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Analysis of Compression Members

There are three general modes by which axially loaded columns can fail. These are:-
1) Flexural Buckling ( also called Euler Buckling): is the primary type of buckling
discussed in this chapter. Members are subject to flexure, or bending, when they
become unstable.
2) Local Buckling: occurs when some part or parts of the cross section of a column
are so thin that they buckle locally in compression before the other modes of
buckling can occur. The susceptibility of a column to local buckling is measured
by the width – thickness ratios of the parts of its cross section.
3) Flexural Torsional Buckling: may occur in columns that have certain cross –
sectional configurations. These columns fail by twisting ( torsion) or by a
combination of torsional and flexural buckling.
" Column Critical Buckling Load:
There are two types of columns:
1) Short Column: the failure mode is crushing compression as shown in Figure (a).
2) Long Column: the failure mode is buckling at the mid-span of the member as
shown in Figure (b).

This is called a slender, or long, column, intermediate column fail by a combination of

buckling and compression.

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"Euler Formula
For a pure compression member, the axial load at which the column begins to bow
outward is called the Euler Critical Buckling Load. The Euler critical buckling load for a
column with pinned ends is:
B $$ (4-1)
Where
= Elastic critical buckling load, lb.,
E = Modulus of elasticity, 29000 ksi,
I =Moment of inertia, ns , and
L= Length of the column brace points, in
Knowing that B and that the compression stress on any member is B , we

can express the Euler critical buckling load in terms of stress as:
B (4-2)
Where, , Euler elastic critical buckling stress, psi,
A, Cross – sectional area, ns , r, Radius of gyration,
The Euler equations above assumed that the ends of the column are pinned. For other
end conditions, an adjustment or effective length factor, K, is applied to the column
length. The effective length of a column is defined as KL, where K is usually determined
by one of two methods:
1) AISC Table C–C2.2, this table is especially useful for preliminary design when
the size of the beams, girders, and columns are still unknown.

53
 2) Alignment charts ( AISC Table C–C2.3 and C–C2.4 ), they provide more
accurate values for the effective length factor than AISC Table C–C2.2, but the
process of obtaining these values is more tedious than the first method, and the
alignment charts can only be used if the initial sizes of the columns and girders
are known. This method will be discussed later.
When the column end conditions are other than pinned, equations (4-1) and (4-2) are
modified as follows:

B, -
(4-3)

B, -
(4-4)

The term KL/r is called the slenderness ratio, and the AISC Specification recommends
limiting the column slenderness ratio such that:
Example(4-1):
a) A W10x22 is used as a 15-ft long pin-connected column. Using the Euler
expression, determine the column’s critical or buckling load. Assume that the
steel has a proportional limit of 36 ksi.
b) Repeat part (a) if the length is changed to 8-ft.
Solution:
a) Using a 15-ft long W10x22 ( F B ;28>$ns 0 $w B 826<$ns$0 $w B 5277$ns )
2 $ B B 5277$
59,56-
B B 579278
5277
Elastic or buckling stress is:
Ü
B , -
B 2 $ A the proportional limit or 36 ksi
2
OK column is in elastic range
Elastic or buckling load=15.63(6.49)=101.4 kips
b) Using an 8-ft long W10x22,
Q =,56-
B B <625=
w 5277
Ü
Elastic or buckling stress is: B , -
B 2 $ C $
2

column is in inelastic range and Euler equation is not applicable.

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" Classification of Compression Sections
Classification of Compression Sections for Local Buckling:
Compression sections are classified as :
1) Non-slender element: is one where the width to thickness ratio ( ) of its
compression elements does not exceed ( ) from AISC Table B4.1a.
2) Slender element: is one where the width to thickness ratio ( ) of its compression
elements does exceed ( ) from AISC Table B4.1a.
The limiting values for ( ) are given in AISC Table B4.1a.

Note1: If the member is defined as a non-slender element compression member, we

should refer to Section E3 of the AISC Specification. The nominal compressive
strength is then determine based only on the limit state of flexural buckling.
Note2: If the member is defined as a slender element compression member, we
should refer to Section E7 of the AISC Specification. The nominal compressive
strength shall be taken as the lowest value based on the limit state of flexural
buckling, torsional buckling, and flexural – torsional buckling.

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Long, Short, and Intermediate Columns
Columns are sometimes classed as being long, short, or intermediate. A brief discussion
of each of these classifications is presented below.
1) Long Columns: the Euler formula predicts very well the strength of long
columns where the axial buckling stress remains below the proportional limit.
Such columns will buckle elastically. The slenderness ratio of long column is
greater than 150.( C )
2) Short Columns: For very short columns, the failure stress will equal the yield
stress and no buckling will occur. For a column to fall into this class, it would
have to be so short as to have no practical application. Thus, no further reference
is made to them here. The slenderness ratio of short column is smaller than 40.
( A ).
3) Intermediate Columns: Some of the fibers will reach the yield stress and some
will not. The members will fail by both yielding and buckling, and their behavior
is said to be inelastic. Most columns fall into this range. The slenderness ratio of
intermediate column is between 40 and 150 . ( A A ).
" AISC Requirements
The basic requirements for compression members are covered in Chapter E of the AISC
Specifications.
The LRFD design strength and ASD allowable strength of a column may be determined
as follows:
B (AISC Equation E3-1)
LRFD Compression Strength ASD Compression Strength
( B 2 ) ( B 2 )
B
B

The following expressions show how ( ), the flexural buckling stress of a column,
may be determined for members without slender elements:
a) If 82<5 $$$$ tw$$K 4288K , then

B , 2 - ( AISC Equation E3-2)

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 b) If C 82<5 $$$$ tw$$K A 4288K , then
B 2 ( AISC Equation E3-3)
Where , elastic critical buckling stress determined according to AISC Equation E3-4.
B ( AISC Equation E3-4)

Note: AISC Table 4-22, provides values of critical stresses , and for
practical ( ) values.

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" Analysis Procedure
There are several methods available for the analysis of compression members and these
are discussed below. The first step is to determine the effective length, KL, and the
slenderness ratio, KL/r, for each axis of the column.
Method 1: Use AISC Equations (3-2),(3-3), and (3-4), using the larger of and
.
Method 2: AISC available critical stress tables ( AISC Table 4-22). This gives the
critical buckling stress, , as a function of for various values of .
For a given , determine from the table using the larger of and .
Knowing the critical buckling stress, the axial design capacity can be calculated from the
equation,
LRFD Compression Strength ASD Compression Strength
( B 2 ) ( B 2 )
B
B

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Method 3: AISC available compression strength ( AISC Table 4-1 through Table 4-
12). These tables give the design strength, U , of selected shapes for various effective
length, KL, and for selected values of K . Go to the appropriate table with KL, using the
larger of and P Q .

Note 1: Ensure that the slenderness ratio for the member is not greater than 200, that is,
.
Note 2: Check that local buckling will not occur, and if local buckling limits are not
satisfied, modify the critical buckling stress, using AISC Equations (E7-2 and
(E7-3).

a) If 82<5 $$$$ tw$$K 4288VK , then

K B V ,42;9=- K ( AISC Equation E7-2)

b) If C 82<5 $$$$ tw$$K A 4288VK , then

K B 42=<<K ( AISC Equation E7-3)

Where , elastic critical buckling stress, calculated using
" AISC Equations E3-4 and E4-4 for doubly symmetric members.
" AISC Equations E3-4 and E4-5 for singly symmetric members.
" AISC Equation E4-6 for unsymmetrical members, except for single angles where
is calculated by E3-4.
Q=1.0 for members with compact and non-compact sections, as defined in AISC Section
B4, for uniformly compressed elements.
= for members with slender element section, as define in AISC Section B4, for
uniformly compressed elements.
Note 3: Use column load tables ( i.e. the available sections are listed in these tables, but
these are typically the most commonly used for building construction.

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Note 4: AISC Equations (E3-2), (E3-3), and (E3-4) can be used in all cases for column
shapes that have no slender elements.
# Column Analysis Using the AISC Equations

Example (4-2): Calculate the design compressive strength of a W12x65 column, 20-ft
long, and pinned at both ends. Use ASTM A572 steel.
Solution:
Q B Q B 64$ky
K= 1.0
K B 94$pxn
F B 5>25$ns
Obtain the smallest radius of gyration, r, for W12x65 from AISC part 1.
B 926=$$ns, and
B 7246$$ns Use the smaller value, since KL is the same for both axes,
PQ ,5-,64-,56-
B B <>29$ A 644$$$$$TP
w 7246
" Check the slenderness criteria for compression elements:
g B 56$ns$ g B B ;$ns
y B 42;49$ns
y B 427>$ns
m B i 6p 2 B 5625 6,526- B >2<$ns
Note: 2 , used for design, is smaller than 2, used for detailing.
g J ; 6>444
429; @$ B >2>6 A 429; B 5728=$$TP
y K 42;49 94

m J >2< 6>444
528> @$ B 682== A 528> B 792==$$TP
y K 427> 94
Determine the flexural buckling stress, :
J 6>444
82<5 B 82<5 B 55728
K 94
Since B <>29 A 55728, use AISC Equation E3-2 to determine .
J ,6>444-
K B B B 8927$pxn
,PQ w- ,<>29-

5;