CHAPTER 3 :

DESIGN OF STEEL COLUMN

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOME (CLO) :

CLO 1: Design single storey building for steel structure correctly according to
Eurocode 3

PROGRAMME LEARNING OUTCOME (PLO) :

PLO 3: Design solutions for well-defined technical problems and assist with the
design of systems, components, or processes to meet specified needs with
appropriate consideration for public health and safety, cultural, societal, and
environmental considerations (DK5)
 INTRODUCTION

 Column carry load primarily in compression along a length,

and are found in most building structures.
 Columns sometimes referred to as stanchions, and struts are
structural elements which support compressive loads primarily
along their longitudinal axes.
 Vertical compression member supporting floors and / or roofs
in structural frames. In many cases such members are
subjected to both axial and bending effects
 Axial compression is normally the predominant effect
LOADS TO COLUMN
TYPE OF CROSS - SECTION

Dominant mode of
failure to be considered is
axial buckling. Buckling
normally expected to
occur about the weakest
axis
 TYPICAL
SECTION
Choices for a range of applications :
1. Light trusses and bracing
• Angles (including compound angles back to back)
2. Larger trusses
• Circular hollow section, rectangular hollow section, compound
section and universal column Angles Section
3. Frames
• Universal Column (UC) fabricated sections e.g. reinforced UCs
4. Bridges
• Box column
5. Power Stations
• Stiffened box column
Compound Section
 COLUMN
BEHAVIOUR
 Depend on whether Stocky or Slender.
 Short and stocky column under axial load will experience bending stress only, on further loading
the column will reach its collapse load.

 Axial compression resistance of the column N = fy x A

 In practice, the failure load of steel columns is associated with buckling; this is related to the
column slenderness. Instead of just axially shortening in length, it buckles and deforms
perpendicular to its axis.
 This value of load is called the buckling load. When a column has reached its buckling load it has
effectively failed as a structural element and is incapable of sustaining the load.

 In general the performance of column and its ultimate strength is based upon the slenderness λ and
design strength py.
 COLUMN BEHAVIOUR
 In practice, the failure load of steel columns is
associated with buckling; this is related to the column
slenderness.
 Instead of just axially shortening in length, it buckles
and deforms perpendicular to its axis. This value of
load is called the buckling load.
 When a column has reached its buckling load it has
effectively failed as a structural element and is
incapable of sustaining the load.
 In general the performance of column and its ultimate
strength is based upon the slenderness and material
strength fy.
 DEVELOPMENT OF COLUMN FORMULAE
Column buckling was first investigated by Euler who established that the buckling strength is
inversely proportional to the square of the slenderness ratio.

where,
Ncr = Euler collapse load.
E= Modulus of elasticity of the material of construction of the column.
I = Moment of inertia of the column section.
L = Length of the pin-ended column.
 DEVELOPMENT OF COLUMN FORMULAE
Divide by cross-sectional area A,

This relationship can be represented graphically as a

graph of buckling stress against (L/i). Clearly the value
of (L/i) is of considerable importance in determining
the ability of a column to carry load without buckling.
DESIGN OF AXIALLY
LOADED COLUMN
VERIFICATION :
• Cross section check

• Member buckling
check
Where χ is the reduction

Calculate reduction factor, χ

 Non-dimensional Slenderness and Effective length (Lcr)

Ncr is the elastic critical buckling load for the relevant

buckling mode based on the gross properties of the cross-
section.

Recommended values for imperfection factors for lateral

torsional buckling curve
 Continue..
Refer worksheet
column