1.

Types and uses

1.1 Types of compression members

1.2 Compression member sections

2. Loads on compression members

3. Design of columns

3.1 Introduction

3.2 Compression members

3.3 Members subject to combined axial force and bending

3.4 Column in simple construction

3.5 Design of column base plates

• Compression members are one of • Described by the terms column,
the basic structural elements. stanchions or struts, all of which
primarily resist axial load.
• Columns and stanchions are
vertical/inclined members
supporting floors, roofs and
cranes in buildings.
• Columns are subjected to axial
load and moment.
• The term strut is usually used to
describe other compression
members such as those in
trusses, lattice girders or bracing.
• Compression members must • Single angle, double angles, tees,
resist buckling, so they tend to be channels and hollow sections are
stocky with square sections. common used for struts in
• The tube is the ideal shape. trusses, lattice girders and
Rolled, compound and built-up bracing.
sections are used for columns.
• UCs are used in buildings where
axial load predominates and UBs
are often used to resist heavy
moments that occur in columns
in industrial buildings.
• Axial loading on columns in
buildings is due to loads from
roof, floors and walls transmitted
to the column through beams.
• Floor beam reactions are
eccentric to the column axis, as
shown, and if the beam
arrangement or loading is
asymmetrical, moments are
transmitted to the column.

Column in multi-storey building

• Design procedure covered within
Chapter 6 in EC3.
• Design of columns are divided
into 4 parts:
1. Compression members;
2. Members resisting combined
axial load and bending;
3. Columns in simple
construction;
4. Simple column baseplates.
• The clauses (EC3) that we are
referring to in designing the
compression members:
1. 6.2.4 – compression
resistance of cross-section;
2. 6.3 – buckling resistance of
members;
3. 6.2.9 – resistance of c/s –
bending and axial load;
4. 6.3.3 – buckling resistance of
members – combined
bending and axial
compression.
• Compression members (i.e. (a) the design plastic resistance of
struts) should be checked for: the gross c/s (class 1, 2 & 3):
𝐴𝑓y
1. Resistance to compression; 𝑁𝑐,𝑅𝑑 =
γM0
2. Resistance to buckling.
(b) the design local buckling
resistance of the effective c/s
Compression resistance of cross- (class 4):
section (6.2.4) 𝐴eff 𝑓y
𝑁𝐸𝑑 𝑁𝑐,𝑅𝑑 =
≤ 1.0 γM0
𝑁𝑐,𝑅𝑑 • 𝐴eff = the effective area of
• 𝑁𝐸𝑑 = the design value of the section.
compression force. • γM0 = resistance of cross-
• 𝑁𝑐,𝑅𝑑 = the design compression sections whatever the class is
(=1.0).
resistance of the cross-section.
 Buckling resistance of members (b) For class 4:
(6.3) 𝜒𝐴eff 𝑓y
𝑁𝐸𝑑 𝑁𝑏,𝑅𝑑 =
≤ 1.0 γM1
𝑁𝑏,𝑅𝑑 • 𝜒 = the reduction factor for the
• 𝑁𝐸𝑑 = the design value of the relevant buckling mode, given by:
compression force. 1
𝜒= ≤ 1.0
• 𝑁𝑏,𝑅𝑑 = the design buckling Φ+ Φ −𝜆 2 2
resistance of the compression In which:
members. Φ = 0.5 1 + 𝛼 𝜆 − 0.2
(a) For class 1, 2 & 3: • γM1 = resistance of members to
𝜒𝐴𝑓y
𝑁𝑏,𝑅𝑑 = instability assessed by member
γM1 checks (=1.0).
• 𝛼 = an imperfection factor (Table • 𝑁cr = the elastic critical buckling
6.1, EC3). load for the relevant buckling
• 𝜆 = the non-dimensional mode based on the gross c/s
The imperfection factor is depending
slenderness. properties.
on the buckling curves 2which can be
(a) For class 1, 2 & 3: 𝜋 𝐸𝐼
determined 𝑁from
cr =
Table 6.2, EC3
2
𝐿cr
𝐴𝑓y 𝐿𝑐𝑟 1
𝜆= = × • 𝐿cr = buckling length of the
𝑁cr 𝑖 𝜆1 member in the plane under
(b) For class 4: consideration.
𝐴eff 𝑓y 𝐿𝑐𝑟 𝐴eff 𝐴 • 𝐿cr = 𝐿𝐸 : refer Table 24 in BS
𝜆= = × 5950 (EC3 provides little info. On
𝑁cr 𝑖 𝜆1
how to determine 𝐿cr .
𝐸
𝜆1 = 𝜋
𝑓𝑦
• 𝛼 = an imperfection factor (Table • 𝑁cr = the elastic critical buckling
6.1, EC3). load for the relevant buckling
• 𝜆 = the non-dimensional mode based on the gross c/s
slenderness. properties.
(a) For class 1, 2 & 3: 𝜋 2 𝐸𝐼
𝑁cr =
𝐿cr 2
𝐴𝑓y 𝐿𝑐𝑟 1
𝜆= = × • 𝐿cr = buckling length of the
𝑁cr 𝑖 𝜆1 member in the plane under
(b) For class 4: consideration.
𝐴eff 𝑓y 𝐿𝑐𝑟 𝐴eff 𝐴 • 𝐿cr = 𝐿𝐸 : refer Table 24 in BS
𝜆= = × 5950 (EC3 provides little info. on
𝑁cr 𝑖 𝜆1
how to determine 𝐿cr ).
𝐸
𝜆1 = 𝜋
𝑓𝑦
 𝑳𝒄𝒓 = 𝑳𝑬 : refer Table 24 in BS 5950
Table 24 Nominal effective length, LE for a strut
Conditions of restraint at ends (in plane under consideration) Effective length, LE
Restrained in direction at both ends 0.7L
Effectively held in Partially restrained in direction at both ends 0.85L
position at both ends Restrained in direction at one end 0.85L
NOT restrained in direction at either end 1.0L
Other end Other end
Effectively restrained
1.2L
in direction
Effectively held in
Partially restrained in
position & restrained Not held in position 1.5L
direction
in direction
NOT restrained in
2.0L
direction
• The design approach for
members subject to combined
axial (compression) force and
bending – based on the
equivalent moment factor
method.
• The ULS check:
1. Resistance of c/s to the
combined effects;
2. Buckling resistance of
member to the combined
effects.
Resistance of c/s – bending and
axial force (6.2.9)
• For Class 1 & 2: subject to an
axial force and uniaxial bending
(in the absence of shear force)
the criterion to be satisfied is:
𝑀Ed
≤1
𝑀N,Rd
• 𝑀N,Rd = the reduced design
plastic resistance moment
allowing for the axial force, 𝑁Ed .
• For bending about the y-y axis no • For larger axial loads, for standard
reduction is necessary provided rolled I and H sections:
that the axial force does not 1−𝑛
exceed half the plastic tension 𝑀N,y,Rd = 𝑀pl,y,Rd
1 − 0.5𝑎
resistance of the web: ≤ 𝑀pl,y,Rd
0.5ℎ𝑤 𝑡𝑤 𝑓𝑦 For 𝑛 ≤ 𝑎: 𝑀N,z,Rd = 𝑀pl,z,Rd
γM0 For 𝑛 > 𝑎:
• Or, quarter of the plastic tension 𝑛−𝑎 2
resistance of the whole c/s: 𝑀N,z,Rd = 𝑀pl,z,Rd 1−
1−𝑎
0.25𝑁pl,Rd 𝑁Ed
whichever is the smaller. 𝑛=
𝑁pl,Rd
𝑎 = 𝐴 − 2𝑏𝑡𝑓 𝐴 ≤ 0.5
• For bi-axial bending, • For Class 3: in the absence of a
𝛼 𝛽 shear force, the max. longitudinal
𝑀y,Ed 𝑀z,Ed
+ ≤1 stress does not exceed the design
𝑀N,y,Rd 𝑀N,z,Rd yield strength,
where for I and H sections 𝛼 = 2 and 𝑓𝑦
𝜎x,Ed ≤
𝛽 = 5𝑛, but 𝛽 ≥ 1. γM0
• Conservative approximation for • For c/s w/o fastener holes (6.2.4 &
class 1, 2 and 3 (6.2.1(7)): 6.2.5, EC3):
𝑁Ed 𝑀𝑦,Ed 𝑀𝑧,Ed 𝑁Ed 𝑀𝑦,Ed 𝑀𝑧,Ed
+ + ≤1 + + ≤1
𝑁Rd 𝑀𝑦,Rd 𝑀𝑧,Rd 𝑁Rd 𝑀𝑦,Rd 𝑀𝑧,Rd
Where: • For Class 4: the above should be
𝑁Rd = 𝐴𝑓𝑦 γM0 used, but calculated using effective
𝑀𝑦,Rd = 𝑊el,y 𝑓y γM0 (rather than actual), widths of
compression elements (6.2.9.3(2)).
𝑀𝑧,Rd = 𝑊el,z 𝑓𝑦 γM0
 Buckling resistance of members –
combined bending and axial
compression (6.3.3)
• For class 1 & 2: subjected to
combined bending & axial load:
• 𝑘𝑦𝑦 , 𝑘𝑦𝑧 , 𝑘𝑧𝑦 and 𝑘𝑧𝑧 : the
interaction factors.
• Interaction factors. 2 alternative
methods available in EC3, based-
on 2nd order in-plane elastic
stability theory .
• Only the formulation for Method
2 stated in Annex B, EC3.
𝐶my , 𝐶m𝑧 , and 𝐶m,LT : the equivalent
uniform moment factors (Tab. B3, Annex B)
• A simplified conservative
approach to the design of
columns in simple construction
has been developed by the Steel
Construction Institute (SN 048b).
• Avoids the calculation of the
interaction factors.
• Hence, for class 1, 2 & 3, hot
rolled UB and UC sections should
satisfied the following:
• 𝑀b,Rd = 𝜒LT 𝑊y 𝑓y /𝛾M1 (6.3.2.1,
EC3).
• 𝑀z,Rd = 𝑊pl,z 𝑓𝑦 /𝛾M1
𝜒z 𝐴𝑓y
• 𝑀b,Rd =
𝛾M1
• The design moments acting on
columns is recommended using
the rules given in 4.7.7 BS 5950.
• Column base plates should be
checked to ensure:
1. The bearing pressure does
not exceed the design
bearing strength of the
foundations;
2. The bending moment in the
compression or tension
region of the base plate does
not exceed the resistance
moment.
Bearing pressure and strength
𝑁Ed
bearing pressure = ≤ 𝑓j
𝐴eff
• 𝑓j = the bearing strength of the
concrete.
• The bearing strength of concrete
foundation can be determined
using:
𝑓j = 𝛽j 𝜅j 𝑓cd
• 𝑓cd = the design value of the
concrete cylinder compressive
strength of the foundation (from
EC2) = 𝛼cc 𝑓ck /𝛾C
• 𝛽j = the joint (concrete) coefficient which may be generally be taken as 2/3.
• 𝜅j = the concentration factor(= 1.0).

Area under compression

under base plate:
(a) General case; (b) Short
projection; and (c) Large
projection.
• The figure shows the effective Restraint moment
bearing areas under axially • To prevent bending failure, the
loaded column base plates. bending moment in the base
• The additional bearing width x is plate, 𝑚sd , must not exceed the
given by: resistance moment, 𝑚Rd :
1/2 𝑚sd < 𝑚Rd
𝑓y
𝑥=𝑡 • The bending moment in the base
2𝑓j 𝛾M0
plate is given by
• 𝑡 = the thickness of the base
𝑚sd = 𝑥 2 2 𝑁sd 𝐴eff
plate.
• The resistance moment is given
• 𝑓y = the yield strength of base
by:
plate material 𝑡 2 𝑓y
• 𝑓j = the bearing strength of the 𝑚Rd =
6𝛾M0
foundation.