COMPRESSION

MEMBERS
Axially Loaded Compression Members
A column is a compression member that is so slender compared to the
length that usually it fails by buckling rather than by crushing.

Classification of Columns
1.  Short Column
For short columns, the failure will be by crushing and no buckling will occur.
2.  Intermediate Columns
For intermediate columns, some of the fibers will reach the yield stress and
the members will fail by a combination of crushing and buckling nd the their
behavior is said to be elastic.
3.  Long Columns
For long columns, the axial buckling stress usually remains below the
proportional limit and the column will usually buckle elastically. Long
columns usually fail by buckling or excessive lateral bending. The longer
the column is, the greater its tendency to buckle and the smaller load it will
support. The tendency of a member to buckle is usually measured by its
slenderness ratio which is defined as the ratio of the length of the member
to its least radius of gyration. The greater the slenderness ratio, the smaller
will be the capacity of such column.
Common Sections used for Columns
Common Sections used for Columns
Eulers Formula

π 2 EI
P= 2
L
Case 1: Fixed Ends

π 2 EI
P= 2
( Le )
π 2 EI
P= 2
!L$
# &
"2%

4π 2 EI
P=
L2
Eulers Formula

Case 2: One end fixed, the other end hinged

π 2 EI
P= 2
( e)
L

π 2 EI
P= 2
(0.7L )

2π 2 EI
P=
L2
Eulers Formula

Case 3: Hinged ends

π 2 EI
P= 2
L
Eulers Formula

Case 4: One end fixed, the other free

π 2 EI
P= 2
Le
π 2 EI
P= 2
(2L )
π 2 EI
P=
4L2
Limitations Eulers Formula

P
If exceeds the proportional lim it, the Eulers formulas is not applicable
A

L
If < 100, the Eulers formula is not valid and the proportional lim it
r
P
is the critical stress. = proportional lim it
A
Relations between Short, Intermediate and Long Columns

P
is the critical stress. = proportional lim it
A

Empirical values of short and long columns for Eulers formula

The initial compressive force of a steel column can be
determined by using π 2 EI
Pe = 2
( Le )
Properties of the column The x-axis has an unbraced length
A = 8,129 mm2 of 8 m which is pinned at the top
Ix = 178.3x106 mm4 and fixed at the bottom with K =
Iy = 18.8x106 mm4 0.70 to prevent sidesway. The y-
Fy = 345 MPa axis has an unbraced length of 4 m
E = 200,000 MPa due to the bracing at the mid-
height.
Proportional limit: fs = 320 MPa

A.  Determine the critical slenderness ratio.

B.  Compute the initial compressive load of the column.
C.  What is the minimum length that will not exceed the
proportional limit?
A.  Determine the critical slenderness ratio.
Iy
ry =
A
18.8x10 6
ry =
8,129
ry = 48.09 mm

Ix
rx =
A
178.3x10 6
ry =
8,129
rx = 148.10 mm
A.  Determine the critical slenderness ratio.

L 4, 000(1)
= = 83.18
ry 48.09

L 4, 000(0.7)
= = 58.22
ry 48.09

L 8, 000(0.7)
= = 37.81
rx 148.10

L
Critical = 83.18
r
B.  Initial compressive load of the column.
π 2 EI Pe = 2, 319, 357 N
Pe = 2
( Le ) Pe = 2.319 kN
π 2 (200, 000)(18.8)(10)6
Pe = 2
( 4, 000 )
C.  Min length of column so that it will not exceed the proportional
limit
Pcr = A x proportional lim it π 2 EI
Pcr = 2
Pcr = A fs L
π 2 (200, 000)(18.8)(10)6
Pcr = 8,129(320) 2, 601, 280 =
L2
Pcr = 2, 601.28 kN L = 3, 777 mm
L = 3.78 m
A W250 x 73 is to serve as a pin-ended 12 m long column is
braced at mid-length with respect to weak axis. The proportional
limit is 235 MPa.

Properties of W250x73 A.  Determine the slenderness

A = 9,820 mm2 ratio with respect to y-axis.
d = 253 mm B.  Determine the Eulers
bf = 254 mm buckling stress
tf = 14.2 C.  Determine the allowable
rx = 110 mm axial compressive load using
ry = 64.7 mm a factor of safety of 2.5.
Ix = 113 x106 mm4
Iy = 38.8x106 mm4
A.  Slenderness ratio with respect to y-axis.

kL
r
kL 1(6, 000)
=
r 64.7

kL
= 92.74
r
B.  Euler’s Buckling Stress
kL
r
kL 1(12, 000)
=
r 110

kL
= 109.09 > 92.74
r
l
Use = 109.09
r 2
π E 2
Fe = π (200, 000)
! L $ Fe =
2
2
# &
"r%
(109.09 )

Fe = 165.87 MPa < 235 MPa

C.  Allowable axial compressive load using a factor of safety of
2.5.

Pe = Fe A

Pe = (165.87)(9, 280)

Pe = 1, 539, 274 N

Pe = 1, 539 kN

Pe
P=
FS
1, 539.3
P=
2.5
P = 615.72 kN
Two C310 x 45 channels are latticed together so they have
equal moments of inertia about the principal axes. Assumed
both ends are pinned and proportional limit is 240 MPa, E =
200,000 MPa.
A.  Compute the distance back to the channel.
B.  Compute the minimum length of a column having this section.
C.  What safe load will the column carry for a length of 12 m with
a factor of safety of 2.5.

Properties of C310 x 45
A = 5,690 mm2
x = 17 mm
rx = 109 mm
ry = 19.32 mm
Ix = 67.3 x106 mm4
Iy = 2.12x106 mm4
A.  Distance back of channel
I Y = Io + Ad 2
I Y = !"2.12(10)6 + 5, 690(k)2 #$ 2

134.6(10)6 = !"2.12(10)6 + 5, 690(k)2 #$ 2

k = 107.03 mm
b
+17 = 107.03
2
For 2 channels b = 180.06 mm
Ix = Iy
I X = 2(67.3)(10)6
I X = 134.6x10 6 mm 4
 B.  Minimum length
P
= proportional lim it
A
P
= 240
2(5, 690)
P = 2, 731.2 kN

π 2 EI
P= 2
L
π 2 (200, 000)(134.6)(10)6
2, 731, 200 =
L2
L = 9,863 mm
L = 9.86 m
C.  Safe load of 12 m length of column with factor of safety of 2.5.
Ix
rx =
A P π 2 (200, 000)
= 2
2(134.6)(10)6 2(5, 690) (110.09 )
rx =
2(5, 690)
P = 1,854 kN
rx = 109 mm
1,854
Safe Load =
L 12, 000 2.5
= = 110.09
r 109
Safe Load = 741.6 kN
P π 2E
=
A ! L $2
# &
"r%