Semester 2/2023

Lecture 6 – Design of Compression Members

 Local Buckling
 Column Splices
 Built-up Columns
 Single-angle Compression
Members

Department of Teacher Training in Civil Engineering

King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok
1
Use of structural steel column-
tree assemblies prefabricated in
the shop to avoid welding at the
critical regions of frame structures.

2
Overall view of the erection of a
structural steel- framed structure using
prefabricated tree-column assemblies.

3
Ex 6-1 Select section W350 for applied dead load 45 ton and live load 135
ton as shown in figure. Use A36 steel.
 E   2.04 10  2 2 6

Solution Assume KL/r = 50 F  KL / r  50.00  8053.60 ksc

   
e 2 2

 2500.00

Fcr  0.658   2500   2195.40 ksc (or read from Table)
8053.60

 

Considering the necessary load combinations

LRFD with 𝜙 0.90 ASD with Ω 1.67 1⁄1.67 0.60
𝑃 1.2 45 1.6 135 𝟐𝟕𝟎 𝒕𝒐𝒏 𝑃 45 135 𝟏𝟖𝟎 𝒕𝒐𝒏

Pu 270 1000  Pa 180 1000 

Areq    136.65 cm 2 Areq    136.65 cm 2
0.90 Fcr 0.90  2195.40  0.60 Fcr 0.60  2195.40 

Trial W350x115 kg/m (A = 146 cm2, ry = 8.78 cm)

KL r  1 500  / 8.78  56.95
4
AISC Formulas

 Fy

Fcr  0.658  Fy
Fe

  Fcr  0.877 Fe

 2E
Fe 
 KL / r 
2

E
Cc  4.71
Fy

5
Ex 6-1 (cont.)
KL/r = 56.95
 2E  2  2.04 106 
Fe    6207.87 ksc
 KL / r   56.95 
2 2

 2500.00

Fcr  0.658 6207.87
  2500   2112.21 ksc or interpolate from Table
 

LRFD with 𝜙 0.90 ASD with Ω 1.67 1⁄1.67 0.60

c Pn  0.90  2112.21146   277544 kg c Pn  0.60  2112.21146   185029 kg
 277.5 ton  270 ton OK  185 ton  180 ton OK

Use W350x115 kg/m (A = 146 cm2, ry = 8.78 cm)

6
Column Splices
• 60-90 cm above floor levels to keep from interfering with beam
• Large part of load transferred through bearing between columns

(a) Columns from same W series (dlower < 5 cm greater than dupper )
7
Column Splices (Cont.)

(b) Columns from different W series

8
Column Splices (Cont.)

(a) Columns from same W series (dlower < 5 cm greater than dupper )
9
Column Splices (Cont.)

10
Built-up Columns

11
Built-up Columns (Cont.)
• As previously described, compression members may be constructed
with two or more shapes built up into a single member.
• They may consist of parts in contact with each other, such as cover-
plated sections;
• or they may consist of parts in close contacts with each other, such as
pairs of angles that may be separated from each other by a small
distance equal to the thickness of the end connections or gusset
plates between them.
• They may consist of parts that are spread well apart, such as pairs of
channels or four angles, and so on.

12
Built-up Columns (Cont.)
• Two-angle sections probably are the most common type of built-up
member. (For example, they frequently are used as the members of
light trusses.)
• When a pair of angles are used as a compression member, they need
to be fastened together to act as a unit.
• Welds may be used at intervals (with a spacer bar between the parts if
the angles are separated) or connected with stitch bolts.
• When the connections are bolted, washers or ring fills are placed
between the parts to keep proper spacing if the angles are separated.

13
Built-up Columns (Cont.)
• For long columns, it may be convenient to use built-up sections
where the parts of the columns are spread out or widely separated
from each other.
• Before heavy W sections were made available, such sections were
very commonly used in buildings and bridges.
• Today, these built-up columns are commonly used for crane booms
and the compression members of various kinds of towers.
• The widely spaced parts of these built-up members must be carefully
laced or tied together.

14
 Built-up Columns with Components in Contact with Each Other

• Several requirements concerning built-up columns are presented in AISC

Specification E6.
• When such columns consist of different components that are in contact
with each other and that are bearing on base plates or milled (finished)
surfaces, they must be connected at their ends with bolts or welds.
• If welds are used, the weld lengths must at least equal the maximum
width of the member.
• If bolts are used, they may not be spaced longitudinally more than
four diameters on center, and the connection must extend for a
distance at least equal to 1½ times the maximum width of the
member.
15
 Built-up Columns with Components in Contact with Each Other
• When the component of a built-up column consists
of an outside plate, the AISC Specification provides
specific maximum spacings for fastening.
• If intermittent welds are used along the edges of the
components, or if bolts are provided along all gage
lines at each section, their maximum spacing may
not be greater than the thickness of the thinner
outside plate times 0.75 𝐸⁄𝐹 nor be greater
than 12 inches (300 mm).
Source: Structural steel design, 5th ed.
(p.178), by McCormac, Jack C., and
• Should the fasteners be staggered, the maximum
Csernak, Stephen F., 2011, Prentice-Hall. spacing along each gage line shall not be greater
than the thickness of the thinner outside plate
times 1.12 𝐸⁄𝐹 nor be greater than 18 inches
(450 mm) (AISC Specification Section E6.2).
16
 Built-up Columns with Components in Contact with Each Other
• In the discussion that follows, the letter 𝑎 represents the distance
between connectors, and 𝑟 is the least radius of gyration of an individual
component of the column.
• If compression members consisting of two or more shapes are used, they
must be connected at intervals such that the effective slenderness ratio
𝐾𝑎⁄𝑟 of each of the component shapes between the connectors is
not larger than 3/4 times the governing or controlling slenderness
ratio of the whole built-up member (AISC Commentary E6.1).
• The end connections must be made with welds or slip-critical bolts with
clean mill scale, or blasted, cleaned faying surfaces with Class A or B
faying surfaces. (These surfaces are described in Section J3.8 of the AISC
Specification.)
17
Built-up Columns with Components in Contact with Each Other

• The design strength of compression members built up from two or

more shapes in contact with each other is determined with the usual
applicable AISC Sections E3, E4, or E7, with one exception.
• Should the column tend to buckle in such a manner that relative
deformations in the different parts cause shear forces in the
connectors between the parts, it is necessary to modify the 𝐾𝐿⁄𝑟
value for that axis of buckling.
• This modification is required by Section E6 of the AISC Specification.
• Reference is made here to the cover-plated column of previous figure.

18
 Built-up Columns with Components in Contact with Each Other
• If this section tends to buckle about its 𝑦 axis, the
connectors between the W shape and the plates
are not subjected to any calculated load.
• If, on the other hand, it tends to buckle about its
𝑥 axis. The result will be shear in the connection
between these parts, and 𝐾𝐿⁄𝑟 will have to be
modified by AISC Equations E6-1, E6-2a, or E6-2b,
Source: Structural steel
design, 5th ed. (p.178), by as described next.
McCormac, Jack C., and
Csernak, Stephen F., 2011,
• (Equation E6-1 is based upon test results that
Prentice-Hall. supposedly account for shear deformations in the
connectors. Equations E6-2a and E6-2b are based
upon theory and were checked through tests.)
19
Built-up Columns with Components in Contact with Each Other

a. For intermediate connectors that are snug-tight bolted,

AISC Equation E6-1
It is important to remember that the design strength of a built-up
column will be reduced if the spacing of connectors is such that one
of the components of the column can buckle before the whole
column buckles.

20
 Built-up Columns with Components in Contact with Each Other
b. For intermediate connectors that are welded or have pretensioned bolts,
as required for slip-critical joints,
when 40 ,
AISC Equation E6-2a
when 40 ,
AISC Equation E6-2b

AISC Equation E6-1 is used to compute the modified slenderness ratio

about the major axis to find out whether it is greater than the
slenderness ratio about the minor axis. That value should be used to
determine the member's design strength if it is.
21
 Built-up Columns with Components in Contact with Each Other

In these two equations,

= column slenderness ratio of the whole built-up member acting
as a unit in the buckling direction
= modified slenderness ratio of built-up member because of shear
𝑎 = distance between connectors, in. (mm)
𝑟 = minimum radius of gyration of an individual component, in. (mm)
𝐾 = 0.50 for angles back-to-back
= 0.75 for channels back-to-back
= 0.86 for all other cases

22
Ex 6-2 You are to design a column for 𝑃 150 𝑡𝑜𝑛 and 𝑃 190 𝑡𝑜𝑛, using
𝐹 2,500 𝑘𝑠𝑐 and 𝐾𝐿 4.0 𝑚. A W300x94.0 is on hand. Design cover
plates to be snug-tight bolted at 150 mm spacings to the W section, as
shown in figure, to enable the column to support the required load.
Solution KL / r  400 7.51  53.26
 E2  2  2.04 106 
W300x94.0 119.8 cm2,
Fe    7097.86 ksc
 KL / r   53.26 
300 mm =300 mm, =300 mm, 2 2
=20,400 cm4 =6,750 cm4)
rx  12.1 cm, ry  7.51 cm
 2500.00

Fcr  0.658   2500   2157.33 ksc
7097.86

 

Considering the necessary load combinations

LRFD with 𝜙 0.90 ASD with Ω 1.67 1⁄1.67 0.60
𝑃 1.2 150 1.6 190 𝟒𝟖𝟒 𝒕𝒐𝒏 𝑃 150 190 𝟑𝟒𝟎 𝒕𝒐𝒏

Pu 484 1000  Pa 340 1000 

Areq    249.28 cm 2 Areq    262.67 cm 2
0.90 Fcr 0.90  2157.33 0.60 Fcr 0.60  2157.33

23
Ex 6-2 (cont.)
Subtracted by Area of W300x94.0 = −119.8 cm2
Estimated Area of 2 plates = 262.67 − 119.80 = 143.87 cm2 or 71.44 cm2 each
(This example used required area from ASD method)
Try one PL25x300 mm each flange
𝐴 119.80 2 2.5 30 269.80 𝑐𝑚
. .
𝐼 20400 2 75 60,009 𝑐𝑚

,
𝑟 14.91 𝑐𝑚 26.83
. .

𝐼 6750 2 2.5 30 18,000 𝑐𝑚

, 48.96
𝑟 8.17 𝑐𝑚 .
.

24
Ex 6-2 (cont.)
Computing the modified slenderness ratio (x-axis for this example) yields
.
𝑟 0.722 𝑐𝑚
.

20.78
.

𝐾𝐿 𝐾𝐿 𝑎
26.83 20.78 (AISC Equation E6-1)
𝑟 𝑟 𝑟

33.94 48.96 ∴ does not control, 48.96 control

Checking the slenderness ratio of the plates, we have

20.78 48.96 32.64 OK

25
Ex 6-2 (cont.)

For 48.96

 E2  2  2.04 106 
Fe    8399.38 ksc
 KL / r   48.96 
2 2

 2500.00

Fcr  0.658   2500   2207.17 ksc
8399.38

 

LRFD with 𝜙 0.90 ASD with Ω 1.67 1⁄1.67 0.60

𝑃 𝐹
𝜙𝑃 𝜙𝐹 𝐴 0.9 2207.17 269.80 𝐴 0.6 2207.17 269.80
Ω Ω
𝟓𝟑𝟔 𝒕𝒐𝒏 𝟒𝟖𝟒 𝒕𝒐𝒏 𝑶𝑲 𝟑𝟓𝟕 𝒕𝒐𝒏 𝟑𝟒𝟎 𝒕𝒐𝒏 𝑶𝑲

26
Built-up Columns with Components Not in Contact with Each Other

• Example 6-3 presents the design of a member built

up from two channels that are not in contact with
each other.
• The parts of such members need to be connected or
laced together across their open sides.
• The lacing design is discussed immediately after this
example and is illustrated in Example 6-4.

27
Ex 6-3 Select a pair of 300-mm standard channels for the column shown in
figure below, using 𝐹 2,500 𝑘𝑠𝑐. For connection purposes, the back-
to-back distance of the channels is to be 300 mm. 𝑃 40 𝑡𝑜𝑛 and
𝑃 120 𝑡𝑜𝑛. Consider both LRFD and ASD procedures.

Solution Considering the necessary load combinations

LRFD ASD
22.8 mm 127.2 mm
𝑃 1.2 40 1.6 120 𝟐𝟒𝟎 𝒕𝒐𝒏 𝑃 40 120 𝟏𝟔𝟎 𝒕𝒐𝒏

Assume KL/r = 50
 2  2.04 106 
6m
300 mm  2E
Fe    8053.60 ksc
 KL / r   50.00 
2 2

 2500.00

Fcr  0.658   2500   2195.40 ksc
8053.60
300 mm
 

or read from Table

28
Ex 6-3 (cont.)
LRFD with 𝜙 0.90 ASD with Ω 1.67 1⁄1.67 0.60

Pu 240 1000  Pa 160 1000 

Areq    121.47 cm 2 Areq    121.47 cm 2
0.90 Fcr 0.90  2195.40  0.60 Fcr 0.60  2195.40 

Try 2-C300x90x48.6 kg/m (For each channel, 𝐴 61.90 𝑐𝑚 , 𝐼 7870 𝑐𝑚 , 𝐼 379 𝑐𝑚 , 𝑥̅ 22.8 𝑚𝑚)
𝐼 2 7870 15740 𝑐𝑚 (Control)
𝐼 2 379 2 61.90 12.72 20788 𝑐𝑚

𝑟 11.3 𝑐𝑚 53.10
.
.
 2E  2  2.04 106   2500.00

Fe    7140.7 ksc Fcr  0.658 7140.70   2500   2159.23 ksc
 KL / r   53.1
2 2
 

LRFD with 𝜙 0.90 ASD with Ω 1.67 1⁄1.67 0.60

𝑃 𝐹
𝜙𝑃 𝜙𝐹 𝐴 0.9 2159.23 2 61.9 𝐴 0.6 2159.23 2 61.9
Ω Ω
𝟐𝟒𝟎. 𝟓 𝒕𝒐𝒏 𝟐𝟒𝟎 𝒕𝒐𝒏 𝑶𝑲 𝟏𝟔𝟎. 𝟒 𝒕𝒐𝒏 𝟏𝟔𝟎 𝒕𝒐𝒏 𝑶𝑲

29
Ex 6-3 (cont.)
Checking width thickness ratios of channels
𝑑 300 𝑚𝑚, 𝑏 90 𝑚𝑚, 𝑡 16 𝑚𝑚, 𝑡 12 𝑚𝑚

Flanges
.
5.63 0.56 16.0 OK (Case 1, AISC Table B4-1a)
Webs
.
22.33 1.49 42.6 OK (Case 1, AISC Table B4-1a)

Therefore, the channel 300x90x48.6 kg/m is a nonslender member

Use 2-C300x90x48.6 kg/m

30
Built-up Columns with Components Not in Contact with Each Other

• The open sides of compression members built up from plates or shapes may be
connected with
 continuous cover plates with perforated holes for access purposes,
 or they may be connected with lacing and tie plates.

31
Ex 6-4 Using the AISC Specification and steel 𝐹 2,500 𝑘𝑠𝑐, design bolted
single lacing for the column of Example 6-3. Assume that 20 mm
bolts are used. Reference is made to figure below.

240 mm

C300x90x48.6 kg/m

𝑟 𝑟 2.48 𝑐𝑚

g = 45 mm 210 mm g = 45 mm 210 mm
300 mm

Two-channel column section with lacing

32
Ex 6-4 (cont.)
Solution
Distance between lines of bolts is 210 mm < 380 mm; therefore, single lacing is OK.
• Assume that lacing bars are inclined at 60° with the axis of the member.
• The length of channels between lacing connections is 210/cos30° = 240 mm,
• and 𝐾𝐿⁄𝑟 of one channel between connections is 240/24.8 = 9.68 < 3/4 X 53.10,
which is 𝐾𝐿⁄𝑟 of main member previously determined in Example 6-3.
Force on lacing bar:
𝑉 = 0.02 times available compressive strength of the member (from Example 6-3)

LRFD with 𝜙 0.90 ASD with Ω 1.67 1⁄1.67 0.60

𝑃 𝐹
𝜙𝑃 𝜙𝐹 𝐴 𝟐𝟒𝟎. 𝟓 𝒕𝒐𝒏 𝐴 𝟏𝟔𝟎. 𝟒 𝒕𝒐𝒏
Ω Ω
𝑉 0.02 240.5 4.81 𝑡𝑜𝑛 𝑉 0.02 160.4 3.21 𝑡𝑜𝑛

𝑉 2.40 𝑡𝑜𝑛 𝑉 1.60 𝑡𝑜𝑛

= shearing force on each plane of lacing = shearing force on each plane of lacing

33
Ex 6-4 (cont.)
LRFD with 𝜙 0.90 ASD with Ω 1.67 1⁄1.67 0.60
Force in a bar (with reference to bar dimensions)
240 240
2.40 2.74 𝑡𝑜𝑛 1.60 1.83 𝑡𝑜𝑛
210 210

Properties of flat bar: 𝐼 𝐴 𝑏𝑡 𝑟 0.289𝑡

Design of bar: Assume 𝐾𝐿⁄𝑟 = maximum value of 140 and 𝐾 = 1.0

1.0 240 𝑚𝑚
140 ∴𝑡 5.9 𝑚𝑚 𝑡𝑟𝑦 6 𝑚𝑚 𝑓𝑙𝑎𝑡 𝑏𝑎𝑟
0.289𝑡 𝑚𝑚
𝐾𝐿 1.0 240 𝑚𝑚
138.4
𝑟 0.289 6 𝑚𝑚
𝐹
𝜙𝐹 829.66 𝑘𝑠𝑐 553.11 𝑘𝑠𝑐
Ω
2.74 1000 1.83 1000
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑟𝑒𝑞𝑑 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑟𝑒𝑞𝑑
829.66 553.11
3.30 𝑐𝑚 5.5 0.6 𝑐𝑚 𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑑𝑒𝑑 3.30 𝑐𝑚 5.5 0.6 𝑐𝑚 𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑑𝑒𝑑
𝑢𝑠𝑒 6.0 0.6 𝑐𝑚 𝑏𝑎𝑟 𝑢𝑠𝑒 6.0 0.6 𝑐𝑚 𝑏𝑎𝑟
34
Ex 6-4 (cont.)

LRFD with 𝜙 0.90 ASD with Ω 1.67 1⁄1.67 0.60

Minimum edge distance if 20 mm bolt used = 26 mm AISC Table J3.4M
Thus, Minimum length of bar = 240 + (2)(26) = 292 mm, say, 300 mm
𝑢𝑠𝑒 30.0 6.0 0.6 𝑐𝑚 𝑏𝑎𝑟, 𝐹 2,500 𝑘𝑠𝑐
Design of end tie plates:
Minimum length = 210 mm
Minimum 𝑡 210 4.2 𝑚𝑚

Minimum width = 210 + (2)(26) = 262 mm

𝑢𝑠𝑒 30.0 21.0 0.6 𝑐𝑚 𝑒𝑛𝑑 𝑡𝑖𝑒 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑠, 𝐹 2,500 𝑘𝑠𝑐

35
Ex 6-4 (cont.)

36
 Single-angle Compression Members

• The nominal compressive strength, 𝑃 , of single angle members shall

be determined in accordance with Section E3 (FLEXURAL BUCKLING OF
MEMBERS WITHOUT SLENDER ELEMENTS) or Section E7 (MEMBERS
WITH SLENDER ELEMENTS), as appropriate, for axially loaded members.
• For single angles with b/t > 20, Section E4 (TORSIONAL AND FLEXURAL-
TORSIONAL BUCKLING OF MEMBERS WITHOUT SLENDER ELEMENTS)
shall be used.
• Members meeting the criteria imposed in Section E5(a) or E5(b) are
permitted to be designed as axially loaded members using the
specified effective slenderness ratio, KL/r.

37
 Single-angle Compression Members

• The effects of eccentricity on single angle members are permitted to be

neglected when evaluated as axially loaded compression members using one of
the effective slenderness ratios specified in Section E5(a) or E5(b), provided that:
(1) members are loaded at the ends in compression through the same one leg;
(2) members are attached by welding or by connections with a minimum of two
bolts; and
(3) there are no intermediate transverse loads.
• Single angle members with different end conditions from those described in
Section E5(a) or (b), with the ratio of long leg width to short leg width greater
than 1.7 or with transverse loading, shall be evaluated for combined axial load
and flexure using the provisions of Chapter H.

38
 Single-angle Compression Members
(a) For equal-leg angles or unequal-leg angles connected through the longer leg
that are individual members or are web members of planar trusses with
adjacent web members attached to the same side of the gusset plate or chord:
(i) When 80:
72 0.75 (E5-1)
(ii) When 80 :
32 1.25 200 (E5-2)

For unequal-leg angles with leg length ratios less than 1.7 and connected
through the shorter leg, 𝐾𝐿⁄𝑟 from Equations E5-1 and E5-2 shall be increased
by adding 4 𝑏 ⁄𝑏 1 , but 𝐾𝐿⁄𝑟 of the members shall not be taken as
less than 0.95𝐿⁄𝑟 .
39
 Single-angle Compression Members
(b) For equal-leg angles or unequal-leg angles connected through the longer leg
that are web members of box or space trusses with adjacent web members
attached to the same side of the gusset plate or chord:
(i) When 75:
60 0.8 (E5-3)
(ii) When 75:
45 200 (E5-4)

For unequal-leg angles with leg length ratios less than 1.7 and connected
through the shorter leg, 𝐾𝐿⁄𝑟 from Equations E5-3 and E5-4 shall be increased
by adding 6 𝑏 ⁄𝑏 1 , but 𝐾𝐿⁄𝑟 of the members shall not be taken as
less than 0.82𝐿⁄𝑟 .
40
 Single-angle Compression Members

where
𝐿 length of member between work points at truss chord
centerlines, mm
𝑏 length of longer leg of angle, mm
𝑏 length of shorter leg of angle, mm
𝑟 radius of gyration about the geometric axis parallel to the
connected leg, mm
𝑟 radius of gyration about the minor principal axis, mm

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Ex 6-5 Determine the 𝜙 𝑃 , and 𝑃 ⁄Ω values for a 3-m-long A36 angles
200x200x20 with simple end connections, used in a planar truss.
The other web members meeting at the ends of this member are
connected on the same side of the gusset plates.
Solution
Using an L200x200x20 (𝐴 76.0 𝑐𝑚 , 𝑟 𝑟 6.09 𝑐𝑚, 𝑟 3.90 𝑐𝑚)
𝐿 300
49.26 80
𝑟 6.09

72 0.75 72 0.75 49.26 108.95 (AISC Equation E5-1)

LRFD with 𝜙 0.90 ASD with Ω 1.67 1⁄1.67 0.60

𝐹
𝜙𝐹 1214.14 𝑘𝑠𝑐 809.42 𝑘𝑠𝑐
Ω
𝑃 𝐹
𝜙𝑃 𝜙𝐹 𝐴 1214.14 76.0 92 𝑡𝑜𝑛 𝐴 809.42 76.0 61.5 𝑡𝑜𝑛
Ω Ω

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