Job No.

CDS 153 Sheet 1 of 5 Rev

Job Title Example no. 14

Subject Continuous column in simple construction using a
Silwood Park, Ascot, Berks SL5 7QN
Telephone: (01344) 623345 UC section
Fax: (01344) 622944
Client Made by MDH Date Jun 2003
CALCULATION SHEET SCI
Checked by ASM Date Oct 2003

14 Continuous column in simple construction

using a UC section

14.1 Introduction
Design the column shown in Figure 14.1 in S275 steel between levels 1 and 2. Two
solutions are presented; the full calculation and the Blue Book approach.

Level 3
3000

Level 2
R1

R2

R3
5000

Level 1

Figure 14.1
14.1.1 Assumptions 4.7.7

• The column is continuous and forms part of a structure of simple construction.

• The column is effectively pinned at the base.
• Beams are connected to the column flange by flexible end plates.

14.1.2 Loading (factored)

F2-3 = 410 kN (axial force in column between levels 2 and 3)
R1 = 40 kN (reaction from beam 1)
R2 = 160 kN (reaction from beam 2)
R3 = 30 kN (reaction from beam 3)

The total axial load acting on the column between levels 1 and 2 is given by:
Fc = F2-3 + R1 + R2 + R3
Fc = 410 + 40 + 160 + 30 = 640 kN

77
Example 14 Continuous column in simple construction using UC Sheet 2 of 5 Rev

14.2 Member checks

14.2.1 Determine the effective lengths
About the x-x axis, LEx = 0.85L = 0.85 × 5000 = 4250 mm 4.7.3
About the y-y axis, LEy = 1.0L = 1.0 × 5000 = 5000 mm Table 22

14.2.2 Trial section

The trial section may be obtained from the member capacity tables in Volume 1[2] by
considering the axial force only (i.e. ignoring the moment due to eccentricity). This
section should then be checked for the combined effects of axial force and nominal
moment.

Try 203 x 203 x 46 UC in grade S275

From member capacity tables: Vol 1
Compression resistance Pcy = 760 kN for LE = 5.0 m Page C-7

From section property tables:

Depth D = 203.2 mm Vol 1
Width B = 203.6 mm Page B-8
Web thickness t = 7.2 mm
Flange thickness T = 11.0 mm
Depth between fillets d = 160.8 mm Vol 1
Radius of gyration about x-x axis rx = 8.82 cm Page B-9
Radius of gyration about y-y axis ry = 5.13 cm
Gross area Ag = 58.7 cm2
Plastic modulus about x-x axis Sx = 497 cm3
Elastic modulus about x-x axis Zx = 450 cm3
Elastic modulus about y-y axis Zy = 152 cm3

Local buckling ratios:

Flange b/T = 9.25 Vol 1
Web d/t = 22.3 Page B-8

14.2.3 Section classification

Grade of steel = S275 3.1.1
T < 16 mm Table 9
Therefore, design strength py = 275 N/mm2

275 275
ε = = = 1.0
py 275
For the outstand element of a compression flange, the limiting b/T for a class 1 3.5.2
plastic flange is 9ε. Limiting b/T = 9ε = 9 × 1.0 = 9.0 Table 11
The actual b/T = 9.25 > 9.0
Therefore, the flange is not plastic and needs to be checked to see whether it is
compact or not.

For the outstand element of a compression flange, the limiting b/T for a class 2 3.5.2
compact flange is 10ε. Limiting b/T = 10ε = 10 × 1.0 = 10.0 Table 11
The actual b/T = 9.25 < 10.0
Therefore, the flange is class 2 compact.

78
Example 14 Continuous column in simple construction using UC Sheet 3 of 5 Rev

For the web of an I-or H-section under axial compression and bending (the 3.5.2
“generally” case in Table 11), the limiting d/t for a class 1 plastic web is Table 11
80 ε
but ≥ 40ε
1 + r1

Fc 640000 3.5.5
r1 = = = 2.91, but –1 < r1 ≤ 1, therefore r1 = 1.
dtp y 160.8 × 7.2 × 275

80 × 1.0
Limiting d/t = = 40
1+1
The actual d/t = 22.3 < 40
Therefore, the web is class 1 plastic.

Since the flange is class 2 compact and the web is class 1 plastic, the cross section is
class 2 compact.

14.2.4 Slenderness
L Ex 4250 4.7.2
λx= = = 48.2
rx 88.2

L Ey 5000
λy= = = 97.5
ry 51.3

14.2.5 Check the compression resistance

Basic requirement Fc ≤ Pc
Pc = Ag pc (for a class 2 compact cross section) 4.7.4
Ag = 58.7 cm2

The compressive strength pc is obtained from the relevant strut curve for buckling
about the x-x and y-y axes.

Buckling about the x-x axis

Use strut curve b Table 23
For λx = 48.2 and py = 275 N/mm2, pcx = 239 N/mm2 Table 24b

Buckling about the y-y axis

Use strut curve c Table 23
For λy = 97.5 and py = 275 N/mm2, pcy = 130 N/mm2 Table 24c

Therefore, pc = 130 N/mm2

pc = 5870 × 130 × 10–3

Fc = 640 kN

640 kN < 763 kN

Therefore, the compression resistance is adequate.

79
Example 14 Continuous column in simple construction using UC Sheet 4 of 5 Rev

14.2.6 Nominal moments due to eccentricity

For columns in simple construction, the beam reactions are assumed to act 100 mm 4.7.7
off the face of the columns.

Total moment at level 2 from beam connected to column flange:

 203.2 
M2x = R2 (D/2 + 100) = 160  + 100  × 10 −3 = 32.3 kNm
 2 

Total moment at level 2 from beams connected to column web:

 t   t   t 
M2y = R1  + 100  − R 3  + 100  = ( R 1 − R 3 )  + 100 
2  2  2 

 7.2 
= ( 40 − 30 ) 
−3
M2y + 100  × 10 = 1.04 kNm
 2 

These moments are distributed between the column lengths above and below level 2, 4.7.7
in proportion to the bending stiffnesses of each length.

Stiffness of column 2 to 1 = EI/5

Stiffness of column 2 to 3 = EI/3

Assuming the same section size is used between levels 1 and 3, the ratio of these
stiffness values is 5/3. Therefore, 3/8 of M2x and M2y are transferred into column 2-1
and 5/8 of M2x and M2y are transferred into column 2-3.

3
M x(2 −1) = M 2x = 0.375 × 32.3 = 12.1 kNm
8

3
M y(2 −1) = M 2y = 0.375 × 1.04 = 0.39 kNm
8

14.2.7 Combined axial force and moment check

Since only nominal moments are applied, the column should satisfy the relationship

Fc Mx My
+ + ≤1 4.7.7
Pc M bs py Z y

Mx = Mx(2-1) = 12.1 kNm

My = My(2-1) = 0.39 kNm

Mbs is the buckling resistance moment for simple columns. For I- and H sections, it
should be taken as the value of Mb determined using an equivalent slenderness λ LT
given by:
λ LT = 0.5 L/ry
λ LT = 0.5 (5000 / 51.3) = 48.7

Note: This expression for λLT uses the actual length L and not the effective length LE.
For py = 275 N/mm2 and λLT = 48.7, pb = 241 N/mm2 Table 16

80
Example 14 Continuous column in simple construction using UC Sheet 5 of 5 Rev

For a class 2 compact cross section, M b is given by:

Mb = p b Sx = 241 × 497 × 10–3 = 120 kNm
4.3.6.4
Therefore, Mbs = 120 kNm.

6
640 12.1 0.39 × 10
+ +
763 120 275 × 152 × 10 3

Therefore, the combined resistance against axial force and moment is adequate.
Adopt 203 x 203 x 46 UC in S275

14.3 Blue Book approach

The values of Pc, Mbs and py Zy could have been obtained directly from Volume 1[2].

Try 203 x 203 x 46 UC in grade S275

14.3.1 Compression resistance

For LE = 5.0 m, Pcy = 760 kN Vol 1
Page C-131
Volume 1 does not give Pc values for LEx = 4.25 m, but the following values are
given for LEx = 4.0 m and LEx = 5.0 m:

For LEx = 4.0m, Pcx = 1430 kN

For LEx = 5.0m, Pcx = 1330 kN

Clearly Pcy is critical, therefore Pc = 760 kN

Fc = 640 kN
640 kN < 760 kN
Therefore, the compression resistance is adequate.

14.3.2 Combined axial force and moment check

For L = 5.0 m, Mbs = 120 kNm Vol 1
py Z y = 41.8 kNm Page C-131

640 12.1 0.39

+ +
760 120 41.8

= 0.842 + 0.101 + 0.009 = 0.95 < 1

Therefore, the combined resistance against axial force and moment is adequate.
Adopt 203 x 203 x 46 UC in S275

Note: Volume 1 only provides values for the terms in the interaction formula. The
interaction check itself must still be carried out by hand.

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Sheet 1 of Worked Example no. 15 follows on page 83.

82