COMPRESSION

MEMBERS
STEEL AND TIMBER DESIGN
Prof-Engr. Edgardo S. Cruz, MSCE
Mapua University Manila
 CE134P Steel & Timber Design
Prof-Engr. Edgardo S. Cruz, MSCE
Mapua University Manila

COMPRESSION MEMBERS

ELEMENTS MODES OF FAILURE

• Columns • Flexural Buckling
• Truss Members • Torsional Buckling
• Bracing for Buildings and • Flexural-Torsional Buckling
Bridges • Yielding
• Struts
 CE134P Steel & Timber Design
Prof-Engr. Edgardo S. Cruz, MSCE
Mapua University Manila

P
COLUMN THEORY P

Consider the long, slender compression

member. If the axial load P is slowly applied, it
will ultimately become large enough to cause the
member to become unstable and assume the
shape indicated by the dashed line. The member
is said to have buckled, and the corresponding
load is called the critical buckling load.
P
P
 CE134P Steel & Timber Design
Prof-Engr. Edgardo S. Cruz, MSCE
Mapua University Manila

EULER BUCKLING LOAD

Critical buckling load when the member is 𝛑𝟐 𝐄𝐈
elastic, stress below proportionality limit, and 𝐏𝒆 = 𝟐
has pinned ends, free to rotate. 𝐋

CRITICAL BUCKLING STRESS

𝟐 • 𝑬=Modulus of Elasticity
𝝅 𝐄 • 𝑰=Moment of inertia about the axis of buckling
𝐅𝒆 =
𝐋 𝟐 • 𝑳=Unsupported length
( )
𝐫 • 𝒓=Radius of gyration corresponding to axis of
buckling
• 𝑳/𝒓=Slenderness ratio
 CE134P Steel & Timber Design
Prof-Engr. Edgardo S. Cruz, MSCE
Mapua University Manila

CONCEPT OF BUCKLING

• Buckling occurs when the load

reaches Pe or the stress reaches Fe.

• Column will become unstable about

principal axis with the largest
slenderness ratio, or minimum
moment of inertia and radius of
gyration.

CE134P Steel & Timber Design

Prof-Engr. Edgardo S. Cruz, MSCE
Mapua University Manila
 CE134P Steel & Timber Design
Prof-Engr. Edgardo S. Cruz, MSCE
Mapua University Manila

EFFECTIVE LENGTH, 𝑳𝒆 = 𝒌𝑳
• This length approximates the length over which, the column actually buckles &
this may be shorter or longer than the actual unbraced length.

𝟐
𝛑 𝐄𝐈
𝐏𝒆 =
(𝒌𝐋)𝟐
𝟐
𝝅 𝐄
𝐅𝒆 = 𝐤𝐋 𝟐
( )
𝐫
 CE134P Steel & Timber Design
Prof-Engr. Edgardo S. Cruz, MSCE
Mapua University Manila

NSCP GENERAL PROVISION

• LFRD: Φc 𝑷𝒏 ≥ 𝑷𝒖 Φc = 𝟎. 𝟗
𝑷𝒏
• ASD: ≥ 𝑷𝒖 Ω𝒄 = 𝟏. 𝟔𝟕
Ω𝒄

NOMINAL STRENGTH
For singly symmetric and doubly symmetric members (W, S, C shapes) with
compact and non-compact section, the limit state of flexural buckling is
applicable where:

𝐏𝐧 = 𝑭𝒄𝒓 𝑨𝒈
 CE134P Steel & Timber Design
Prof-Engr. Edgardo S. Cruz, MSCE

SLENDERNESS RATIO Mapua University Manila

Note:
𝐒𝐑 𝐱 = (𝒌𝒙 𝑳𝒙 )/𝒓𝒙 Maximum slenderness ratio ,
𝐊𝐋
𝐫
𝐒𝐑 𝒚 = (𝒌𝒚 𝑳𝒚 )/𝒓𝒚 for compression members is 200

CRITICAL SLENDERNESS RATIO, Cc

𝐸 Note:
𝑪𝒄 = 4.71 Cc is the upper limit of elastic buckling failure where its
𝐹𝑦 average column stress is equal to 0.445Fy.

TWO GROUPS OF COLUMNS

1. Intermediate Column
2. Long Column
*These two groups can be identified depending on their slenderness
ratios.
 CE134P Steel & Timber Design
Prof-Engr. Edgardo S. Cruz, MSCE

CRITICAL BUCKLING STRESS, 𝑭𝒄𝒓

Mapua University Manila

1. INTERMEDIATE COLUMN
(inelastic column – Yielding occurs)
𝒌𝑳
𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 ≤ 𝑪𝒄 (𝒐𝒓 𝑭𝒆 ≥ 𝟎. 𝟒𝟒𝑭𝒚)
𝒓 where
𝐹𝑒 = Euler’s elastic critical
𝑭𝒚 buckling stress.
𝑭𝒄𝒓 = 𝟎. 𝟔𝟓𝟖 𝑭𝒆 𝑭𝒚
𝝅𝟐 𝑬
2. LONG COLUMN 𝑭𝒆 =
(elastic column – Buckling occurs) 𝒌𝑳 𝟐
(𝒓)
𝒌𝑳
𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 > 𝑪𝒄 (𝒐𝒓 𝑭𝒆 < 𝟎. 𝟒𝟒𝑭𝒚)
𝒓
𝑭𝒄𝒓 = 𝟎. 𝟖𝟕𝟕𝑭𝒆
 CE134P Steel & Timber Design
SAMPLE PROBLEM 1: Prof-Engr. Edgardo S. Cruz, MSCE
Mapua University Manila

An A36 hinged rectangular column is 50mm x 100mm in cross

section.
a. Determine the mode of failure of the compression member
if its 2 meters long.
b. Determine its design strength in KN.
c. Determine the mode of failure of the compression member
if its 0.5 meter long.
d. Determine its design strength in KN.
 CE134P Steel & Timber Design
SAMPLE PROBLEM 2: Prof-Engr. Edgardo S. Cruz, MSCE
Mapua University Manila

The initial
𝟐
compressive force of a steel column can be determined by using
𝛑 𝐄𝐈
𝐏𝒆 = (𝒌𝑳)𝟐. The x-axis has an unbraced length of 8m which is pinned at the top
and fixed at the bottom to prevent sidesway. The y-axis has an unbraced
length of 4m due to the bracing at the mid-height. The properties of the
column are the following:
A = 8129 𝑚𝑚2 , Ix = 178.3 x 106 𝑚𝑚4 , Iy = 18.8 x 106 𝑚𝑚4
Fy = 345 Mpa, Proportionality Limit: fs = 320 Mpa

a. Calculate the critical/maximum slenderness ratio of the column.

b. Calculate the design strength of the column in KN.
c. Calculate the Initial compressive load of the column in KN.
d. Calculate the minimum length of the column without exceeding the
proportionality limit.
 CE134P Steel & Timber Design

SAMPLE PROBLEM 3: Prof-Engr. Edgardo S. Cruz, MSCE

Mapua University Manila

A W8x35 Steel Column has unsupported length of 8m. Using A36 Steel,
compute for the ultimate axial load capacity (design strength)
a.) If both ends are fixed
b.) If both ends are pinned

W8x35 Properties
A = 6645.15 𝑚𝑚2 rx = 88.9 mm
Ix = 52.45 x 106 𝑚𝑚4 ry = 51.56 mm
Iy = 17.69 x 106 𝑚𝑚4
 CE134P Steel & Timber Design

SAMPLE PROBLEM 4: Prof-Engr. Edgardo S. Cruz, MSCE

Mapua University Manila

A W12x79 of A573 Grade 60 (Fy=415 MPa) steel is used as a

compression member. It is 9m long, pinned at the top fixed at bottom,
and has additional support in the weak direction at mid-height.
Properties of the section are as follows:

A = 14,500 𝑚𝑚2
Ix = 258.6 x 106 𝑚𝑚4
Iy = 84.375 x 106 𝑚𝑚4

Calculate the design axial load capacity of the column, ∅𝑃𝑛 ?

 CE134P Steel & Timber Design
SAMPLE PROBLEM 5: Prof-Engr. Edgardo S. Cruz, MSCE
Mapua University Manila

A36 built-up column 10m long consists of W350x90 with two plates
welded to form a box section. With respect to x-axis the column is fixed,
y-axis column is braced at mid-height. Properties of W- shape Section:
A = 11540 𝑚𝑚2
Ix = 266 x 106 𝑚𝑚4
Iy = 44 x 106 𝑚𝑚4
bf = 250 mm
tf = 16mm
tw = 10mm

Calculate the design axial capacity of the column, ∅𝑃𝑛 ?

 CE134P Steel & Timber Design
SAMPLE PROBLEM 6: DESIGN Prof-Engr. Edgardo S. Cruz, MSCE
Mapua University Manila

Determine the max length of W14x82 section if its used as a hinged

column to support a service dead load of 450KN and service live load of
900 KN. Fy = 450 Mpa.

W14x82 properties
A = 15548 𝑚𝑚2
rx = 153.66mm
ry = 62.94 mm

Required: Max Length, L=?

 CE134P Steel & Timber Design
SAMPLE PROBLEM 7: [EXTENSION OF SP6] Prof-Engr. Edgardo S. Cruz, MSCE
Mapua University Manila

Determine the max length of W14x82 section if its used as a hinged

column to support a service dead load of 450kn and service live load of
900 kN. Fy = 248 Mpa.

W14x82 properties
A = 15548 𝑚𝑚2
rx = 153.66mm
ry = 62.94 mm

Required Max Length, L=?

 CE134P Steel & Timber Design
Prof-Engr. Edgardo S. Cruz, MSCE
Mapua University Manila

LOCAL STABILITY
The strength corresponding to any overall buckling mode
such as flexural buckling cannot be developed if the
elements of the cross sections are so thin that local
buckling occurs. This type of instability is a localized
buckling or wrinkling at an isolated location. If it occurs,
the cross section is no longer fully effective, and the
member has failed.

Limiting values of Width-Thickness ratio

of Stiffened and Unstiffened elements of
Wide Flange Shape.
 CE134P Steel & Timber Design
Prof-Engr. Edgardo S. Cruz, MSCE
Mapua University Manila

Limiting Values of
Width-Thickness
Ratio
of Stiffened and
Unstiffened
Elements of
Different Shapes
to avoid LOCAL
BUCKLING
 CE134P Steel & Timber Design
SAMPLE PROBLEM 8: DESIGN Prof-Engr. Edgardo S. Cruz, MSCE
Mapua University Manila

Design an A36 Wide Flange steel column with a nominal depth

of 450mm that can resist service dead load of 400 kN and a
service live load of 1300kN. The effective length kL is 8m.
Check the chosen section against local stability.

Given:
Fy=248MPa (A36)
WF depth = 450mm = 18 inches, choose W18 section from Manual
Service DL=400kN, Service LL=1300kN
effective Length, kL=8000mm