members and other structural elements must be
designed to transfer loads safely and efficiently.
- The connections must be designed to resist various types of loads, including
axial, shear, and bending.
- The connection details must be selected based on the loading conditions and
the requirements of the design codes and standards.

5. Effective Net Area

- The design of tension members involves the determination of the effective net
area of the member. The effective net area is the area of the cross-section that
can effectively resist tensile loads.
- The effective net area is determined by subtracting the area of any holes or slots
in the member from the gross area of the cross-section.
- The effective net area is an important factor in determining the allowable stress
in the member.
- The design of tension members involves the determination of the effective net
area of the member. The effective net area is the area of the cross-section that
can effectively resist tensile loads.
- The effective net area is determined by subtracting the area of any holes or slots
in the member from the gross area of the cross-section.
- The effective net area is an important factor in determining the allowable stress
in the member.

6. Bolted Connections
- Bolted connections are commonly used in tension members. The design of
bolted connections involves the determination of the bolt capacity and the
spacing and edge distance of the bolts.
- The bolt capacity is the maximum load the bolt can withstand before failure.
- The spacing and edge distance of the bolts are important factors in determining
the shear and tension capacity of the connection.

7. Welded Connections
- Welded connections are also commonly used in tension members. The design
of welded connections involves the determination of the weld size and the type of
weld.
- The weld size is the length and thickness of the weld required to transfer the
load between the members.
- The type of weld is selected based on the loading conditions and the
requirements of the design codes and standards.

Practice Problem:

A tension member is required to support a load of 100 kips. The member is made
of A36 steel and has a circular cross-section with a diameter of 2 inches. The
bolts used in the connection are ASTM A325, and the edge distance is 2.5 inches.
Determine the minimum bolt spacing required for the connection.

Solution:

Step 1: Determine the material properties of A36 steel.

The yield stress of A36 steel is 36 ksi, and the ultimate strength is 58 ksi.

St 2 D t i th ff ti t f th b
 Step 1: Determine the material properties of A36 steel.

The yield stress of A36 steel is 36 ksi, and the ultimate strength is 58 ksi.

Step 2: Determine the effective net area of the member.

The effective net area of a circular cross-section is equal to the gross area of the
cross-section minus the area of any holes or slots in the member. Since the
member has no holes or slots, the effective net area is equal to the gross area.

The gross area of the member can be calculated as:

Ag = π/4 * D^2
Ag = π/4 * 2^2
Ag = 3.14 in^2

The effective net area is equal to the gross area since there are no holes or slots
in the member.

Ae = Ag
Ae = 3.14 in^2

Step 3: Determine the allowable stress for the member.

The allowable stress design method will be used to determine the allowable
stress for the member.

The allowable stress can be calculated as:

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Introduction to Structural Design
CVL 500
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Introduction to Structural Design
CVL 500
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221013 CVL600 4 Pile Notes

20 Introduction to Structural Design None

CVL500 L2 - Lecture Notes and examples

5 Introduction to Structural Design None

CVL 500 L11 - Lecture Summary

8 Introduction to Structural Design None

CVL 500 L 12 - Lecture Summary

9
Introduction to Structural Design None

CVL 500 L10 - Lecture Summary

11
Introduction to Structural Design None

CIVL1095 9 Shear Stress in Beams

11
Introduction to Structural Design None
Fa = Fy / Ω
Fa = 36 ksi / 2.0
Fa = 18 ksi

Step 4: Determine the required tensile strength for the member.

 CIVL1095 9 Shear Stress in Beams

11
Introduction to Structural Design None
Fa = Fy / Ω
Fa = 36 ksi / 2.0
Fa = 18 ksi

Step 4: Determine the required tensile strength for the member.

The required tensile strength can be calculated as:

Pu = Fa * Ae
Pu = 18 ksi * 3.14 in^2
Pu = 56.52 kips

Step 5: Determine the bolt capacity.

The bolt capacity can be calculated using the following equation:

Fb = 0.75 * Fu * Ab
Fb = 0.75 * 120 ksi * 0.334 in^2
Fb = 30 ksi

Step 6: Determine the required number of bolts.

The required number of bolts can be calculated as:

N = Pu / (Fb * Ab)
N = 100 kips / (30 ksi * 0.334 in^2)
N = 10.02 bolts

Since the number of bolts must be a whole number, 11 bolts will be used.

Step 7: Determine the required bolt spacing.

The required bolt spacing can be calculated using the following equation:
Since the number of bolts must be a whole number, 11 bolts will be used.

Step 7: Determine the required bolt spacing.

The required bolt spacing can be calculated using the following equation:

s = 1.13 * Db * √(Fu / Fb)

s = 1.13 * 2 in * √(58 ksi / 30 ksi)
s = 2.41 in

However, the minimum edge distance is 1.5 inches, and the edge distance for this
problem is 2.5 inches. Therefore, the minimum bolt spacing is equal to the edge
distance:

s = 2.5 inches

Therefore, the minimum bolt spacing required for the connection is 2.5 inches.

Practice Problem:

Design a compression member made of ASTM A992 steel to support a

compressive load of 300 kips. The length of the member is 20 feet and it will be
fixed at both ends. The member will be connected to a gusset plate using four
7/8-inch diameter bolts arranged in a square pattern with a 3-inch spacing
between bolts. Determine the required size of the member.

Solution:

Step 1: Determine the material properties of ASTM A992 steel.

The yield stress of ASTM A992 steel is 50 ksi, and the ultimate strength is 65 ksi.

Step 2: Determine the effective length factor.

Since the member is fixed at both ends, the effective length factor can be
assumed to be 1.0.
The yield stress of ASTM A992 steel is 50 ksi, and the ultimate strength is 65 ksi.

Step 2: Determine the effective length factor.

Since the member is fixed at both ends, the effective length factor can be
assumed to be 1.0.

Step 3: Determine the allowable compressive stress.

The allowable compressive stress can be calculated as:

Fcr = π^2 * E / (K * L / r)^2

where:

E = 29,000 ksi (elastic modulus of steel)

K = 1.0 (end conditions factor for a fixed-fixed member)
L = 20 ft (length of the member)
r = SQRT(I/A) (radius of gyration of the cross-section)

From the AISC Steel Construction Manual, Table 1-1, a W10x49 section has an
area of 14.4 in^2, a moment of inertia of 169.8 in^4, and a radius of gyration of
2.65 in.

Plugging in the values, we get:

r = SQRT(I/A)
r = SQRT(169.8 in^4 / 14.4 in^2)
r = 3.22 in

Fcr = π^2 * E / (K * L / r)^2

Fcr = π^2 * 29,000 ksi / (1 * 20 ft / (3.22 in * 12 in/ft))^2
Fcr = 26.8 ksi

St 4 D t i th i d f th i b
Fcr = π^2 * E / (K * L / r)^2
Fcr = π^2 * 29,000 ksi / (1 * 20 ft / (3.22 in * 12 in/ft))^2
Fcr = 26.8 ksi

Step 4: Determine the required area of the compression member.

The required area of the compression member can be calculated as:

Areq = Pu / Fcr

where:

Pu = 300 kips (load on the member)

Fcr = 26.8 ksi (allowable compressive stress)

Plugging in the values, we get:

Areq = 300 kips / 26.8 ksi

Areq = 11.2 in^2

Step 5: Select a W-shaped member.

From the AISC Steel Construction Manual, Table 2-4, the minimum section
modulus required for a W-shaped member with Fy = 50 ksi and Fy/Fu ratio of 0.9
is 14.8 in^3.

From Table 1-1, a W14x30 has a section modulus of 16.9 in^3 which meets the
minimum requirement.