Chapter 5 – Short Column
Classification of Columns
Columns can be conveniently classified into three broad categories
according to their modes of failure: -
1. Short Columns;
2. Intermediate Columns;
3. Long (Slender) Columns.
Short Columns
A short column will fail by crushing of the material if it is made of a brittle
material (e.g. concrete) or by yielding if it is made of a ductile material (e.g.
structural steel) at compressive stresses in the inelastic range. As crushing
and yielding are material failures, the maximum axial load a short column
can support is determined directly by the strength of the material.
Long Columns
A long column (a slender column) will fail by elastic buckling. This
buckling occurs at compressive stresses within the elastic range. Buckling
of a column may be described as a bending action developed under
compressive load.
Intermediate Columns
An intermediate column lies between these two extremes. Most columns
are in the intermediate category. An intermediate column will fail by
inelastic buckling initiated when a localized yielding occurs at some point
of weakness or crookedness. This failure mode is a combination of
buckling and material failure. The design and analysis of intermediate
columns is much more complex and will NOT be covered here.
Page 5-1
Chapter 5 – Short Column
Types of Columns
Page 5-2
Chapter 5 – Short Column
Simple Formulae of Moment of Inertia of Commonly Used Sections
Rectangular Section:
BD 3 DB 3
I xx , I yy
12 12
Y
B
D
X X
Rectangular Hollow Section:
BD 3 bd 3 DB 3 db 3
I xx , I yy
12 12 12 12
Y
B
b
D
X X
d
Page 5-3
Chapter 5 – Short Column
Circular Section:
D 4
I xx I yy
64
Circular Hollow Section:
I xx I yy
D4 d 4
64
D
d
I – Section:
BD 3 B t d
3
TB 3 dt 3
I xx , I yy *2
12 12 12 12
Y B
T
D t
X d X
T
Y
Page 5-4
Chapter 5 – Short Column
Eccentric Load
Statically, an eccentric load can be replaced by a concentric load with a
bending moment or bending moments.
Eccentricity from x-x axis only (uniaxial bending)
This eccentric load can be replaced by a concentric load P with bending
moment Mxx = P*ey
Y Y
P Mxx =Pey
ey P
X D X X X
Y Y
B B
Eccentricity from y-y axis only (uniaxial bending)
This eccentric load can be replaced by a concentric load P with bending
moment Myy = P*ex
Y Y
Myy =Pex
ex
P
P
X D X X X
Y Y
B B
Page 5-5
Chapter 5 – Short Column
Eccentricities from x-x and y-y axes (biaxial bending)
This eccentric load can be replaced by a concentric load P with bending
moments Mxx = P*ey and Myy = P*ex.
Y Y
Myy =Pex
ex
P Mxx =Pey
ey P
X D X X X
Y Y
B B
Combined Stresses Caused by an Eccentric Load about One Axis
Y Y
Myy =Pex
A B A B
ex
P
P
X d X X X
C D C D
b Y b Y
Page 5-6
Chapter 5 – Short Column
P ex
Side view of short column
AC BD
c c
b
c= -P/A Axial stress due to
concentric load P
b= + Pex c/I Bending stress due to
bending moment P*e x
b= - Pex c/I
= -P/A - Pe xc/I = -P/A + Pe xc/I Combined stress
(Comp.) (Tension) Case 1:
(Pe x c/I > P/A)
= -P/A - Pe xc/I
(Comp.)
= -P/A + Pe x c/I Combined stress
(Compression) Case 2:
(Pe x c/I < P/A)
= -P/A - Pe xc/I 0
(Comp.) Combined stress
Case 3:
(Pe x c/I = P/A)
Combined Stresses Caused by an Eccentric Load about Two Axes
The combined stresses caused by an eccentric load about two axes are very
similar to that of ONE axis, except that one has to superimpose the bending
stresses induced by the two bending moments in the combined stresses
calculations.
Page 5-7
Chapter 5 – Short Column
“Kern” (or “Core”) of a Section
The “kern” (or core) of a cross-section is a small area surrounding the
centroid. If an axial compressive force is inside the kern area, it will
produce only compressive stresses in the cross-section. There will be no
tensile stresses in the cross-section.
The concept of a kern area is particular relevant for materials which are
weak in tension, e.g. concrete, stone and for which it is desirable to avoid
tensile stresses.
For rectangular sections, the historical expression is the middle third rule.
In the design of masonry structures, the design intent is to keep the load
inside the middle third to avoid tensile stresses (which masonry cannot
withstand).
Middle Third
D/3 D
B/3
Eccentric loading of rectangular sections - "Middle Third"
Middle Quarter
D/4
Eccentric loading of circular sections: - "Middle Quarter"
Page 5-8
Chapter 5 – Short Column
FORMULAE FOR CALCULATING COMBINED STRESSES
Sign Convention
Tensile stress: +ve; Compressive stress: -ve
Subject to Axial Load and Bending Moment Mxx
P M xx y
A I xx
Subject to Axial Load and Bending Moment Myy
P M yy x
A I yy
Subject to Axial Load and Bending Moments Mxx and Myy
P M xx y M yy x
A I xx I yy
Page 5-9
Chapter 5 – Short Column
Example 1
A rectangular timber post is subjected to an eccentric load P of 100 kN
(compression) as shown in the figure. The eccentricity of the load from y-y
axis is 60 mm. The dimension of the timber post is b = 100 mm and d = 200
mm. Calculate the combined stresses in the extreme fibers on the right and
the left sides of the post.
Solution:
The moment of inertia Iyy = 100*2003 / 12 = 6.667*107 mm4
Bending moment due to eccentric load, Myy = P*e = 100*0.06 = 6 kNm
Axial stress due to concentric load P: -
axial = -P/A = -100*103 / (100*200)
= - 5 N/mm2
Max. bending stress due to bending moment Myy: -
M yy c 6 x10 6 x100
bending = 9.0 N/mm 2
I yy 6.67 x10 7
On the right hand side, the combined stress:-
= -5 –9 = -14 N/mm2 (Compression)
On the left hand side, the combined stress:-
= -5 +9 = +4 N/mm2 (Tension)
Page 5-10
Chapter 5 – Short Column
Example 2
A compressive force of 200 kN acts at B at an eccentricity of 50 mm along
y-y axis of the short column as shown. Calculate the stresses at the two
points marked A and B.
Y
P=200 kN
B
300 mm
50
X X
80
A
Y
200 mm
Solution:
For bending about x-x axis, the moment of inertia Ixx is given by:-
Ixx = 200*3003 / 12 = 4.5*108 mm4
The moment Mxx induces by the axial force is given by:-
Mxx = 200*0.05 = 10 kNm
The stress at A is given by:-
P M xx y A 200 x10 3 10 x10 6 x 80
A 3.33 1.78
A I xx 200 x 300 4.5 x10 8
= -1.55 N/mm2
The stress at B is given by:-
P M xx y B 200 x10 3 10 x10 6 x 50
B 8
3.33 1.11
A I xx 200 x 300 4.5 x10
2
= -4.44 N/mm
Page 5-11
Chapter 5 – Short Column
Y
-3.33 -3.33
M=
B 10 kNm
-1.11
300 mm
50
P=200 kN
80
A +1.78
+3.33
Y
Axial Stress (MPa) Bending Stress (MPa)
200 mm
P/A My/I
Page 5-12
Chapter 5 – Short Column
Example 3
A short column carries a compressive load of 150 kN acting at an
eccentricity of 60 mm to the x-x axis and 80 mm to the y-y axis as shown in
the figure. Determine the stresses at the four corners A, B, C and D.
Y
80mm
A B
P= 150 kN
60mm
200 mm
X X
C
Y D
300 mm
Solution:
Area of the section = 200 * 300 = 60000 mm2
Moment of Inertia about x-x axis, Ixx = 300 * 2003/12 = 2*108 mm4
Moment of Inertia about y-y axis, Iyy = 200 * 3003/12 = 4.5*108 mm4
Axial Force = 150 kN = 150 * 103 N
Bending moment about x-x axis, Mxx = 150 * 0.06 = 9 kNm
Bending moment about y-y axis, Myy = 150 * 0.08 = 12 kNm
P 150 x10 3
Stress due to axial force = 2.5 N / mm 2
A 60000
Maximum stress due to moment Mxx
M xx ymax 9 x10 6 x100
= 8
4.5 N / mm 2
I xx 2 x10
Maximum stress due to moment Myy
M yy xmax 12 x10 6 x150
= 8
4 N / mm 2
I yy 4.5 x10
Page 5-13
Chapter 5 – Short Column
Y
M yy= 12 kNm
A B
M xx= 9 kNm
200 mm
P= 150 kN X
X
C
Y D
300 mm
A (N/mm2) B (N/mm2) C (N/mm2) D (N/mm2)
P/A -2.5 -2.5 -2.5 -2.5
(Mxx ymax)/ Ixx -4.5 -4.5 +4.5 +4.5
(Myy xmax)/ Iyy +4 -4 +4 -4
-3 -11 +6 -2
Page 5-14
Chapter 5 – Short Column
Example 4
A rectangular R.C. short column has a cross-section 500 mm x 400 mm and
is subjected to a vertical compressive load of 250 kN applied at point P as
shown in the figure. Determine the values of the maximum compressive
and tensile stresses of the section.
125 Y
A B
P=250 kN
400 mm
100
X X
C D
Y
500 mm
Solution:
Area of the section = 500 * 400 = 200000 mm2
Moment of Inertia about x-x axis, Ixx = 500 * 4003/12 = 2.667*109 mm4
Moment of Inertia about y-y axis, Iyy = 400 * 5003/12 = 4.167*109 mm4
Axial Force = 250 kN = 250 * 103 N
Bending moment about x-x axis, Mxx = 250 * 0.1 = 25 kNm
Bending moment about y-y axis, Myy = 250 * 0.125 = 31.25 kNm
Maximum compressive stress and maximum tensile stress occur at point A
and D respectively.
P M y M x
A xx A yy A
A I xx I yy
250 x10 3 25 x10 6 x 200 31.25 x10 6 x 250
9
200000 2.667 x10 4.167 x10 9
= -1.25 – 1.87 – 1.87 = -4.99 N/mm2
Page 5-15
Chapter 5 – Short Column
P M xx y D M yy x D
D
A I xx I yy
250 x10 3 25 x10 6 x 200 31.25 x10 6 x 250
200000 2.667 x10 9 4.167 x10 9
= -1.25 + 1.87 + 1.87 = +2.49 N/mm2
Y
Myy =31.25 kNm
A B
Mxx =25 kNm
400 mm
P=250 kN
X X
C D
Y
500 mm
Page 5-16
Chapter 5 – Short Column
Example 5
A structural steel H column is subjected to compressive loads as shown in
the figure. Determine the values of the maximum compressive and tensile
stresses of the section.
Y
250 kN
180 mm 10 mm
A B
125 mm
75 mm
X 150 kN X
10mm
10 mm
C D
200 mm
Y
Solution:
Y
Myy = 11.25 kNm
180 mm 10 mm
A B
Mxx= 31.25 kNm
P = 400 kN
X X
10mm
10 mm
C D
200 mm
Y
Page 5-17
Chapter 5 – Short Column
Area of the section = 200*10*2 + 180*10 = 5800 mm2
Moment of Inertia about x-x axis,
Ixx = (200 * 2003 – 190*1803) /12 = 4.099*107 mm4
Moment of Inertia about y-y axis,
Iyy = (10 * 2003/12)*2 + 180*103 /12 = 1.335*107 mm4
Axial Force = 250 + 150 = 400 kN = 400 * 103 N
Bending moment about x-x axis, Mxx = 250 * 0.125 = 31.25 kNm
Bending moment about y-y axis, Myy = 150 * 0.075 = 11.25 kNm
Maximum compressive stress and maximum tensile stress occur at point B
and C respectively.
P M xx y B M yy x B
B
A I xx I yy
400 x10 3 31.25 x10 6 x100 11.25 x10 6 x100
7
5800 4.099 x10 1.335 x10 7
= -69.0 – 76.2 – 84.3 = -229.5 N/mm2
P M xx yC M yy xC
C
A I xx I yy
400 x10 3 31.25 x10 6 x100 11.25 x10 6 x100
7
5800 4.099 x10 1.335 x10 7
= -69.0 + 76.2 + 84.3 = +91.5 N/mm2
Page 5-18
Chapter 5 – Short Column
Tutorial 6 (Short Columns)
Q1. A 500 x 300 mm short column supports a vertical compressive load
of 200 kN as shown in the figure. Determine the maximum and the
minimum stresses in the section. Find the maximum eccentricity of
the load from Y-Y axis for no tension to develop anywhere in the
section.
50
300 mm
X 200 kN X
Y
500 mm
Q2. A T-beam is stressed by the application of a compressive force of 150
kN as shown in the figure. Calculate the stresses at the top and
bottom of the beam section.
1000 mm
400 mm 200 mm
P=150 kN
100 mm
300 mm
Page 5-19
Chapter 5 – Short Column
Q3. A short column as shown the figure carries a compressive load of 250
kN at an eccentricity of 50 mm from each of the principal axis.
Calculate the stresses at each of the four corners of the section.
A B
50
200 mm
P= 250 kN 50
X X
C
Y D
300 mm
Q4. A steel column carries four compressive loads as shown. Calculate
the stresses at the four corners.
Y
250 kN
170 mm 15 mm
A B
125 mm
50 mm 75 mm
X 150 kN X
50 kN
125 mm
10mm
15 mm
C D
100 kN
Y
200 mm
Q5. If the compressive loads of 50 kN and 100 kN are removed from the
steel column in Q4. Determine the maximum compressive and
tensile stresses of the column.
Page 5-20
