A Beginner's Guide to the Steel Construction Manual, 13^th ed. (old)

Chapter 7 - Concentrically Loaded Compression Members

© 2006, 2008 T. Bartlett Quimby

Section 7.3

Limit State of Flexural Buckling for Compact and Non-compact Sections

Last Revised: 11/04/2014

The flexural buckling strength for compact and non-compact sections (i.e. those sections that do not have slender elements as defined by SCM B4) limit state is found in SCM specification E3.  The equations have changed since the prior version of the specification (LRFD & ASD) however the results are very similar.  See the commentary on SCM page 16.1-258 for more discussion on this.

Since this limit state only applies for compact and non-compact sections, the SCM B4 criteria must be checked to make sure that the chosen section is not slender before applying this limit state.

The Limit State

The basic limit state follows the standard form.  The statement of the limit states and the associated reduction factor and factor of safety are given here:

The values of P_u and P_a are the LRFD and ASD factored loads, respectively, applied to the column. 

In this case, P_n is the nominal compressive strength of the member is computed using SCM equation J3-1:

P_n = F_crA_g

Where:

• F_cr is the flexural buckling stress.
• A_g is the gross cross sectional area of the member.

The SCM specification has two formulas for determining the flexural buckling stress.  The first equation, E3-2, covers both the plastic and inelastic buckling regions of the typical buckling strength curve as shown in Figure 6.1.3.  The second equation, E3-3, covers the slender region.  Figure 7.3.1 shows how the SCM equations for F_cr vary with slenderness.

Figure 7.3.1
F_cr vs. Slenderness
Click on image for larger view

The criteria for selecting which formula to use is based on either the slenderness ratio for the member or the relationship between the Euler buckling stress and the yield stress of the material.  The selection, as found in SCM E3, can be stated as:

if (KL/r < 4.71*sqrt(E/F_y)) or (F_e > 0.44F_y) then
    use SCM Equation E3-2
else
    use SCM Equation E3-3

The equations require you to compute the theoretical Euler buckling stress, F_e, for the member.  This can be done by using SCM equation E3-4 or by more advanced methods that consider frame stability as provided for in SCM section C2.  The other advanced methods for computing F_e are not covered in this text.

Sample Spreadsheet Calculation

The following spreadsheet example computes the nominal capacity of a W section column according to the requirements of SCM section E3.  The values in shaded cells were computed before reaching this point. 

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