1

Chapter 3
Section 2: Columns in Simple
Construction
Columns in Simple Construction
Connections are assumed not to develop significant
moments adversely affecting either the members or
the structure as a whole.
The beams may be designed as simply supported.
The columns are designed to carry axial loads as well
as nominal moments from the reaction shear of the
beam, applied at the appropriate eccentricity.
Columns must be fully continuous.
It is assumed that sidesway due to horizontal loading
is prevented by inserting bracing or by utilising shear
walls, lift or staircase closures, acting together with
shear resistance of the floor slab.
2
Joints in Simple
Construction
(a) Web Cleats (b) End Plate (c) Fin Plates
100 mm
Simple Construction
Lift Shaft
or stair well
3
Simple Braced Frame
Simple Construction
No need to consider pattern loading
Assume all beams at any one level to
be fully loaded
Must consider eccentricity of loading
4
No need to consider pattern loading
as shown below
Buckling Capacity
1 + +
y y
y
bs
x
c
c
Z p
M
M
M
P
F
Based on min. (P
cx
or P
cy
)

LT
= 0.5L/r
y
m
LT
= 1.0 m
y
= 1.0
Local capacity check is not required
Nominal moments
5
Nominal moments
Moment = R x (D/2 + 100mm)
R
100mm
D
t/2
Moment = R x (t/2 + 100mm)
R
100mm
t
D/2
D is the depth of the column t is the thickness of the web
R1
R3
R2
M
x
=R
2
(D/2+100)
M
y
=R
1
(t/2+100)
R
3
(t/2+100)
6
Column Moments
The applied moment is divided between the
column lengths above and below in
proportion to the stiffness (I/L)
If the stiffness ratio 1.5, the moment may be
divided equally
m=1
The moments have no effects at levels above
and below
Upper column stiffness = I/4
Lower column stiffness = 2I/5
Stiffness ratio =
Example
4m
5m
A
2I
I
A M
M
M
u
l
beam
beam
beam
5 . 1 6 . 1
4 / I
5 / I 2
> =
M 385 . 0 M
5 / I 2 4 / I
4 / I
M
u
=
+
=
M 615 . 0 M
5 / I 2 4 / I
5 / I 2
M
l
=
+
=
*Note: If column stiffness ratio is less than 1.5, then
M
l
= M
u
= 0.5M
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Buckling Resistance
Where LTB does not need
to be considered M
bs
=M
c
In other cases M
bs
is
calculated according to
clause 4.3.6.4 using

LT
=0.5 L / r
y
1 + +
y y
y
bs
x
c
c
Z p
M
M
M
P
F
Design Procedure
Calculate beam reactions
Calculate moment due to eccentricity
Divide moment between column lengths
Check
1 + +
y y
y
bs
x
c
c
Z p
M
M
M
P
F
8
Braced Core to provide lateral stability
UE SQUARE
18 Storey office buildin
Steel weight =1800 to
Castellated beams
Composite slab
9
CUPPAGE CENTRE
(STARHUB CENTRE)
Completed in 1998
Rebuilt 10-Storey
building
Steel weight =3000 tons
Composite beam
Encased composite
column
Composite slab
Simple construction
Core wall with addition
steel braces for lateral
stability
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Cuppage Centre
Simple connection
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Floor
Diaphragm
Rigid Floor Diaphragm
12
EXAMPLE