Steel and Timber Design
Lecture
Module 3:
Axially Loaded
Compression Members
Engr. Vuangh Erick B. Barrantes, MSc
Instructor
Introduction
Compression members are structural
elements that are subjected to axial
compressive forces; that is, the loads are
applied along a longitudinal axis through
the centroid of the member cross section.
The stress can be taken as:
f = P/A
Where f is considered to be uniform over
the entire cross section.
Engr. Vuangh Erick B. Barrantes, MSc
Introduction
The most common type of compression
member occurring in buildings and bridges
is the column, a vertical member whose
primary function is to support vertical loads.
Engr. Vuangh Erick B. Barrantes, MSc
Introduction
Consider the long, slender compression member as
shown in Figure 4.1(a). This type of column sometime
is called “Long Column”
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
dashed line.
The member is said to have buckled, and the
corresponding load is called the critical buckling
load
Engr. Vuangh Erick B. Barrantes, MSc
Introduction
If the member is stocker (short column), as shown
in Figure 4.1(b), a larger load will be required to bring
the member to the point of instability.
For extremely stocky members, failure may occur by
compressive yielding rather than buckling. Prior to
failure, the compressive stress P/A will be uniform
over the cross section at any point along the length,
whether the failure is by yielding or by buckling.
Engr. Vuangh Erick B. Barrantes, MSc
Euler’s Column Buckling Theory
If the member is so slender that the stress just before buckling is below the
proportional limit – that is, the member is still elastic. The critical buckling load is
given by:
Where: E is the Modulus of Elasticity
I is the moment of Inertia
L is the length of the member between points of support.
Assuming that the member must be Elastic, free to rotate but not translate
laterally. Engr. Vuangh Erick B. Barrantes, MSc
Euler’s Column Buckling Theory
The Euler Critical Stress (hinge at both ends)
Where: r is the radius of gyration (mm)
L/r is Slenderness ratio
Note: The modulus of elasticity, E implies that the equation above is valid as long as
the stress remains in the elastic region.
Engr. Vuangh Erick B. Barrantes, MSc
Euler’s Column Buckling Theory
The slenderness ratio (L/r) is a dimensionless quantity used in structural
engineering to describe the likelihood of a column or compression member to buckle
under axial load. It provides a measure of the column's relative length compared to its
cross-sectional dimensions.
Interpretation:
A higher slenderness ratio indicates a longer and more slender column, which is more
prone to buckling.
A lower slenderness ratio indicates a shorter and stouter column, which is less likely to
buckle.
Engr. Vuangh Erick B. Barrantes, MSc
Euler’s Column Buckling Theory
Engr. Vuangh Erick B. Barrantes, MSc
Euler’s Column Buckling Theory
Engr. Vuangh Erick B. Barrantes, MSc
Effective Length
Real columns do not have pin-connected ends. The restraints placed on column’s ends
greatly affects its stability. To counter these effects, an effective length factor, K, is
used to modify the unbraced length.
The product KL is called the effective length of column.
KL/r is the slenderness ratio.
Engr. Vuangh Erick B. Barrantes, MSc
Effective Length
Engr. Vuangh Erick B. Barrantes, MSc
Effective Length
Engr. Vuangh Erick B. Barrantes, MSc
Compressive Strength for Flexural Buckling of Member
For compression members with compact and non-compact sections, the nominal
compressive strength, Pn, shall be determined based on the limit state of flexural
buckling.
Engr. Vuangh Erick B. Barrantes, MSc
Compressive Strength for Flexural Buckling of Member
The flexural buckling stress, Fcr , is determine as follows:
Engr. Vuangh Erick B. Barrantes, MSc
Compressive Strength for Flexural Buckling of Member
The flexural buckling stress, Fcr , is determine as follows:
Engr. Vuangh Erick B. Barrantes, MSc
Compressive Strength for Flexural Buckling of Member
The flexural buckling stress, Fcr , is determine as follows:
Engr. Vuangh Erick B. Barrantes, MSc
Sample Problem
1. A W250x80 is used as a pin-
connected column. Determine the
column’s critical or buckling load
if the column length is
(a) 6.5m
(b) 4.5m
Assume that the steel has a
proportional limit of 248 MPa
Engr. Vuangh Erick B. Barrantes, MSc
Sample Problem
1. A W250x80 is used as a pin-
connected column. Determine the
column’s critical or buckling load
if the column length is
(a) 6.5m
(b) 4.5m
Assume that the steel has a
proportional limit of 248 MPa
Engr. Vuangh Erick B. Barrantes, MSc
Sample Problem
1. A W250x80 is used as a pin-
connected column. Determine the
column’s critical or buckling load
if the column length is
(a) 6.5m
(b) 4.5m
Assume that the steel has a
proportional limit of 248 MPa
Engr. Vuangh Erick B. Barrantes, MSc
Sample Problem
2. A W300x75 is used a column with
unsupported length of L. The column
is fixed at the bottom and pinned on
top. Calculate the LRFD design
strength and ASD allowable strength
of the column when
(a) L = 3m
(b) L =6m
Use Fy = 345 MPa
Engr. Vuangh Erick B. Barrantes, MSc
Sample Problem
2. A W300x75 is used a column with
unsupported length of L. The column
is fixed at the bottom and pinned on
top. Calculate the LRFD design
strength and ASD allowable strength
of the column when
(a) L = 3m
(b) L =6m
Use Fy = 345 MPa
Engr. Vuangh Erick B. Barrantes, MSc
Sample Problem
2. A W300x75 is used a column with
unsupported length of L. The column
is fixed at the bottom and pinned on
top. Calculate the LRFD design
strength and ASD allowable strength
of the column when
(a) L = 3m
(b) L =6m
Use Fy = 345 MPa
Engr. Vuangh Erick B. Barrantes, MSc
Sample Problem
3. Four plates 10mm x 150mm are welded
together to form a box compression
member as shown. The effective length of
the member is KL = 4m. If the service
axial load of the member is 400 kN,
compute the maximum service axial live
load that can be supported. Use Fy = 250
MPa
Engr. Vuangh Erick B. Barrantes, MSc
Sample Problem
3. Four plates 10mm x 150mm are welded
together to form a box compression
member as shown. The effective length of
the member is KL = 4m. If the service
axial load of the member is 400 kN,
compute the maximum service axial live
load that can be supported. Use Fy = 250
MPa
Engr. Vuangh Erick B. Barrantes, MSc
