A Beginners Guide to the Steel Construction Manual

Example 6.1

last modified: 15 July 2008

by: TBQ

Given: A column is to be 15 ft long. In the strong plane, the column is part of an unbraced frame, one end is
Given: A column is to be 15 ft long. In the strong plane, the column is part of an unbraced frame, one end is
to be considered fixed and the other pinned. In the weak plane, the column is part of a braced frame, both
to be considered fixed and the other pinned. In the weak plane, the column is part of a braced frame, both
ends are to be considered pinned and there is a lateral support provided 5 ft from one end.
ends are to be considered pinned and there is a lateral support provided 5 ft from one end.
Wanted: Determine the controlling effective length, KL, for the column using the following cross sections.
Wanted: Determine the controlling effective length, KL, for the column using the following cross sections.
Note that the sections chosen are all approximately the same weight.
Note that the sections chosen are all approximately the same weight.
a) C 10x30; b) W 14x30; c) HSS 7x4x1/2; d) HSS 10x0.312
a) C 10x30; b) W 14x30; c) HSS 7x4x1/2; d) HSS 10x0.312
Solution:
Results Summary: (Calculations follow)

Section
C10X30
W14X30
HSS7X4X1/2
HSS10X0.312

(KL/r)
179.6
80.5
157.5
110.2

Controlling
Direction
Weak
Weak
Strong
N/A

The figure illustrates the buckling parameters in each principle plane.

Determine the effective length coefficient(s) in each plane:

Strong Plane/Direction:
Unbraced, Fixed, Pinned

Weak Plane/Direction:
Braced, Pinned, Pinned
Lower

Upper

Kx

2.1

Ky

15 ft

Ly

10

ft

5
Controlling (KL)y

10

ft

Lx
(KL)x

31.5 ft

(KL)y

10 ft

Determine the slenderness ratios for each section

Section

a.
b.
c.
d.

C10X30
W14X30
HSS7X4X1/2
HSS10X0.312

Strong Plane/Direction Weak Plane/Direction Controlling

rx
(KL/r)x
ry
(KL/r)y
(KL/r)
(in)
(in)
3.42
110.5
0.668
179.6
179.6
5.73
66.0
1.49
80.5
80.5
2.40
157.5
1.53
78.4
157.5
3.43
110.2
3.43
35.0
110.2

Plane
Weak
Weak
Strong
N/A

A Beginners Guide to the Steel Construction Manual

Example 6.2

last modified: 15 July 2008

by: TBQ

Given: The sections listed below are to be concentrically loaded in compression.

Given: The sections listed below are to be concentrically loaded in compression.

Wanted: Determine the Fy for which each of the sections will be considered slender.
Wanted: Determine the Fy for which each of the sections will be considered slender.

a) W 18x35; b) C 9x13.4; c) HSS 10x4x1/8; d) HSS 7.5x0.188; e) M 4x6

a) W 18x35; b) C 9x13.4; c) HSS 10x4x1/8; d) HSS 7.5x0.188; e) M 4x6
Solution:
UnStiffened Element
Section
W18X35
C9X13.4
HSS10X4X1/8
HSS7.500X0.188
M4X6

Case
3
3
N/A
N/A
3

Coeff.
0.56
0.56
----------0.56

Stiffened Element
b/t

Fy

Case

Coeff.

b/t

7.06
5.88
----------11.90

(ksi)
182.5
263.0
----------64.2

10
10
12
15
10

1.49
1.49
1.40
0.11
1.49

53.5
30.0
83.2
40.20
22.0

The critical Fy is the yield stress at which the member is considered to be slender for axial compresson.
See SCM Table B4.1 (pg 16.1-16) for slenderness criteria equations.

ed: 15 July 2008

d slender.
ed slender.

4x6
M 4x6

compresson.

Fy

Critical
Fy

(ksi)
22.5
71.3
8.2
79.4
133.0

(ksi)
22.5
71.3
8.2
79.4
64.2

A Beginners Guide to the Steel Construction Manual

Example 6.3

last modified: 11 Aug 2007

by: TBQ

Given: The frame depicted in MISCDET 3/S5.3.

Given: The frame depicted in MISCDET 3/S5.3.
Wanted: Determine the effective length of each column segment.
Wanted: Determine the effective length of each column segment.
Solution:
Solution Summary: Column effective lengths
Grid
In Plane:

Level
3rd flr
2nd flr
1st flr

Out of Plane
Level
3rd flr
2nd flr
1st flr top
1st ftr btm

1
(ft)
13.20
6.75
13.75

Grid
All
(ft)
12
10
5.5
5.5

2
(ft)
15.60
8.00
20.57

3
(ft)
21.48
8.60
20.68

4
(ft)
28.56
8.40
14.19

Grid 1: Strong Axis Bending

Level
3rd flr
2nd flr
1st flr top
1st ftr btm

L
(ft)
12
10
5.5
5.5

K
1
1
1
1

KL
(ft)
12
10
5.5
5.5

In this direction, all joints are braced and there are no intersecting
beams that cause rotational restraint in the plane of the web.

Grid 1: Weak Axis Bending

Level
Roof
3rd
2nd
Fndtn
Level

Joint

Height
below
(ft)
12
10
11

Column
Below

Bending Left Girder

Axis
Section

W14X82
W14X82
W14X82

W
W
W

----------

Length
(ft)
0.00
0.00
0.00

Right Girder
Section
Length
(ft)
W21X50
20.00
W21X55
20.00
W21X55
20.00

Ic,above

Lc,above

Ic,below

Lc,below

lg,left

Lg,left

Ig,right

Lg,right

(in4)

(in4)

(in4)
0.0

(ft)
0.0

(in4)

148.0

(ft)
12.00

984.0

(ft)
20.0

0.251

Roof

0.0

(ft)
0.00

3rd

148.0

12.00

148.0

10.00

0.0

0.0

1140.0

20.0

0.476

2nd

148.0

10.00

148.0

11.00

0.0

0.0

1140.0

20.0

0.496

Fndtn

148.0

11.00

----

----

----

----

----

----

Sidesway

KL

frm Nomographs (ft)

3rd floor
2nd floor
1st floor

Uninhibited

1.1

13.20

Inhibited

0.675

6.75

Uninhibited

1.25

13.75

Grid 2: Weak Axis Bending

Level
3rd flr
2nd flr
1st flr top
1st ftr btm

L
(ft)
12
10
5.5
5.5

K
1
1
1
1

KL
(ft)
12
10
5.5
5.5

In this direction, all joints are braced and there are no intersecting
beams that cause rotational restraint in the plane of the flange

Grid 2: Strong Axis Bending

Level
Roof
3rd
2nd
Fndtn
Level

Joint

Height
below
(ft)
12
10
11

Column
Below

Bending Left Girder

Axis
Section

W12X65
W12X65
W12X65

S
S
S

W21X50
W21X55
W21X55

Length
(ft)
20.00
20.00
20.00

Right Girder
Section
Length
(ft)
W21X62
30.00
---30.00
W24X68
30.00

Ic,above

Lc,above

Ic,below

Lc,below

lg,left

Lg,left

Ig,right

Lg,right

(in4)

(in4)

(in4)
984.0

(ft)
20.0

(in4)

533.0

(ft)
12.00

1330.0

(ft)
30.0

0.475

Roof

0.0

(ft)
0.00

3rd

533.0

12.00

533.0

10.00

1140.0

20.0

0.0

30.0

1.714

2nd

533.0

10.00

533.0

11.00

1140.0

20.0

1830.0

30.0

0.862

Fndtn

533.0

11.00

----

----

----

----

----

----

10

Sidesway

KL

frm Nomographs (ft)

3rd floor
2nd floor
1st floor

Uninhibited

1.3

15.60

Inhibited

0.8

8.00

Uninhibited

1.87

20.57

Grid 3: Weak Axis Bending

Level
3rd flr
2nd flr
1st flr top
1st ftr btm

L
(ft)
12
10
5.5
5.5

K
1
1
1
1

KL
(ft)
12
10
5.5
5.5

In this direction, all joints are braced and there are no intersecting
beams that cause rotational restraint in the plane of the flange

Grid 3: Strong Axis Bending

Level
Roof
3rd
2nd
Fndtn
Level

Joint

Height
below
(ft)
12
10
11

Column
Below

Bending Left Girder

Axis
Section

W12X65
W12X65
W12X65

S
S
S

W21X62
---W24X68

Length
(ft)
30.00
30.00
30.00

Right Girder
Section
Length
(ft)
W18X35
15.00
---15.00
W18X35
15.00

Ic,above

Lc,above

Ic,below

Lc,below

lg,left

Lg,left

Ig,right

Lg,right

(in4)

(in4)

(in4)
1330.0

(ft)
30.0

(in4)

533.0

(ft)
12.00

510.0

(ft)
15.0

0.567

Roof

0.0

(ft)
0.00

3rd

533.0

12.00

533.0

10.00

0.0

30.0

0.0

15.0

10.000

2nd

533.0

10.00

533.0

11.00

1830.0

30.0

510.0

15.0

1.071

Fndtn

533.0

11.00

----

----

----

----

----

----

10

Sidesway

KL

frm Nomographs (ft)

3rd floor
2nd floor
1st floor

Uninhibited

1.79

21.48

Inhibited

0.86

8.60

Uninhibited

1.88

20.68

Grid 4: Strong Axis Bending

Level
3rd flr
2nd flr
1st flr top
1st ftr btm

L
(ft)
12
10
5.5
5.5

K
1
1
1
1

KL
(ft)
12
10
5.5
5.5

In this direction, all joints are braced and there are no intersecting
beams that cause rotational restraint in the plane of the flange

Grid 4: Weak Axis Bending

Level
Roof
3rd
2nd
Fndtn
Level

Joint

Height
below
(ft)
12
10
11

Column
Below

Bending Left Girder

Axis
Section

W14X82
W14X82
W14X82

W
W
W

W18X35
---W18X35

Length
(ft)
15.00
15.00
15.00

Right Girder
Section
Length
(ft)
---0.00
---0.00
---0.00

Ic,above

Lc,above

Ic,below

Lc,below

lg,left

Lg,left

Ig,right

Lg,right

(in4)

(in4)

(in4)
510.0

(ft)
15.0

(in4)

148.0

(ft)
12.00

0.0

(ft)
0.0

0.363

Roof

0.0

(ft)
0.00

3rd

148.0

12.00

148.0

10.00

0.0

15.0

0.0

0.0

10.000

2nd

148.0

10.00

148.0

11.00

510.0

15.0

0.0

0.0

0.831

Fndtn

148.0

11.00

----

----

----

----

----

----

Sidesway

KL

frm Nomographs (ft)

3rd floor
2nd floor
1st floor

Uninhibited

2.38

28.56

Inhibited

0.84

8.40

Uninhibited

1.29

14.19