Members subjected to combined axial loads and bending moments are called

“Beam-Columns”. Examples of this, are floor or roof beams resisting later wind
loads. Top chord truss elements supporting roof loading causing bending, etc.
Top chord with bending
Interaction Formula:
w w w w w w w

Σ load effects
 1.0
resistance
or
Pu M
 u  1.0 (c  b  0.9) BC  1
cPn bMn

where:
Pu = factored axial compression.
Mu = factored bending moment.
Pn = nominal axial strength.
Mn = nominal bending strength.
BC-1
Equation (BC-1) is the basic of AISC design criteria as stated in (chapter
H) of AISC – LRFD specs:-

Pu
For  0.2,
cPn
Pu 8  Mux Muy 
  1.0
  (AISC Equation H1- 1a)
cPn 9  bMnx bMny 
Pu
For  0.2,
cPn
Pu  Mux Muy 
  1.0
  (AISC Equation H1- 1a)
2cPn  bMnx bMny 

BC-2
 Example BC-1

The beam-column shown in Figure below is pinned

at both ends and is subjected to the factored loads
shown. Bending is about the strong axis. Determine
weather this member satisfy the appropriate AISC
Specification interaction equation.

Solution
From the column load tables (Table 4.1) the
axial
compressive design strength of W8x58 with
Fy=50 ksi and KyLy=17 ft
cPn = 286 kips
BC-3
From the beam design charts (Table 3-10 page 3 – 125) for
un braced length of Lb=17, and Cb=1.0

For this condition and this loading : Cb=1.32 (table 3.1) M

b n = 202 k.ft.

 bMn = 1.32 x 202 = 267 k.ft.

bMp = 224 k.ft. (Table 3.2 page 3-18).
 bMn = 224 k.ft.  bMp
22  17
The factored maximum moment : Mu   93.5 k  ft.
4
Pu 200
  0.518  0.2  Use AISC H 1.1a
cPn 386
Pu 8  Mux  200 8  93.5 
        0.889  1 OK
cPn 9  bMnx  386 9  224 

This member satisfies the AISC specifications. BC-4

Moments caused by eccentricity of axial load cannot be ignored for beam-columns.
wL2
Maximum Moment   P. δ
8
The value of (P·) is called “Moment
magnification” due to initial beam column
initial crookedness or from bending due to
transverse load ().
It can be proven that a beam column with initial
crookedness (e) and initial moment (Mo = Pu ·e),
that the total moment becomes:
M = Pu ( e + ymax)

 1 
M  Mo  
 1  Pu Pe BC-5
where:-
M = Magnified moment.
Mo = Initial moment (due to initial crookedness or more often due to transverse loads).
π 2EI
Pe   Euler buckling load.
L
Example BC-2
Compute the amplification factor for example (BC-1)
π 2E KL K xL x
Pe  .Ag whe re   Axis of Bending
KL
r
2
r rx

K xL x 1.0 x 17 x 12
  55.9
rx 3.65
π 2 x29000
Pe  x 17.1  1567 kips.
(55.9) 2
So M = 1.15 Mo
Amplificat ion Factor 
1

1
 1.15
= 1.15  93.5 = 107.5 k·ft.
Pu 200
1- 1
Pe 1567 BC-6
Moment amplification is covered in chapter C of the AISC code.
Two amplification factors are used in LRFD:-
A) * One to account for amplification due to deflection.
B) * One to account for amplification due to frame
sideway to lateral forces in unbraced frames.

LRFD account for both effects:

Mu = Mr = B1 Mnt + B2 Mlt AISC C2-1a

Where:
Mr = Mu = factored load combination as affected by amplification.
Mnt = Maximum moment assuming no sidesway (no translation)
Mlt = Maximum moment caused by sidesway (lateral translation).
(Mlt = 0 for braced frames)
B1 = amplification factor for braced frames.
B2 = amplification factor for unbraced frames. BC-7
The maximum moment in a beam-column depend on the end bending
moments in a braced frame, the various cases are accounted for by a factor
(Cm) as follows:
Cm
B1   1.0 (AISC C2-2)
1  α Pr Pe1

BC-8
Where:
Cm = Coefficient whose value taken as follows:

1: If there are no transverse loads acting on the member,

 M1 
Cm  0.6  0.4  (AISC Equation C2 – 4)
 M2 

M1/M2 is a ratio of the bending moments at the ends of the member. M1 is

the end moment that is smaller in absolute value, M2 is the larger, and the
ratio is positive for moment bent in reverse curvature and negative for
single-curvature bending. Reverse curvature (a positive ratio) occurs when
M1 and M2 are both clockwise or both counterclockwise.

BC-9
 Evaluation of Cm Factor
2. For transversely loaded members, Cm can be taken as 0.85 if the ends are
restrained against rotation and 1.0 if the ends are unrestrained against rotation
(pinned). End restraint will usually result from the stiffness of members
connected to the beam-column. The pinned end condition is the one used in the
derivation of the amplification factor; hence there is no reduction for this case,
which corresponds to Cm = 1.0. Although the actual end condition may lie
between full fixity and a frictionless pin, use of one of the two values given here
will give satisfactory results.
α  1.0
Pr  Pu
π 2EI
Pe1 
 KL  2
(AISC C2 – 5)

BC-10
Example BC-3
The horizontal beam column shown below is subjected to service live loads
as shown. The member is laterally braced at its ends. Check its capacity to
LRFD code? 20k
W8  35
Solution:- 20 k A36 20k

5' 5'
P  1.6  20  32 kips
u 10'

 1.2  0.035  (10)2  1.6  20  (10)

Mu  M    80.52 k  ft.
nt 8 4
Column Action:-

rx = 3.51 in, ry = 2.03 in, Ag = 10.3 in2

BC-11
 Kl  K yl y 1 10  12
     59.1
 r max ry 2.03
c Fcr = 27 ksi (Table 4 - 22 page 4 – 319).
c Pn = c Fcr Ag = 27  10.3 = 278.1 k

Pu 32
  0.115  0.2
Pn 278.1
 Use Equation (H1 – 1b) interaction formula.
Beam Action:-
Lb = 10 ft, Cb = 1.32, Zx = 34.7 in4
Ixx = 127 in3
Sx = 31.2 in3.
Mp = Zx Fy = 104.1 k·ft. BC-12
 E
Lp  1.76 ry  8.45ft
Fy
E
Lr  πrts  20.25ft
0.7Fy
Lp  L b  Lr
  L b  Lp 
Mn  Cb Mp  Mp  0.7Fy S x    Mp
 L L 
  r p 
   0.7  36  31.2   10  8.45 
 1.32 104.1   104.1     
   12   20.25  8.45 

 1.32  99.03  130.7kft  Mp  104.1kft 
 Mn = Mp = 104.1k·ft
b Mn = 0.9  104.1 = 93.7k·ft
BC-13
 Moment Magnification:-
Cm = 1.0 (transverse loads and ends unrestrained).
π 2EIx π 2  29000  127
Pe1    2524.3k  ft
 K xL x  2
 1 10  12  2

Cm 1
B1    1.013  1.0 (OK)
P 1  32
1 u 2524
Pe1
Mu = Bi Mnt = 1.013  80.52 = 81.55 k·ft

Interaction Formula:-

Pr M
 rx  1.0 (H1  1b)
2Pc Mcx
0.115 81.55
  0.93  1.0 OK
2 93.7
Section is adequate ! BC-14
Example BC – 4
The beam column shown below is part of a braced frame. The factored
loads and moments are given as shown. Bending is on strong axis.
KxLx = KyLy = 14 ft. The W 14  61 section is made of A572 Gr 50 steel.
Is this member safe ?
Solution:-  Kl  K yL y 14  12
Maximum      68.6
A) Determine  r  ry 2.45
interaction formula,
and Column Action :- From AISC table 4 - 22
cFcr  32 ksi
cPn  cFcr A g  32  17.9  572.8 kips
Pu 420
  0.733  0.2
cPn 572.8
Use (AISC H1- 1a)
BC-15
B) Beam Behavior :- C) Magnification Factor :-

K xL x 14  12
From the Beam Design Charts with rx

5.96
 28.1

Cb = 1.0, Lb = 14 π 2EIx π 2  29000  640

Pe1    6490.2
b Mn = 344 kips·ft. (page 3.121) (K xL x ) 2
(14  12) 2

M1  70 
For actual (Cb)1 see the moment Cm  0.6 - 0.4  0.6  0.4     0.9415
M2  82 
diagram of the12.5
column:
M B1 
Cm

0.9415
 1.0066
Cb  max
1 Pu 1 420
2.5 Mmax  3M A  4MB  3MC Pe1 6490.2
12.5 x 82
  1.06
2.5  82  3  73  4  76  3  79

b Mn =344 x 1.06 b Mp = 383 k·ft (page 3 – 17 – Zx tables).

= 364.6 kips·ft. (also confirmed on page 3 – 121).
BC-16
D) Interaction Equation:-
The factored load moments :-

Mnt = 82 k·ft , Mlt = 0

Mu = B1Mnt + B2 Mlt

= 1.0066  82 + 0 = 82.5 k·ft

Pu 8  Mux Muy  8  82.5 

     0.733    
cPn 9  bMnx bMny  9  364.6 
 0.733  0.2011
 0.934 Less than 1.0 O.K.

Section Acceptable
BC-17
 Example BC – 5:-
Determine the service load w(40% DL + 60% LL) that can be applied to the
member shown below, Ends are simply supported. Lateral bracing at ends
only A 572 Gr 50 steel, strong axis bending.

Solution:- Pu = 1.2  20 + 1.6  40 = 88 kips.

Let wu = factored ultimate load (k/ft) = ?
Mux = B1 Mnt + B2 Mlt = B1 Mnt
w  20 
2 2
WuL
Mnt   u  50w uk  ft
8 8 DL = 20k
w k/ft
LL = 40k
Cm  1.0 ( beam with lateral forces )
P P
2
π EAg π  29000  28.2
2
w = 12  96
Pe1  2
 2
 4147
 K xl x   1.0  20  12  20 ft
   
r
 x   5.44 
1.0
 B1   1.022  1.0 (OK)
 88 
1   BC-18
 4147 
 Column Action:-
 K yL y  1 20  12
 K xL x   K yL y   Kl 
  



 77.7
 r max  ry  3.09
c Fcr = 28.9 ksi
c Pn = c Fcr Ag = 28.9  28.2 = 815.0 k·
Beam Action:-
For lb = 20 ft & Cb = 1, b Mnx = 498 k·ft (page 3 – 119 LRFD).
Actual Cb = 1.14
Actual b Mnx = 1.14  498 =567.7k·ft
Beam-Column Action:-
Pu 88
  0.108  0.2
cPn 815
Pu Mux
   1.0
2cPn bMnx BC-19
 Mux
0.054   1.0
567.7
Mux  537 k  ft
Mux  B1Mnt
Mux 537
 Mnt    525.5 kft
B1 1.022
Mnt  50w u  525.5
 w u  10.5 k/ft
1.2 DL + 1.6 LL = wu
1.2  (0.4 w) + 1.6  (0.6 w) = 10.5
1.44 w = 10.5
 w =7.30 k/ft
 DL =3.0 k/ft LL = 4.30 k/ft BC-20