Compression Members
COLUMN STABILITY
A. Flexural Buckling
Elastic Buckling
Inelastic Buckling
Yielding
B. Local Buckling Section E7 pp 16.1-39
and B4 pp 16.1-14
C. Lateral Torsional Buckling
AISC Requirements
CHAPTER E pp 16.1-32
Nominal Compressive Strength
Pn Fcr Ag
AISC Eqtn E3-1
AISC Requirements
LRFD
Pu c Pn
Pu Sum of factored loads
c resistance factor for compression 0.90
c Pn design compressive strength
Design Strength
In Summary
Fy
0.658 F Fy
KL
E
if
4.71
r
Fy
or Fe 0.44 Fy
Fcr
0.877 Fe
KL
200
r
otherwise
Local Stability - Section B4 pp 16.1-14
Local Stability:
If elements of cross section are thin LOCAL buckling occurs
The strength corresponding to any buckling mode cannot be developed
Local Stability - Section B4 pp 16.1-14
Local Stability:
If elements of cross section are thin LOCAL buckling occurs
The strength corresponding to any buckling mode cannot be developed
Local Stability - Section B4 pp 16.1-14
Stiffened Elements of Cross-Section
Unstiffened Elements of Cross-Section
Local Stability - Section B4 pp 16.1-14
Compact
Section Develops its full plastic stress before buckling
(failure is due to yielding only)
Noncompact
Yield stress is reached in some but not all of its compression elements
before buckling takes place
(failure is due to partial buckling partial yielding)
Slender
Yield stress is never reached in any of the compression elements
(failure is due to local buckling only)
Local Stability - Section B4 pp 16.1-14
If local buckling occurs cross section is not fully effective
Avoid whenever possible
Measure of susceptibility to local buckling
Width-Thickness ratio of each cross sectional element:
If cross section has slender elements - r
Reduce Axial Strength (E7 pp 16.1-39 )
Slenderness Parameter - Limiting Values
AISC B5 Table B4.1
pp 16.1-16
Slenderness Parameter - Limiting Values
AISC B5 Table B4.1
pp 16.1-17
Slenderness Parameter - Limiting Values
AISC B5 Table B4.1
pp 16.1-18
Slender Cross Sectional Element:
Strength Reduction E7 pp 16.1-39
Reduction Factor Q:
QFy
0.658 F QFy
KL
E
if
4.71
r
QFy
or Fe 0.44QFy
Fcr
0.877 Fe
otherwise
Q: B4.1 B4.2 pp 16.1-40 to 16.1-43
Slender Cross Sectional Element:
Strength Reduction E7 pp 16.1-39
Reduction Factor Q:
e
0.658 F
QFy
Fy
if
KL
E
4.71
r
QFy
or Fe 0.44QFy
Fcr
0.877 Fe otherwise
Q=QsQa
Qs, Qa: B4.1 B4.2 pp 16.1-40 to 16.1-43
COLUMN STABILITY
A. Flexural Buckling
Elastic Buckling
Inelastic Buckling
Yielding
B. Local Buckling Section E7 pp 16.1-39
and B4 pp 16.1-14
C. Torsional, Lateral/Torsional Buckling
Torsional & Flexural Torsional Buckling
When an axially loaded member becomes unstable overall
(no local buckling) it buckles one of the three ways
Flexural Buckling
Torsional Buckling
Flexural-Torsional
Buckling
Torsional Buckling
Twisting about longitudinal axis of member
Only with doubly symmetrical cross sections with slender crosssectional elements
Cruciform shape particularly
vulnerable
Standard Hot-Rolled Shapes are
NOT susceptible
Built-Up Members should be
investigated
Flexural Torsional Buckling
Combination of Flexural and Torsional Buckling
Only with unsymmetrical cross sections
1 Axis of Symmetry: channels, structural
tees, double-angle,
equal length single
angles
No Axis of Symmetry: unequal length single
angles
Torsional Buckling
ECw
1
Fe
2
K z L GJ I x I y
2
Eq. E4-4
Cw = Warping Constant (in6)
Kz = Effective Length Factor for Torsional Buckling
(based on end restraints against twisting)
G = Shear Modulus (11,200 ksi for structural steel)
J = Torsional Constant
Lateral Torsional Buckling 1-Axis of Symmetry
Fe
Fey Fez
4 Fey Fez H
1 1
2H
Fey Fez
2E
Fey
K y L ry 2
H 1
xo , yo
xo2 yo2
r
2
o
AISC Eq. E4-5
2 ECw
1
Fez
GJ
2
2
K
L
z
Ag r o
2
o
r x y
2
o
2
o
Ix Iy
Ag
Coordinates of shear center w.r.t centroid of section
Lateral Torsional Buckling No Axis of Symmetry
Fe Fex Fe Fey Fe Fez
2
xo
F Fe Fey
ro
2
e
yo
F Fe Fex
ro
2
e
Fe is the lowest root of the
Cubic equation
AISC Eq. E4-6
In Summary - Definition of Fe
Fe:
Elastic Buckling Stress corresponding to the controlling mode of
failure (flexural, torsional or flexural torsional)
Theory of Elastic Stability (Timoshenko & Gere 1961)
Flexural Buckling
2E
Fe
KL / r 2
Torsional Buckling Flexural Torsional
2-axis of symmetry Buckling
1 axis of symmetry
AISC Eqtn
E4-4
AISC Eqtn
E4-5
Flexural Torsional
Buckling
No axis of symmetry
AISC Eqtn
E4-6
Column Strength
0.658
Fy
Fy
Fe
Fcr
if Fe 0.44 Fy
0.877 Fe
otherwise
Pn Fcr Ag
EXAMPLE
Compute the compressive strength of a WT12x81 of A992 steel.
Assume (KxL) = 25.5 ft, (KyL) = 20 ft, and (Kz L) = 20 ft
FLEXURAL Buckling X axis
WT 12X81
Ag=23.9 in2
rx=3.50 in
ry=3.05 in
KL K x L 25.5 12
87.43 200
r
rx
3.50
4.71
E
29,000
4.71
113 87.43
Fy
50
OK
Inelastic Buckling
2E
2 29,000
Fe
37.44 ksi
2
2
KL r
87.43
Fy
Fe
Fcr 0.658
50
37.44
Fy 0.658
(50) 28.59 ksi
Pn Fcr Ag 28.59( 23.9) 683.3 kips
EXAMPLE
FLEXURAL TORSIONAL Buckling Y axis (axis of symmetry)
WT 12X81
Ag=23.9 in2
rx=3.50 in
ry=3.05 in
KyL
ry
20 12
78.69 200
3.05
2E
Fey
KyL r y
OK
2 29,000
46.22 ksi
2
78.69
y=2.70 in
tf=1.22 in
Shear Center
Ix=293 in4
Iy=221 in4
x0 0
J=9.22 in4
Cw=43.8 in6
y0 y
Ix Iy
r x y
Ag
2
o
2
o
2
o
293 221
0 ( 2.09)
25.87
23.9
2
tf
2
EXAMPLE
FLEXURAL TORSIONAL Buckling Y axis (axis of symmetry)
WT 12X81
Ag=23.9 in2
rx=3.50 in
ry=3.05 in
y=2.70 in
tf=1.22 in
Ix=293 in4
Iy=221 in4
J=9.22 in4
Cw=43.8 in6
2 ECw
1
Fez
GJ
2
2
K
L
z
Ag r o
2 ( 29,000)( 43.8)
11,200(9.22)
2
2
20
12
23
.
9
25
.
87
167.4ksi
EXAMPLE
FLEXURAL TORSIONAL Buckling Y axis (axis of symmetry)
WT 12X81
Ag=23.9 in
H 1
0 2.090
1
0.8312
25.87
2
xo2 yo2
r
2
o
rx=3.50 in
ry=3.05 in
Fey Fez
Fe
2H
y=2.70 in
tf=1.22 in
4 Fey Fez H
Fey Fez
1 1
46.22 167.4
4 46.22 167.4 0.8312
1 1
2
2 0.8312
46.22 167.4
Ix=293 in4
Iy=221 in4
J=9.22 in4
Cw=43.8 in
53.63ksi
EXAMPLE
FLEXURAL TORSIONAL Buckling Y axis (axis of symmetry)
WT 12X81
Ag=23.9 in2
rx=3.50 in
Elastic or Inelastic LTB?
0.44 Fy 0.44(50) 22.0ksi Fe 43.63
ry=3.05 in
0.658
y=2.70 in
tf=1.22 in
Ix=293 in4
Iy=221 in4
J=9.22 in4
Cw=43.8 in6
Fy
Fy
Fe
Fcr
if Fe 0.44 Fy
0.877 Fe
otherwise
EXAMPLE
FLEXURAL TORSIONAL Buckling Y axis (axis of symmetry)
WT 12X81
Ag=23.9 in2
rx=3.50 in
ry=3.05 in
y=2.70 in
tf=1.22 in
Ix=293 in4
Iy=221 in4
J=9.22 in4
Cw=43.8 in6
Fcr 0.658
0.658
Fy
Fy
Fe
50
43.63
50 28.59ksi
Pn Fcr Ag 30.95( 2.70) 739.7kips
Compare to FLEXURAL Buckling X axis
Pn Fcr Ag 21.82( 23.9) 683.3 kips
Column Design Tables
Assumption : Strength Governed by Flexural Buckling
Check Local Buckling
Column Design Tables
Design strength of selected shapes for effective length KL
Table 4-1 to 4-2, (pp 4-10 to 4-316)
Critical Stress for Slenderness KL/r
table 4.22 pp (4-318 to 4-322)
EXAMPLE
Compute the available compressive strength of a W14x74 A992 steel
compression member. Assume pinned ends and L=20 ft. Use (a) Table 422 and (b) column load tables
(a) LRFD - Table 4-22 pp 4-318
Maximum
KL KL (1)( 20)(12)
96.77 200
r
ry
2.48
Fy=50 ksi
Table has integer values of (KL/r) Round up or interpolate
Pcr 22.67ksi
Pn Pcr Ag 22.67( 21.8) 494ksi
EXAMPLE
Compute the available compressive strength of a W14x74 A992 steel
compression member. Assume pinned ends and L=20 ft. Use (a) Table 422 and (b) column load tables
(b) LRFD Column Load Tables
Tabular values based on minimum radius of gyration
Maximum KL (1)( 20) 20 ft
c Pn 494kips
Fy=50 ksi
Example II
A W12x58, 24 feet long in pinned at both ends and braced in the weak
direction at the third points. A992 steel is used. Determine available
compressive strength
Ag 17
rx 5.28
ry 2.51
K x L 1(24)(12)
54.55 200
rx
5.28
K y L 1(8)(12)
38.25 200
ry
2.51
Enter table 4.22 with KL/r=54.55 (LRFD)
Pcr 36.24ksi
Pn Pcr Ag 36.24(17)
616kips
Example II
A W12x58, 24 feet long in pinned at both ends and braced in the weak
direction at the third points. A992 steel is used. Determine available
compressive strength
Ag 17
rx 5.28
ry 2.51
K x L 1(24)(12)
54.55 200
rx
5.28
K y L 1(8)(12)
38.25 200
ry
2.51
Enter table 4.22 with KL/r=54.55 (ASD)
Fcr
24.09ksi
c
Pn
Fcr
Ag 410kips
c c
Example II
A W12x58, 24 feet long in pinned at both ends and braced in the weak
direction at the third points. A992 steel is used. Determine available
compressive strength
K x L 1( 24)(12)
54.55 200
rx
5.28
CAN I USE Column Load Tables?
K y L 1(8)(12)
38.25 200
ry
2.51
Not Directly because they are
based on min r (y axis buckling)
If x-axis buckling enter table with
KxL
KL
rx ry
Example II
A W12x58, 24 feet long in pinned at both ends and braced in the weak
direction at the third points. A992 steel is used. Determine available
compressive strength
K x L 1( 24)(12)
54.55 200
rx
5.28
K y L 1(8)(12)
38.25 200
ry
2.51
X-axis buckling enter table with
K x L (1)( 24)
KL
11.43 ft
rx ry
2.1
Pn 616kips
