Lecture 8 Compression members Axially loaded

Compression members are not limited to just columns. Trusses and bracing members may also be designed as compression members. We will look at compression members subject to axial compression ONLY (i.e., no other stresses). Essentially, this means that loads act thru the centroid of the member along the longitudinal length of the member as shown below:

Axial Load

Compression members are designed in accordance with: AISC Spec. Chapter E p. 16.1-32 AISC Part 4

Lecture 8 - Page 1 of 9

A compression members strength is GREATLY determined by its unbraced length, referred to its Effective Length KL where: K = Effective length factor = see AISC p. 16.1-240 = usually 1.0 assuming ends are pinned L = Distance between lateral bracing, inches. The design strength of an axially-loaded compression member = cPn LRFD = where: c = 0.90 c = 1.67 Pn = nominal compressive strength = AgFcr Ag = Gross cross-sectional area, in2 = From properties Fcr = Elastic critical buckling stress Fy 0.658 Fe F IF KL 4.71 E = y rmin Fy = 0.877Fe IF KL E > 4.71 rmin Fy
Pn ASD c

K = From AISC p. 16.1-240 L = Unbraced length, inches rmin = Minimum radius of gyration (from properties) E = Modulus of elasticity = 29,000 KSI Fe =

2E
KL r min
2

The limiting slenderness ratio

KL 200 rmin

Lecture 8 - Page 2 of 9

Example 1 (LRFD) GIVEN: A W12x50 using A992 is used as a column in a building. It is laterally braced at 14-0 about both the X axis and Y axis. Use K = 1.0. REQUIRED: Determine the design axial compressive strength, cPn for the column. KL E Step 1 Determine if 4.71 : rmin Fy

KL (1.0)(14'0" X 12" / ft ) = rmin 1.96in = 85.7

4.71

29000 KSI E = 4.71 Fy 50 KSI

= 113.4 Therefore,

KL E 4.71 rmin Fy

Step 2 Determine Fe: Fe =

2E
KL r min
2

2 (29000 KSI )

(85.7 )2

= 38.97 KSI

Lecture 8 - Page 3 of 9

Step 3 Determine Fcr:

Fy 0.658 Fe F Fcr = y 50 ksi = 0.658 38.97 ksi 50 KSI = 29.2 KSI

Step 4 Determine design axial compressive strength cPn:

cPn = 0.90(AgFcr)
= 0.90(14.6 in2)(29.2 KSI)

cPn = 383.7 KIPS

Lecture 8 - Page 4 of 9

Example 2 (LRFD) GIVEN: The truss shown below uses single A36 steel L6x4x angle for all members. All loads shown are factored. REQUIRED: Determine if the truss member A is adequate based on axial compression.

L6x4x Member A 6-0

10-0

10-0

30 KIPS Step 1 Determine force in Member A: Length of member A = (10' ) 2 + (6' ) 2 = 11.66 feet = 139.9 inches

11.66' Force in member A = 15 KIPS 6'

= 29.2 KIPS Step 2 Determine slenderness factor (KL/rmin):

KL 1.0(139.9" ) = rmin 0.864"

= 161.9 < 200 OK

Lecture 8 - Page 5 of 9

Step 3 Determine Fcr from AISC Table 4-22 p. 4-322: At Fy = 36 KSI and

KL = 161 rmin

cFcr = 8.72 KSI

Interpolating at

KL = 161.9 cFcr = 8.62 KSI rmin

At Fy = 36 KSI and

KL = 162 rmin

cFcr = 8.61 KSI

Page 4-322

Lecture 8 - Page 6 of 9

Step 4 Determine design compressive strength cPn:

cPn = c (AgFcr)
= Ag(cFcr) = 4.75 in2(8.62 KSI)

cPn = 40.9 KIPS > 29.2 KIPS It is acceptable

Lecture 8 - Page 7 of 9

Example 3 (LRFD) GIVEN: A column has an unbraced length = 12-0 and is subject to a factored axial load = 450 KIPS. Use K = 1.0. REQUIRED: 1) Design the lightest weight A992 W shape using AISC Table 4-1. 2) Design the lightest weight Square HSS shape using AISC Table 4-4. 3) Design the lightest weight Round HSS shape using AISC Table 4-5. Step 1 Design lightest W shape: From AISC Table 4-1, the following possibilities may be used: Shape W8x58 W10x49 W12x53 W14x53 Weight (PLF) 58 49 53 53 KL 12 12 12 12 Design strength cPn (KIPS) 545 513 547 465

Use W10x49 cPn = 513 KIPS > 450 KIPS Step 2 Design lightest square HSS shape: From AISC Table 4-4, the following possibilities may be used: Shape HSS8x8x HSS10x10x3/8 HSS12x12x5/16 Weight (PLF) 48.7 47.8 48.8 KL 12 12 12 Design strength cPn (KIPS) 479 497 505

Use HSS10x10x3/8 cPn = 497 KIPS > 450 KIPS Step 3 Design lightest Round HSS shape: From AISC Table 4-5, the following possibilities may be used: Shape HSS10.000x0.500 HSS10.750x0.500 HSS12.750x0.375 Weight (PLF) 50.8 54.8 49.6 KL 12 12 12 Design strength cPn (KIPS) 471 516 481

Use HSS12.750x0.375 cPn = 481 KIPS > 450 KIPS

Lecture 8 - Page 8 of 9

Example 4 (LRFD) GIVEN: Same as Example 1. A W12x50 using A992 is used as a column in a building. It is laterally braced at 14-0 about both the X axis and Y axis. Use K = 1.0. REQUIRED: Determine the design axial compressive strength, cPn for the column using AISC Table 4-1.

From Table above, cPn = 384 Kips (same as Example 1)

Lecture 8 - Page 9 of 9