A Beginner's Guide to the Steel Construction Manual, 15^th ed.

Chapter 7 - Concentrically Loaded Compression Members

© 2006, 2008, 2011, 2017 T. Bartlett Quimby

Section 7.7

Compression Member Summary

Last Revised: 08/14/2017

Compressive strength is limited by:

• Material Strength
• General Buckling
• Local Buckling

Strength Limit States:

All strength limit states take the form:

The STRENGTH of a Column is computed by:

The nominal capacity of the column, P_n = F_cr A_g

• F_e = p² E / (L_c/r)² = Euler Critical Buckling Stress

• L_c = KL = Effective Length. The choice of K will depend on how the demand side of the inequality was computed.

Slenderness Limit State (SCM E2)

This serviceability limit state is not binding, but a good suggestion:  (KL/r) < 200

Computing Effective Length (SCM Commentary 7.2)

Principles of Mechanics are used to determine the effective length of columns. The effective length is a function of the overall member length, length between lateral braces, end support condition, and the arrangement of these factors relative to each principle axis.

<<< Previous Section <<<        >>> Next Section >>>