Compression Members III

George Tsiatas
 Effective Length, KL
Sometimes columns are stand-alone with
well defined boundary conditions.

In that case we can determine the

effective length factors from Fig. C-C2.1
Standalone columns
 Effective Length
But more frequently than
not, columns are part of
frameworks with not very
well defined boundary
conditions at their ends.

The boundary condition

at an end of the column
would depend on the
relative stiffness between
all the columns and
girders at that location.
 Braced vs Unbraced
One would need to first determine whether
the column is part of a braced or unbraced
structure.
An unbraced column sways laterally while
buckling.
In a braced column the end joints do not
move laterally while buckling.
Braced Frames
Braced Frame
 Relative stiffness
The relative rotational stiffness between
columns and beams at a joint is expressed
using the coefficient G

Ic The summation in the numerator

L includes all columns converging
G= c
at the joint. The summation in
Ig
L the denominator includes all
girders converging at the joint.
g
Consider column AB
 Effective Length Factor K
Determine whether column is braced or
unbraced
Calculate G for the two ends of the column
(GA, GB)
Use the appropriate nomograph from
AISC Commentary C2 to get K
Unbraced, K1
Braced, K1
 Effective length factor, K
2
G A G B G A + G B 2
+ 1 cot + tan 1 = 0 (1)
4 K 2 K K /K 2K

2

G A G B 6 (G A + G B ) cot 36 = 0 (2)
K K K

(1): Sidesway inhibited (braced)

(2): Sidesway uninhibited (unbraced)
 Supports
Gtheoretical Grecommended

Fixed Base 0 1
Pinned Base 10

The recommended values account for the fact that the

actual support conditions only approximate the ideal
fixity restraint.
 Calculating the G factors
In calculating the G factor for a
column end joint care must be taken
on the proper consideration of Ic and Ic
Ig. L
Typically, Ig = Ix since beams are G= c
Ig
positioned to bend about their strong
axis.
L
g
But Ic =Ix or Iy depending on the
orientation of the column and the
direction considered.
 Assumptions for Nomographs
Members are elastic, constant cross
section, connected with rigid joints

All columns buckle at the same time in a

symmetric pattern
 Elastic behavior
Columns buckle elastically with E, and beams bend
elastically with E.
The modulus of elasticity, E, cancels

4 EI c Ic

Column Stiffness columns Lc

columns Lc
G= = =
Girder Stiffness 4 EI g Ig

girders Lg

girders Lg
 Inelastic Behavior
Frequently columns buckle inelastically with
modulus ET. Beams bend elastically with
modulus E. In that case one can define G as:
4 Et I c Ic

column stiffness columns Lc

Et columns Lc
Ginelastic = = =
girder stiffness 4 EI g E Ig

girders L

girders Lg
g

Ginelastic = Gelastic
E
where = = Stiffness Reduction Factor (SRF)
E
 Stiffness Reduction Factor,
Pu
Et Fcr ,inelastic A
=
E Fcr ,elastic Fcr ,elastic

The SRF is tabulated in Part 4 of the Manual, p. 4-20,

Table 4-1 as a function of the Pu/A ratio for a column
 Built-up Columns

Two or more shapes

Can be close to each
other (double angles)
Can be at a distance
for higher loads (four
angles in cranes)
Built-up sections for columns
 No connection between the two
back-to-back sections

The two components resist loads independently from each other. Moment of inertia
of the combined section equals the sum of the I of the two components..
 Connected Components

For fully connected case section bends as a unit

Note the partially connected case
Partially connected elements

Connectors should
be spaced
sufficiently close so
that capacity is close
to fully connected
case.

Note that the two angles interact during bending

about the y-y axis but they bend independently
about the x-x axis
 Built-up sections
(KL/r)x is calculated the
usual way.
For buckling about the y
axis, the two angles
interact and one needs to
calculate a modified
(KL/r)y (KL/r)m
Connector spacing
should be limited so that
buckling of individual
angles is not critical
 Modified Slenderness
Snug-tight bolted intermediate connectors

2 2
KL KL a
= +
r m r 0 ri

Welded or fully-tensioned bolted intermediate

connectors
2 2
KL KL a
2
= + 0.82 2

r m r 0 (1 + ) rib
 Definitions
(KL/r)m: Modified slenderness for buckling mode that
introduces shear between connectors
(KL/r)o: Unmodified slenderness about that axis
a: connector spacing
ri: min radius of gyration of individual component
rib: radius of gyration of individual component
relative to its centroidal axis parallel to
member axis of buckling
: separation ratio = h/(2rib)
h: Distance between centroids of individual
components perpendicular to the member
axis of buckling
 Built-up Columns
Connector spacing should ensure that
slenderness of individual components should
satisfy:

KL 3 KL

ri 4 r governing for built -up member