NCCI: Verification of columns in simple construction- a simplified interaction criterion

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NCCI: Verification of columns in simple construction – a

simplified interaction criterion
This NCCI proposes a new expression for the verification of columns that will avoid the
calculation of “k” factors in Annexes A and B of EN 1993-1-1.

Contents
1. Simplified interaction criterion 2

2. Background: derivation of simplified expression from EN 1993-1-1, Annex B 2

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1. Simplified interaction criterion

For the design of columns in the following situations:

‰ The column is a hot rolled I or H section, or rectangular hollow section,

‰ The cross section is class 1, 2 or 3 under compression,
‰ The bending moment diagrams about each axis are linear,
‰ The column is restrained laterally in both the y and z directions at each floor but is
unrestrained between floors;
The following expression may be used to verify the member:

N Ed M y,Ed M z,Ed
+ + 1.5 ≤1
N min,b,Rd M y,b,Rd M z,cb,Rd

This expression may be used within the limitations on ψ value given in section 2.2.5. This
expression is a simplified version of expression (6.62) in section 6.3.3 of EN1993-1-1. In
deriving this expression kzy has been taken as 1.0 and kzz has been taken as 1.5. The
parameters in this expression are as follows:

NEd, My,Ed, Mz,Ed are as defined in EN1993-1-1 section 6.3.3.

χy fy A χz fy A
Nmin,b,Rd is the lesser of and .
γ M1 γ M1

f y W pl
My,b,Rd is equal to χ LT .
γ M1

f y W pl
Mz,cb,Rd is given by M z,cb,Rd = , which is the same as the design value of the bending
γ M1
f y W pl
resistance of the cross section Mc,Rd (= ) when γM1 = γM0.
γ M0

2. Background: derivation of simplified

expression from EN 1993-1-1, Annex B
2.1 Design expressions in EN 1993-1-1
Designing columns to EN 1993-1-1 requires verification according to expressions 6.61 and
6.62, given in clause 6.3.3(4) as shown below:
N Ed M y,Ed + ΔM y,Ed M z,Ed + ΔM z,Ed
+ k yy + k yz ≤1 (6.61)
χ y N Rk M y,Rk M z,Rk
χ LT
γ M1 γ M1 γ M1

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N Ed M y,Ed + ΔM y,Ed M z,Ed + ΔM z,Ed

+ k zy + k zz ≤1 (6.62)
χ z N Rk M y,Rk M z,Rk
χ LT
γ M1 γ M1 γ M1
For Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 cross sections, ΔM y,Ed = ΔM z,Ed = 0 .

N y,Rk N z,Rk M y,Rk M z,Rk

Writing χ y as N y,b,Rd , χ z as N z,b,Rd , χ LT as M y,b,Rd and as
γ M1 γ M1 γ M1 γ M1
M z,cb,Rd , equations 6.61 and 6.62 become:

N Ed M y,Ed M z,Ed
+ k yy + k yz ≤1 (ex 6.61)
N y,b,Rd M y,b,Rd M z,cb,Rd

N Ed M y,Ed M z,Ed
+ k zy + k zz ≤1 (ex 6.62)
N z,b,Rd M y,b,Rd M z,cb,Rd

2.2 Simplification
The determination of interaction factors “k” is made using Annex A and Annex B of
EN1993-1-1. The values of these factors are often difficult to determine, especially when
using Annex A. In order to avoid the time-consuming calculation of these factors, a simplified
expression derived from (ex 6.61) and (ex 6.62) is needed.

The simplified expression should use specific values for the interaction parameters that will
be conservative over the practical range of bending of columns. For reasons discussed below,
the chosen values are:

kyy = kzy = 1.0 and

kyz = kzz = 1.5.

The range of bending moment diagram for which these values are valid is examined below.

Because the same values are chosen for kyy and kzy, and for kyz and kzz, the use of a single
expression is justified because with restraints at the same level in both directions, Nz,b,Rd will
always be less than Ny,b,Rd. The expression in Section 1 therefore uses only Nz,b,Rd , which it
refers to simply as Nb,Rd.

2.2.1 Use of kyy = 1.0

For Class 1 and 2 sections:

The value of kyy is given by Table B.2 and Table B.1.

⎛ ⎞
(
k yy = C my ⎜ 1 + λ y − 0.2
⎜
N Ed
) ⎟
⎟
⎝ N y,b,Rd ⎠

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⎛ N Ed ⎞
but for plastic properties, k yy ≤ C my ⎜⎜1 + 0.8 ⎟
⎟
⎝ N y,b,Rd ⎠

N Ed
For valid design situations, ≤ 1 , hence k yy ≤ C my (1 + 0.8 × 1 ) = 1.8 C my
N y,b,Rd

1.0
Therefore, k yy ≤ 1.0 when C my ≤ = 0.556
1.8

From Table B.3 for straight-line bending moment diagrams, C my = 0.6 + 0.4ψ y (but ≥ 0.4)

0.556 − 0.6 − 0.044

Therefore 0.6 + 0.4ψ y ≤ 0.556 ⇒ ψ y ≤ = = −0.11
0.4 0.4

Therefore, using kyy = 1.0 is safe for ψ y ≤ −0.11

For the case where the member is pin-ended (ψy = 0 and thus Cmy = 0.6), the use of kyy = 1
will still be safe if a lower limit to the value of NEd/Ny,b,Rd applies:

⎛ ⎞
0.6⎜1 + 0.8
N Ed ⎟ ≤ 1.0 and thus N Ed ≤ 1.0 − 0.6 = 0.83
⎜ N y,b,Rd ⎟ N y,b,Rd 0.48
⎝ ⎠

For Class 3 sections:

Table B.2 says that kyy should be found from Table B.1

Table B.1 gives:

⎛ N Ed ⎞
k yy = C my ⎜ 1 + 0.6 λ y ⎟
⎜ N y,b,Rd ⎟
⎝ ⎠

⎛ N Ed ⎞
but for elastic properties, k yy ≤ C my ⎜ 1 + 0.6 ⎟
⎜ N y,b,Rd ⎟
⎝ ⎠

N Ed
Because ≤ 1 , k yy ≤ C my (1 + 0.6 × 1 ) = 1.6 C my
N y,b,Rd

k yy 1.0
Therefore, for k yy ≤ 1.0 , C my = ≤ = 0.625
1.6 1.6

From Table B.3 for straight-line bending moment diagrams, C my = 0.6 + 0.4ψ y ≥ 0.4

0.625 − 0.6 0.025

Therefore 0.625 ≥ 0.6 + 0.4ψ y ⇒ψ y ≤ = = 0.0625
0.4 0.4
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Therefore, kyy = 1.0 is valid for ψ y ≤ 0.0625

2.2.2 Use of kyz = 1.5

I and H sections

For Class 1 and 2 sections:

Table B.2 says that kyz should be found from Table B.1

Table B.1 gives kyz = 0.6kzz,

Therefore:

⎛ ⎞
(
k yz = 0.6 C mz ⎜ 1 + 2 λ z − 0.6
⎜
N Ed
) ⎟
⎟
⎝ N z,b,Rd ⎠

⎛ N Ed ⎞
but for plastic properties of I and H sections, k yz ≤ 0.6 C mz ⎜ 1 + 1.4 ⎟
⎜ N z,b,Rd ⎟
⎝ ⎠

N Ed
For ≤ 1 , k yz ≤ 0.6 C mz (1 + 1.4 × 1 ) = 1.44 C mz
N z,b,Rd

k yz 1.5
For k yz ≤ 1.5 , C mz = ≤ = 1.04
1.44 1.44

From Table B.3 for straight-line bending moment diagrams, C mz = 0.6 + 0.4ψ z ≥ 0 .4

And − 1 ≤ ψ ≤ 1

Therefore kyz = 1.5 is valid for all cases

RHS sections

Table B.2 says that kyz should be found from Table B.1

Table B.1 gives kyz = 0.6kzz,

Therefore:

⎛ ⎞
(
k yz = 0.6 C mz ⎜ 1 + λ z − 0.2
⎜
N Ed
) ⎟
⎟
⎝ N z,b,Rd ⎠

⎛ N Ed ⎞
but for plastic properties of RHS sections, k yz ≤ 0.6 C mz ⎜ 1 + 0.8 ⎟
⎜ ⎟
⎝ N z,b,Rd ⎠

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N Ed
For ≤ 1 , k yz ≤ 0.6 C mz (1 + 0.8 × 1 ) = 1.08 C mz
N z,b,Rd

k yz 1.5
For k yz ≤ 1.5 , C mz = ≤ = 1.389
1.08 1.08

From Table B.3 for straight-line bending moment diagrams, C mz = 0.6 + 0.4ψ z ≥ 0 .4

And − 1 ≤ ψ ≤ 1

Therefore kyz = 1.5 is valid for all cases

For Class 3 sections:

Table B.1 gives kyz = kzz,

Therefore for elastic properties of RHS sections, :

⎛ N Ed ⎞
k yz = C mz ⎜ 1 + 0.6 λ z
⎟
⎜ ⎟
⎝ N z,b,Rd ⎠

⎛ N Ed ⎞
k yz ≤ C mz ⎜ 1 + 0.6 ⎟
⎜ ⎟
⎝ N z,b,Rd ⎠

N Ed
≤ 1 , k yz ≤ C mz (1 + 0.6 × 1 ) = 1.6 C mz
N z,b,Rd

k yz 1.5
For k yz ≤ 1.5 , C mz = ≤ = 0.938
1.6 1.6

From Table B.3 for straight-line bending moment diagrams, C mLT = 0.6 + 0.4ψ ≥ 0.4

0.938 − 0.6 0.338

Therefore 0.938 ≥ 0.6 + 0.4ψ ⇒ ψ z ≤ = = 0.845
0.4 0.4

Therefore kyz = 1.5 forψ z ≤ 0.845

2.2.3 Use of kzy = 1.0

For Class 1 and 2 sections:

From Table B.2, for plastic sections:

⎡ 0.1λ z N Ed ⎤ ⎡ 0.1 N Ed ⎤
k zy = ⎢1 − ⎥ but ≥ ⎢1 − ⎥ , so that kzy is less than 1.0
⎢⎣ ( C m,LT − 0.25) N z,b,Rd ⎥⎦ ⎢⎣ ( C m,LT − 0.25 ) N z,b,Rd ⎥⎦

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Therefore kyz = 1.0 is valid for all cases.

For Class 3 sections:

From Table B.2, for elastic sections:

⎡ 0.05 λ z N Ed ⎤ ⎡ 0.05 N Ed ⎤
⎢1 − ⎥ but ≥ ⎢ 1 − ⎥ , so that kzy is less than 1.0
⎢⎣ ( C m,LT − 0.25 ) N z,b,Rd ⎥⎦ ⎢⎣ ( C m,LT − 0.25 ) N z,b,Rd ⎥⎦

Therefore kzy = 1.0 is valid for all cases.

2.2.4 Use of kzz = 1.5

I and H sections

For Class 1 and 2 sections:

Table B.2 says that kzz should be found from Table B.1

Table B.1 gives kzz for plastic I and H sections:

⎛ ⎞
(
C mz ⎜ 1 + 2 λ z − 0.6
⎜
)
N Ed ⎟
⎟
⎝ N z,b,Rd ⎠

⎛ N Ed ⎞
≤ C mz ⎜ 1 + 1.4 ⎟
⎜ ⎟
⎝ N z,b,Rd ⎠

N Ed
For ≤ 1 , k zz ≤ C mz (1 + 1.4 × 1 ) = 2.4 C mz
N z,b,Rd

k zz 1.5
For k zz ≤ 1.5 , C mz = ≤ = 0.625
2.4 2.4

From Table B.3 for straight-line bending moment diagrams, C mz = 0.6 + 0.4ψ ≥ 0.4

0.625 − 0.6 0.025

Therefore 0.625 ≥ 0.6 + 0.4ψ ⇒ ψ z ≤ = = 0.0625
0.4 0.4

Therefore kzz = 1.5 forψ z ≤ 0.0625

RHS sections

Table B.1 gives kzz for plastic RHS sections:

⎛ ⎞
(
k zz = C mz ⎜ 1 + λ z − 0.2
⎜
N Ed
) ⎟
⎟
⎝ N z,b,Rd ⎠

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⎛ N Ed ⎞
but k zz ≤ C mz ⎜ 1 + 0.8 ⎟
⎜ ⎟
⎝ N z,b,Rd ⎠

N Ed
For ≤ 1 , k zz ≤ C mz (1 + 0.8 × 1 ) = 1.8 C mz
N z,b,Rd

k yz 1.5
For k yz ≤ 1.5 , C mz = ≤ = 0.833
1.8 1.8

From Table B.3 for straight-line bending moment diagrams, C mz = 0.6 + 0.4ψ z ≥ 0 .4

0.833 − 0.6 0.233

Therefore 0.833 ≥ 0.6 + 0.4ψ y ⇒ψ y ≤ = = 0.583
0.4 0.4

Therefore, kyz = 1.5 is valid for ψ z ≤ 0.583

For Class 3 sections:

Table B.1 gives for elastic sections kzz:

⎛ N Ed ⎞
k zz = C mz ⎜ 1 + 0.6 λ z ⎟
⎜ ⎟
⎝ N z,b,Rd ⎠

⎛ N Ed ⎞
k zz ≤ C mz ⎜ 1 + 0.6 ⎟
⎜ ⎟
⎝ N z,b,Rd ⎠

N Ed
≤ 1 , k zz ≤ C mz (1 + 0.6 × 1 ) = 1.6 C mz
N z,b,Rd

k zz 1.5
For k zz ≤ 1.5 , C mz = ≤ = 0.938
1.6 1.6

From Table B.3 for straight-line bending moment diagrams, C mLT = 0.6 + 0.4ψ ≥ 0.4

0.938 − 0.6 0.338

Therefore 0.938 ≥ 0.6 + 0.4ψ ⇒ ψ z ≤ = = 0.845
0.4 0.4

Therefore kzz = 1.5 forψ z ≤ 0.845

2.2.5 Summary of limitations for proposed factors

The following tables summarise the maximum Ψi values for the validation of the simplified
interaction formulae using specific values for the interaction parameters (i.e. kyy = kzy = 1.0
and kyz = kzz = 1.5).

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Table 2.1 ψi limits for validity of kyy = kzy = 1.0 and kyz = kzz = 1.5 for class 1 and 2 sections

I and H sections RHS

kyy = 1.0 -0.11 (see note) -0.11(see note)

kyz = 1.5 Valid for all cases Valid for all cases

kzy = 1.0 Valid for all cases Valid for all cases

kzz = 1.5 0.0625 0.583

Note: If the column is pin-ended (ψ = 0), the simplified expression is still valid with kyy = 1,0
if NEd/Ny,b,Rd ≤ 0,83. This limit will usually be easily achieved.

Table 2.2 ψi limits for validity of kyy = kyz = 1.0 and kyz = kzz = 1.5 for class 3 sections

I and H sections RHS

kyy = 1.0 0.0625 0.0625

kyz = 1.5 0.845 0.845

kzy = 1.0 Valid for all cases Valid for all cases

kzz = 1.5 0.845 0.845

2.2.6 Summary of parametric study

A parametric study has been conducted of columns using the following sections:
• HD 400 × 237
• HD 400 × 677
• HD 260 × 93
• HD 260 × 172
• UC 356 × 368 × 202
• UC 254 × 254 × 107
• UC 102 × 102 × 30
• HE 200B
• HE 340A
• IPE 330
• IPE 500
All the sections were analysed in lengths of 4 and 8 m, and using both S275 and S355 steel
grades.

The applied forces were increased for each section until all of them were in the critical load,
this is, until the sum of the three terms of the governing equation (whichever it was for each
particular case) was 1. This lead to the following range of loads:

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N Ed
• 0.725 ≤ ≤ 0.998
N b,Rd,z
M y,Ed
• 0 ≤ k zy ≤ 0.138
M y,b,Rd
M z,Ed
• 0 ≤ k zz ≤ 0.2737
M z,cb,Rd

This showed that for H-section columns with their height, h, approximately equal to their
breadth, b, the proposed equation is safe for (ψy,ψz) of (0,0); (0,-0.5); (-0.5,0); (-0.5,-0.5).

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