J Y Richard Liew CE5509 Year 2012

EUROCODE 4: DESIGN OF STEEL –CONCRETE 
COMPOSITE STRUCTURES 
Composite Columns
Summary
 Composite columns may take the form of open sections partially or fully encased in
concrete, or concrete-filled hollow steel sections.
 The confinement provided by a closed steel section allows higher strengths to be
attained by the concrete. Circular concrete-filled tubes develop hoop-tension which
further increases the overall load-carrying capacity of the concrete.
 Complete encasement of a steel section usually provides enough fire protection to
satisfy the most stringent practical requirements.
 Eurocode 4 provides two methods for calculation of the resistance of composite
columns; The General Method and the Simplified Method. The General Method will
necessitate the use of advanced simulation software. The Simplified Method is covered
in this lecture. The Simplified Method is a hand calculation method and is limited to
members of doubly symmetrical and uniform cross-section over the whole height.
 It is not necessary to check for local buckling of the steel section for fully encased
sections. Local buckling of the steel section should be checked for other types of
composite cross-section.
 Loads from beams must be transmitted within a limited development length to both the
steel and concrete parts of the column section. In some cases this may require the use
of shear studs.
 The reduction of buckling resistance due to imperfections may be taken from the EC3
buckling curves. Equivalent imperfections are provided, which can be used directly as
an eccentricity of the axial force in calculating the design moment.
 It is permissible to construct simply a linearised version of the interaction diagram for
cross-sectional resistance to combinations of axial compression and uniaxial bending
moment on a composite section.
 Second-order effects can be taken into consideration approximately by applying an
amplification factor to the maximum first-order bending moment.
 It can be assumed that transverse shear force is completely resisted by the steel section.
 The resistance of a column under axial compression and uniaxial bending may be
found using the interaction diagram for cross-section resistance, subject to a reduction
factor, provided that the design moment includes the effect of member imperfection
and amplification by second-order effects.
 The resistance of a column under axial compression and biaxial bending is calculated
using its uniaxial resistance about both axes, plus an interaction check between the
moments at the specified axial force.

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Contents:
1 Introduction
2 Calculation Methods
3 Local buckling of steel elements
4 Force transfer between steel and concrete at beam-column connections
5 Use of the simplified calculation method
6 Composite columns subject to axial compression
6.1 Resistance of the cross-section
6.2 Relative slenderness of a composite column
6.3 Member buckling resistance
7 Resistance to compression and bending
7.1 Cross-section resistance under moment and axial force
7.2 Second-order amplification of bending moments
7.3 The influence of shear force
7.4 Member resistance under axial compression and uniaxial bending
7.5 Member resistance under axial compression and biaxial bending
8 Conclusions
9 Examples

References:
 EN 1990: 2002 Eurocode: Basis of structural Design.
 EN 1992-1-1: 2004 Eurocode 2: Design of Concrete Structures. Part 1-1: General Rules and Rules
for Buildings.
 EN 1993-1-1: 2005 Eurocode 3: Design of Steel Structures. Part 1-1: General Rules and Rules for
Buildings.
 EN 1994-1-1: 2004 Eurocode 4: Design of Composite Steel and Concrete Structures. Part 1-1:
General Rules and Rules for Buildings.

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1 Introduction
Composite columns may be classified into two principal types:
 Open sections partially or fully encased in concrete,
 Concrete-filled hollow steel sections.
Figure 1 shows different types of composite columns, and defines symbols used in this lecture.
Partially encased columns (Figs. 1b and 1c) are based on steel I- or H-sections, with the void
between the flanges filled with concrete. In fully encased columns (Figure 1a) the whole of the
steel section is embedded within a minimum cover-depth of concrete.
Concrete-filled hollow sections (Figs. 1d to 1f) may be circular or rectangular. The concrete
fills the section, and no formwork is necessary. Its compressive strength is enhanced by its
confinement andthis is an additional advantage for the compression resistance of the column.
bc a b = bc b b = bc c
cy b cy b
cz

h hc h = hc h = hc
y tw tf y tw y tw
tf tf
cz

z z z

b d e f
d d
t t t

y h
y y

t
z z
z

Figure 1 Typical cross-sections of composite columns

Composite columns can provide considerable advantages compared to open steel columns. For
example, a cross-section of slender exterior dimensions can resist high axial loads. Different
cross-sections of the same exterior dimensions can carry very different loads, depending on the
thickness of the steel section, the strength of the concrete and the area of reinforcement used. It
is possible to keep the same column dimensions over several storeys of a building, which
provides both functional and architectural advantages. Composite columns can also achieve high
fire resistance without additional fire protection.
In the case of concrete-filled hollow sections, the steel provides a permanent formwork to the
concrete core. This allows, for example, the steel frame to be erected and the hollow column
sections subsequently to be filled with pumped concrete. This leads to appreciable savings in the
time and cost of erection. In addition, the confinement provided by the closed steel section
allows higher strengths to be attained by the concrete. In the case of circular concrete-filled tubes
the steel, in providing confinement to the concrete, develops a hoop-tension which increases the
overall load-carrying capacity, although this is often ignored in design. Creep and shrinkage of
concrete can generally be neglected in the design of concrete-filled tubes, which is not the case
for concrete-encased sections. On the other hand, complete encasement of a steel section usually
provides enough fire protection to satisfy the most stringent requirements without resorting to
other protection systems.
Partially encased sections have the advantage of acting as permanent formwork; the concrete is
placed in two stages with the section aligned horizontally, turning the member 24 hours after the
first pour. In order to ensure adequate force transfer between the steel and concrete, it is

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sometimes necessary to use stud connectors or reinforcement connected directly or indirectly to

the metal profile. Another significant advantage of partially encased sections is the fact that,
after concreting, some of the steel surfaces remain exposed and can be used for connection to
other beams.

2 Calculation Methods
Eurocode 4 provides two methods for calculation of the resistance of composite columns. EC4 Part 1-1
The first is a General Method which takes explicit account of both second-order effects and 6.7.2
imperfections. This method can in particular be applied to columns of asymmetric cross-section
as well as to columns whose section varies with height. It requires the use of numerical
computational tools, and can be considered only if suitable software is available. 6.7.3
The second is a Simplified Method which makes use of the European buckling curves for steel
columns, which implicitly takes account of imperfections. This method is limited in application
to composite columns of doubly symmetric cross-section which does not vary with height.
These two methods are both based on the following assumptions:
 There is full interaction between the steel and concrete sections until failure occurs;
 Geometric imperfections and residual stresses are taken into account in the calculation,
although this is usually done by using an equivalent initial out-of-straightness, or member
imperfection;
 Plane sections remain plane whilst the column deforms.
Only the Simplified Method will be considered further in this lecture, because it is a hand
calculation method and is applicable to the majority of practical cases.

3 Local buckling of steel elements

The presence of concrete firmly held in place prevents local buckling of the walls of completely
encased steel sections, provided that the concrete cover thickness is adequate. This thickness
should not be less than the larger of the two following values: 6.7.5.1(2)
 40 mm;
 One sixth of the width b of the flange of the steel section.
For partially encased sections and concrete-filled closed sections, the slendernesses of the
elements of the steel section must satisfy the following conditions:

 d / t  90  2 (concrete-filled circular hollow sections of diameter d and wall thickness t);

 h / t  52  (concrete-filled rectangular hollow sections of wall depth h and thickness t); Table 6.3

 b / t f  44  (partially encased H-sections of flange width b and thickness tf);

in which   235 / f y , where fy is the nominal yield strength of the steel section.

Table 1 shows the limit values for plate slenderness ratio for steel sections in Class 2, which have
limited rotation capacity. In such cases, plastic analysis, which considers moment redistribution
due to the formation of plastic hinges, is not allowed.

For fully encased steel sections, no verification for local buckling is necessary. However, the
concrete cover to the flange of a fully encased steel section should not be less than 40 mm, nor
less than one-sixth of the breadth, b of the flange. The cover to reinforcement should be in
accordance with Clause 4.1.3.3 of EC2 (1990).

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Table 1 Limiting plate slenderness ratios to avoid local buckling

Type of cross section Nominal steel grade

S235 S 275 S 355

Concrete filled circular hollow section (d/t) 90 77 60

Concrete filled rectangular hollow section (h/t) 52 48 42

Partly encased I-section (b/t) 44 41 36

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4 Force transfer between steel and concrete at beam-

column connections
The forces transmitted from a beam through the beam-column connection must be distributed
between the steel and concrete parts of the composite column. The nature of this force transfer
from the steel to the concrete depends on the structural details and follows a load path which
must be clearly identified. The introduction length p, necessary for full development of the
compressive force in the concrete part of the column, is usually less than twice the appropriate
transverse dimension d (see Figure 2) , or one third of the column height:

P < 2d or L/3

where d is the minimum transverse dimension of the column.

L length of the column

6.7.4.2
Transfer length
p < 2d or L/3
lI
Table 6.6

d = column width

d
6.7.4.2(4)
Fin plates welded to the column section

Figure 2 Force transfer in a composite beam-column connection

For the purposes of calculation it is recommended that the shear resistance at the interface
between steel and concrete is not assumed to be greater than the following (indicative) values:
2
 0.3 N/mm for sections completely encased in concrete;
2 Fig 6.21
 0.4 N/mm for concrete-filled rectangular hollow sections;

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 0.55 N/mm2 for concrete filled circular hollow sections;

 0,2 N/mm2 for the flanges of partially encased sections;
 0 N/mm2 for the webs of partially encased sections.
The detailed design of the beam-column connection has a considerable influence on this shear
resistance, and the effects of hoop-stress, confinement and friction are intimately linked to the
connection layout used. Figure 2 shows a typical beam-column connection, and defines the
introduction length p. The force to be transferred within this length is not the total reaction force
on the connection (VEd), but only the part which is to be transferred to the concrete of the
composite column section (1-δ)VEd, where δ is the relative contribution of the steel section to the
design resistance of the composite section, defined in section 5. A part of the reaction force must
always be carried by the concrete in order for the composite column to work properly.

The load to be introduced can be divided between the components of the cross section by means
of their plastic load bearing capacities:
Ncs.Sd = NSd (1 - Na.Rd /Npl.Rd) or NSd (1 - )

Na.Sd = NSd - Ncs.Sd

Mcs.Sd = MSd (1 - Mpl.a.Rd / Mpl.Rd)

Ma.Sd = MSd - Mcs.Sd

where  is the steel contribution ratio

Ncs.Sd is the design axial load applied to the concrete and reinforcement

Na.Sd is the design axial load applied to the steel section

Mcs.Sd is the design moment applied to the concrete and reinforcement

Ma.Sd is the design moment applied to the steel section

MSd is the design moment applied to the composite column

NSd is the design axial load introduced

Na.Rd is the resistance to compression of the steel section

Npl.Rd is the resistance to compression of the composite cross-section

Mpl.Rd is the plastic moment resistance of the composite cross-section

Mpl.a.Rd is the plastic moment resistance of the steel section

Mpl.c.Rd is the plastic moment resistance of the concrete and reinforcement.

Mpl.c.Rd can be determined according to the formulas in Appendix A, without the steel profile.

If the load is applied through a connection to the steel section, the elements of the load
introduction, e.g. the headed studs, must be designed to transmit the concrete components of the
loading, Ncs.Sd and Ncs.Sd. In the case of load introduction from the concrete into the steel section,
e.g. through brackets, the respective steel forces and moments, Na.Sd and Ma.Sd must be allowed
for in the design.

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In the particular case of a concrete-encased composite column for which the bond strength
between steel and concrete is insufficient for the transfer to the concrete part to take place within
the allowable length, it is possible to use shear connector studs welded to the web of the steel
section. It is then possible to take account of the enhancement to the bond between the steel
section flanges and concrete, which is a result of the frictional forces that develop from the
prevention of lateral expansion of the concrete by the adjacent steel flanges. This additional
bond strength, acting only on the internal faces of the flanges, can be taken as PRd / 2 on each
flange, where PRd is the resistance of a single stud. The coefficient  can initially be taken as
0,50, although its real value depends on the degree of confinement of the concrete between the
flanges of the section. This assumption is only valid if the distance between the flanges is less
than the values in millimetres shown on Figure 3.

.PRd / 2 .PRd / 2 .PRd / 2

 300mm  400mm  600mm

Figure 3 Use of studs to enhance force transfer in composite

columns

The shear bearing capacity of a headed stud should be determined from the following equations,
the smaller capacity governed.

PRd = 0.8 fu (d2/4) / Mv

PRd = 0.29  d2 (fck Ecm)1/2 / Mv

where d is the diameter of the shank of the stud

fu is the ultimate strength of the material of the stud

fck is the characteristic cylinder strength of the concrete

Ecm is the mean value of the secant modulus of the concrete

h is the overall height of the stud

Mv is a partial safety factor, taken as 1.25 for the ultimate limit state

 = 0.2[(h/d) + 1] for 3  h/d  4

= 1.0 for h/d > 4.

The load introduction for concrete filled hollow sections is achieved normally through end plates,
as headed studs cannot be applied inside the section because of the small diameter. For
continuous columns with concrete filled sections it is possible to introduce the load both to the
steel and the concrete core. The following figure shows a gusset plate solution. Roik et al.
(1988) have revealed that extremely high stresses in the concrete can be accommodated below

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the steel plate, due to confining effect of the steel section.

Load introduction by gusset plate

5 Use of the simplified calculation method

The Simplified Method is subject to the following limitations:
 The relative contribution of the steel section to the design resistance of the composite
6.7.1(4)
section, given by   ( Aa f yd ) / N pl . Rd , must be between 0,2 and 0,9;

 The column cross-section must be prismatic and symmetric about both axes over its whole 6.7.3.1
height, with its ratio of cross-sectional dimensions in the range 5,0 > hc/bc > 0,2.

 The relative slenderness  of the composite column must be less than 2,0;
 For concrete-encased sections, the area of longitudinal reinforcement must be at least 0,3%
6.7.5.2(1)
of the concrete cross-section area, and the concrete cover must satisfy the following limits:
 In the y-direction: 40 mm ≤ cy ≤ 0,4 b ;
 In the z-direction: 40 mm ≤ cz ≤ 0,3 h, where b and h are defined in Figure 1(a).
It is often necessary to specify concrete cover on the basis of a more significant criterion, for
example to ensure sufficient fire resistance, but even in such cases it is expedient to be aware of
how the cover thickness specified compares to the maximum values given above.
The cross-sectional area of the longitudinal reinforcement can only be included in the calculation
of cross-sectional resistance if it is less than 6% of the area of the concrete. To ensure sufficient
fire resistance it is sometimes necessary to use more reinforcement than this, but the area of
reinforcement considered in the calculation of the resistance of the composite section at ambient
temperature is limited to 6% of the concrete area.

6 Composite columns subject to axial compression

6.1 Resistance of the cross-section
The allowable steel grades are S235 to S460 and the allowable concrete grades are normal weight
concrete C20/25 to C50/60. Under this restriction, it is acceptable to calculate the composite
column resistance using the plastic design method. However, recent research showed that the
maximum limit for concrete strength can be increased to C120, as long as the enhancement due
to concrete confinement is not included in the strength calculation.t
The cross-sectional resistance of a composite column to axial compression is the aggregate of the

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plastic compression resistances of each of its constituent elements as follows: 6.7.3.2

For fully or partially concrete-encased steel sections :
fy f ck f sk (6.30)
N pl .Rd  Aa  Ac .0,85  As (1)
 M0 c s
For concrete-filled hollow sections:
fy f ck f sk (6.30)
N pl .Rd  Aa  Ac  As (2)
 M0 c s
in which Aa, Ac and As are respectively the cross-sectional areas of the steel profile, the concrete
and the reinforcement. The increase in concrete resistance from 0,85fck to fck for concrete-filled
hollow sections is due to the effect of confinement.
For a concrete-filled circular hollow section, a further increase in concrete compressive resistance
is caused by hoop stress in the steel section. This happens only if the hollow steel profile is
sufficiently rigid to prevent most of the lateral expansion of the concrete under axial
compression. This enhanced concrete strength may be used in design when the relative
slenderness  of a composite column composed of a concrete-filled circular tube does not exceed 6.8.3.2 (5)
0,5 and the greatest bending moment Mmax.Sd (calculated using first-order theory) does not exceed
0,1NSdd, where d is the external diameter of the column and NSd the applied design compressive
force. The plastic compression resistance of a concrete-filled circular section can then be
calculated as:

fy f ck  t fy  f sk
N pl.Rd  A a a  Ac 1  c   As (3)
 M0 c  d f ck  s (6.33)

in which t represents the wall thickness of the steel tube. The coefficients a and c are defined
as follows for 0 < e ≤ d/10, where e = Mmax.Sd /NSd is the effective eccentricity of the axial
compressive force:

 e
 a   a 0  (1   a 0 )10  (4) (6.36)
 d
e
 c   c0 (1  10 ) (5) (6.37)
d
When e > d/10 it is necessary to use a = 1,0 and c = 0. In equations (4) and (5) above the
terms a0 and c0 are the values of a and c for zero eccentricity e. They are expressed as
functions of the relative slenderness  as follows:

 a 0  0 ,25( 3  2  ) ≤ 1.0 (6) (6.34)

2 (6.35)
 c 0  4 ,9  18,5  17 ≥0 (7)

The presence of a bending moment MSd has the effect of reducing the average compressive stress
in the column at failure, thus reducing the favourable effect of hoop compression on its
resistance. The limits imposed on the values of a and c, and on a0 and c0, represent the
effects of eccentricity and slenderness respectively on the load-carrying capacity.
The increase in strength due to hoop stress cannot be utilised for a rectangular hollow section
because its plane faces deform when the concrete expands.

6.2 Relative slenderness of a composite column

The elastic critical load Ncr of a composite column is calculated using the usual Euler buckling
equation
 2 ( EI ) eff
N cr  (8)
L2fl
in which (EI)eff is the effective bending stiffness of the composite section about the buckling axis

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considered, and Lfl is the buckling length of the column. If the column forms part of a rigid
frame this buckling length can conservatively be taken equal to the system length L.
The effective elastic bending stiffness (El)eff of the composite section is given by:
( EI ) eff  E a I a  K e E c ,eff I c  E s I s (9) (6.40)
in which : 6.7.3.3
Ia, Ic and Is are the respective second moments of area, for the bending plane considered, of the
steel section, the uncracked concrete section and the reinforcement;
Ea and Es are the respective elastic moduli of the steel of the structural section and of the
reinforcement;
Ec,eff is the effective secant modulus of elasticity of the concrete after consideration of
influence of creep of long-term loading;
Ke a correction factor for cracking of concrete, which may be taken as 0,6.
The long-term effective secant modulus of elasticity of the concrete is related to the
instantaneous secant modulus of elasticity of the concrete (Ecm) as follows:
1
E c  E cm (10) (6.41)
N
1  G . Ed  t
N Ed
where NG.Ed is the permanent part of the axial design loading NEd. The term  t is a creep
coefficient defined in Eurocode 2 Cl 3.1.4(5), which depends on the age of the concrete at
loading t, and at the time considered, to. For a practical building column it should normally be
sufficient to consider the column at “infinite” time, i.e.,. t = ∞. For example: if a relative
humidity 50% is for the internal condition is assumed, the creep factor ϕ(30,∞)=2.1 for t= & to
= 30 days. If significant loading is applied at age 10 days, then t=, to = 10 days and t will
increase.
(6.39)

The relative slenderness  of a composite column in the plane of bending considered is given by
N pl.Rk
 (11)
N cr
in which Npl.Rk is the value of the plastic resistance Npl.Rd calculated using material partial safety
factors a, c and y set equal to 1,0 (or, using the characteristic material strengths).

6.3 Member buckling resistance

A composite column has sufficient resistance to buckling if, for each of the planes of buckling, 6.7.3.5(2)
the design axial loading NEd satisfies the inequality:
N Ed  N pl . Rd (12) (6.44)
in which the value of , the strength reduction factor in the plane of buckling considered, is a
function of the relative slenderness  and the appropriate European buckling curve. Npl,Rd
should be calculated using equations (1), (2) or (3), but the partial safety factor for the steel cross-
section γM0 should be replaced by that for buckling of the column γM1.

The value of the strength reduction factor  may be calculated using:

1
 2
1 (13)
  [   ]1 / 2
2

in which
2
  0.5[1  (  0.2)   ] . (14)
where  (given in Table 1) is a generalised imperfection parameter which allows for the
unfavourable effects of initial out-of-straightness and residual stresses.

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The buckling curves which apply to composite columns are given in Table 1.

Buckling curve Cross-section type Table 6.5

Curve a ( = 0,21) Concrete-filled, reinforced (s/Ac<3%) or unreinforced, hollow
sections without additional steel I-section.
Curve b ( = 0,34) H-sections completely or partially encased in concrete, buckling
about the major (y-y) axis of the steel section;
Concrete-filled hollow sections either reinforced (3%<s/Ac <6%)
or with additional steel I-section.
Curve c ( = 0,49) H-sections completely or partially encased in concrete, buckling
about the minor (z-z) axis of the steel section.

Table 1. Buckling curves and member imperfections

7 Resistance to compression and bending

7.1 Cross-section resistance under moment and axial force
It is necessary to satisfy the resistance requirements in each of the principal planes, taking 6.8.3.2
account of the slenderness, the bending moment diagram and the bending resistance in the plane
under consideration. The cross-sectional resistance of a composite column under axial
compression and uniaxial bending is given by an M-N interaction curve as shown in Figure 4.
The bending moment refers to that taken about the axis of symmetry of the composite cross-
section.
The interaction curve can be determined point by point, by considering different plastic neutral
axis positions in the principal plane under consideration. The concurrent values of moment and
axial resistance are then found from the stress blocks, together with the two equilibrium
equations for moments and axial forces.

N
A
Npl.Rd
E

C Fig. 6.19
Npm.Rd

0,5 Npm.Rd D

B
M
0 Mpl.Rd Mmax.Rd

Figure 4 M-N interaction curve for uniaxial bending

As a simplification, the interaction curve may be replaced by a polygonal diagram (the dashed
line in Figure 4), joining points A, B, C, D and an optional point E. Point A represents pure
compression and point B pure bending. The plastic neutral axis at point C is symmetrical to that
at point B. The plastic neutral axis of point D coincides with the centre of the cross-section. The
point D on this interaction curve corresponds to the maximum moment resistance Mmax,Rd that can
be achieved by the section. This is greater than Mpl.Rd because the compressive axial force
inhibits tensile cracking of the concrete, thus enhancing its flexural resistance. Point E may be
necessary for increased accuracy and its plastic neutral axis lies between those at points A and C

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on the interaction curve.

The axial load and bending moment for points A, B, C and D on Figure 4 are as follows:
 Point A : Axial compression resistance alone:
N A  N pl . Rd MA  0
 Point B : Uniaxial bending resistance alone:
NB  0 M B  M pl . Rd
 Point C : Uniaxial bending resistance identical to that at point B, but with non-zero resultant
axial compression force:
f ck
N C  N pm .Rd  AC .0 ,85 (concrete - encased section)
C
f ck
 AC (concrete - filled hollow section)
C
M C  M pl .Rd

t fy
Note: fck may be factored by [ 1   c] for a circular concrete-filled hollow section.
d f ck
 Point D : Maximum moment resistance
1
N  Nc
D
2
fy fs1 f
M D  W pa .  W ps  W pc 0,85 ck
 M0 s 2 c
in which Wpa, Wps, and Wpc are the plastic moduli respectively of the steel section, the
reinforcement and the concrete. For concrete filled columns, the coefficient “0.85” may be
replaced by 1.0.
Point E is mid way between point A and C. It is often required for highly non-linear interaction
curves in order to achieve better approximation. In general, it is not needed for concrete encased
I-sections subject to moment about the major axis, or if the design axial force does not exceed
Npm.Rd. For concrete filled hollow sections, the use of point E will give more economical design
although much calculation effort is required. For simplicity, point E may be omitted in design.

Figure 5 illustrates the stress distributions the interaction curve for concrete filled rectangular
hollow sections.

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Figure 5 Stress distribution for the points of the interaction curve for
concrete filled rectangular hollow sections

7.2 Second-order amplification of bending moments

It is necessary to consider the local influence of geometrically second-order effects on an 6.7.3.4
individual member, in particular the amplification of the first-order moments which exist in the
column due to the increased eccentricity at which the axial force acts. Second-order effects on
the behaviour of an isolated column forming part of a non-sway frame can be taken into
consideration approximately by applying an amplification factor k to the maximum first-order
bending moment MEd. The amplification factor k , which is defined in SS EN 1994-1-1 , 6.7.3.4
(5), is given by:
(6.43)

k  1,0 (15)
1  N Ed / N cr ,eff
Table 6.4

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where
NEd is the design applied load.
Ncr,eff is the effective elastic critical force of the composite column based on the system
length, L , and is given by:
2 EIeff ,II
N cr,eff  (6.42)
L2
It should be noted that for the determination of the internal forces, the design value of the
effective flexural stiffness (EI)eff,II is given by:

( EI ) eff . II  0.9E a I a  0.5 E c ,eff I c  E s I s 

(Both the values 0,9 and 0,5 are specified after calibration against test data.) The design value of
effective stiffness is reduced to determine the internal forces in accordance with Cl 7.7.3.4 (2) in
EC4 Part1-1. Long-term effects should be taken into account in accordance with 6.7.3.3 (4) as
shown in Section 6.2.

β is an equivalent moment factor which is defined according to Table 6.4 of SS EN1994-1-1 as

follows:
 = 0.66 + 0.44r > 0.44 for a column subjected to end-moments;
 = 1.0 when bending is caused by lateral loading on the column.
where r is the ratio of the smaller to the larger end moments.
When axial loading and end-moments are both present,  should never be taken as less than 1.0
unless it is calculated by a more exact method.
Figure 6a illustrates the first order and the second order moments in a column bending in single
curvature under end moments. Similarly, for a column bending in double curvature under end
moments, the first order and the second order moments are plotted in Figure 6b for easy
comparison.

Figure 5a Design moments in a column bending in single curvature under

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end moments with r ≥ 0

Figure 5b Design moments in a column bending in double curvature under

end moments with r < 0

7.3 The influence of shear force

It is permissible to assume for simplicity that the design transverse shear force VSd is completely
resisted by the steel section. Alternatively it is possible to distribute it between the steel section
and the concrete; in this case the shear force carried by the concrete is determined by the method
given in Eurocode 2.
The interaction between the bending moment and shear force in the steel section can be taken
into account by reducing the limiting bending stresses in the zones which are affected by
significant shear force. This reduction of yield strength in the sheared zones can be represented,
for ease of calculation, by a reduction in the thickness of the element(s) of the steel section which
carries the shear force. This influence need only be taken into consideration if the shear force 6.7.3.2
carried by the steel section, Va.Ed , is greater than 50% of its plastic shear resistance:

V pl .a .Rd  Av f yd / 3

where Av is the sheared area of the steel section. The reduction factor which may need to be
applied to the design steel strength in the shear area is:

  2V  
2

 w  1   a . Ed
 1  (16) (6.5)
  V pl , a.Rd  
 

After applying the reduction factor  w to the design steel strength in the shear area, the method
described in Section 7.1 for determination of the resistance interaction curve for the cross-section
can be applied without change.

7.4 Member resistance under axial compression and uniaxial

bending
The principle of the EC4 calculation method for member resistance under axial load and uniaxial
moment is demonstrated schematically in Figure 7, which is a normalised version of the
interaction diagram of cross-sectional resistance in Figure 4. For a design axial compression NEd

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J Y Richard Liew CE5509 NUS-2012

the plastic section resistance MRd, which is a proportion d of the fully plastic resistance Mpl.Rd, is
indicated by the interaction curve.
N/N pl.Rd
Resistance locus of
the c ross -section
1,0

 d= NEd/N pl.Rd

Limiting value
M Sd/M pl.Rd =α d

 d= M Rd/ Mpl.Rd

fig. (6.20)
0 1,0 M / M pl.Rd

Figure 7 Resistance to axial compression and uniaxial bending

The design moment MSd is the maximum moment occurring within the length of the column,
including any enhancement caused by the column imperfections and amplification of the total
first-order moments due to the second-order “P-” effect. Under the design axial force NEd, a
composite column has sufficient resistance if 6.7.3.7
M Sd   M  d M pl . Rd (17)
(6.46)
where αM is a reduction factor, αM=0.9 for S235 and S355 steel grades and αM=0.8 for S420 and
S460 steel grades. This reduction factor compensates for the underlying simplifications in the
calculation method. For example, the interaction curve has been established without considering
any limits on the deformations of concrete. Consequently, the bending moments, including the
second-order effects, are calculated using the effective bending stiffness (EI)eff determined on the
basis of the complete concrete cross-sectional area.
It is evident from Figure 4 that values of d taken from the interaction diagram may be in excess
of 1,0 in the region around point D, where a certain level of axial compression increases the
moment capacity of the section. In practice, values of d above 1,0 should not be used unless the
moment MSd is directly caused by the axial force NEd, acting at a fixed eccentricity on a statically
determinate column.

7.5 Member resistance under axial compression and biaxial

bending
When a composite column is subjected to axial compression together with biaxial bending, it is
first necessary to check its resistance under compression and uniaxial bending individually in 6.7.3.7
each of the planes of bending. This is not however sufficient, and it is necessary also to check its
biaxial bending behaviour. In doing so it is only necessary to take account of imperfections in
the plane (for example Case (a) in Figure 8) in which failure is likely to take place. For the other
plane of bending (for example Case (b) in Figure 8) the effect of imperfections is neglected.

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N/Npl. Rd N/Npl.Rd

1,0 (a) 1,0 (b)

NEd/N pl.Rd NEd/N pl.Rd

α Mdy α Mdz

My /Mpl.y.Rd M z/Mpl. z.Rd

0  d 1,0 0  d 1,0

0 αM dy
M y .Sd/M pl.y.Rd
dy fig. (6.27)
(a) Section resistance interaction
diagram - axis of anticipated
failure (y-y). Consider
imperfections .
(b) Section resistance interaction
(c) diagram – non-failure axis (z-z).
Neglect imperfections.
α M dz
 dz (c) Biaxial bending resistance locus
of the column section under axial
compression N Sd.
M dz.S d/Mpl. z.Rd

Figure 8 Member resistance under compression and biaxial

bending

This can be represented by the two simultaneous conditions:

M y .Sd   M  dy M pl . y . Rd (18) (6.46)

M z .Sd   M  dz M pl . z . Rd (19) (6.46)

If there is any doubt about the plane of failure the designer is recommended to consider the effect
of imperfections in both planes.
To take account of the peak stresses caused by moments between the limits given by the
inequalities (18) and (19), acting about two orthogonal axes, a linear interaction formula must
also be satisfied between the two design moments. The design moments are calculated including
both imperfections and the amplification due to second-order “P-” effects.
M y .Sd M z .Sd (6.47)
  1,0 (20)
 dy M pl . y .Rd  dz M pl .z .Rd
These three conditions (18)-(20) together define the ultimate strength locus in terms of the
orthogonal design moments at the design axial compression value NEd as shown in Figure 6(c).

8 Concluding Summary
Only the simplified method of composite column design has been covered in this lecture. Its
scope is limited to doubly symmetric cross-sections containing only one steel section; it does not
apply if two or more unconnected sections are used. The more general calculation method given
in EC4 for asymmetric sections will often involve advanced analytical modelling, particularly
where no axis of symmetry exists. This is only likely to be encountered in very specialised
situations, such as corner columns where high biaxial moments are anticipated. The method
described here will undoubtedly apply to the great majority of columns in practical composite

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construction.
Composite columns are not a common feature in buildings which are currently described as
"composite". The more usual framing scheme in routine multi-storey construction is to use
composite flooring together with steel H-section columns. This tends to happen because of
practical difficulties in connecting beams to composite columns on site. The solutions to this
problem generally increase the cost of fabrication considerably, and may make an all-composite
building uneconomic. In the case of hollow sections a connection method must be devised which
avoids the need for access to both sides of the wall of the steel section. Where encased sections
are used, at least part of the concrete encasement must usually be cast on site, again because of
the need to connect members in a practical way. The use of composite columns becomes much
more attractive where the need for high strength within a small “footprint” and good intrinsic fire
resistance are considered more important than the basic price of the structural frame. For these
reasons, while they are unlikely to become commonplace, composite columns are likely to find
an increasing role in supporting the very long-span floors which are becoming more usual in
commercial construction and in tall buildings.

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10 Examples
Example: C.1 AXIALLY LOADED CONCRETE FILLED CIRCULAR HOLLOW SECTION

WITH REINFORCEMENT

Fig. C.1 Concrete filled circular hollow section for illustrative examples

 Design strengths:

fyd = 355 / 1.0 = 355 N/mm2

fsd = 460 / 1.15 = 400 N/mm2

fcd = 30.0 / 1.5 = 20 N/mm2

 Cross sectional areas:

Aa = /4 (406.42 - 381.42) = 15468.4 mm2

As = 12 x /4 (12)2 = 1357.2 mm2

Ac = /4 (381.4)2 - 1357.2 = 112891.5 mm2

 Ratio of reinforcement:

 = As / Ac

= 1357.2 / 112891.5 x 100%

= 1.2% < 4.0%

Note: if  > 4%,  has to be limited to 4% for calculation.

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 Check for local buckling:

d/t = 406.4 / 12.5

= 32.5 < 90 (235 / 355)2 = 59.6 OK

 Squash load:

Npl.Rd = Aa fyd + Ac fcd + As fsd

= (15468.4 x 355 + 112891.5 x 20.0 + 1357.2 x 400.0) / 1000

= 8292.0 kN (without confinement effect)

 Steel contribution ratio:

 = Aa fyd / Npl.Rd

= 15468.4 x 355 / 1000 / 8292.0

= 0.66 (0.2    0.9) OK

 Moment of inertia:

Ia = /64 (40.644 - 38.144) = 30030.7 cm4

Is = 2 x 1.131 x 16.02 + 4 x 1.131 x 13.852 + 4 x 1.131 x 8.02 = 1736.4 cm4

Ic = /64 (38.14)4 - 1736.4 = 102134.2 cm4

 Effective stiffness:

The long term effect should be accounted for when calculating effective stiffness. Therefore, Ecm shall be
replaced with Ec,eff. Assuming t0=30 days, RH=50% for conservation, the creep factor ϕ(∞,30)can be
obtained from EC2 Fig 3.1as 2.36.

Ec,eff=Ecm/[1+(NG,Ed/NEd) ϕt]=32.0/[1+0.6x2.36]=13.25 GPa

(EI)eff = Ea Ia + 0.6 Ec,eff Ic + Es Is

= (210 x 30030.7 + 0.6x13.25x 102134.2 + 210 x 1736.4) / 100

= 74830.6 kNm2

 Slenderness

Npl.Rk = Aa fy + Ac fck + As fsk

= (15468.4 x 355 + 112891.5 x 30 + 1357.2 x 460) / 1000

= 9502.3 kN

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J Y Richard Liew CE5509 NUS-2012

Ncr = 2 (EI)eff / l2

= 2 x 74830.6 / 32

= 82060.9 kN

 = (Npl.Rk / Ncr)

= (9502.3/82060.9)

= 0.340

 Reduction factor for column buckling:

 = 0.5 [1 +  ( - 0.2) + 2] ( = 0.21, strut curve a)

= 0.5 [1+ 0.21 (0.340 - 0.2) + 0.3402]

= 0.573

 = 1 / [ + (2 - 2)]

= 1 / [0.573 + (0.5732 - 0.3402)]

= 0.967

 Confinement effect of concrete:

Confinement effect is considered since  < 0.5 and e < d/10 (taking e = 0 cm),

c0 = 4.9 - 18.5 + 172

= 4.9 - 18.5 x 0.340 + 17 x 0.3402

= 0.575

a0 = 0.25 (3 + 2)

= 0.25 (3 + 2 x 0.340)

= 0.920

For e=0, c=c0, a=a0

Npl.Rd = Aa a fyd + Ac fcd [1 + c (t /d) (fy/fck)] + As fsd

= {15468.4 x 0.920 x 355 + 112891.5 x 20 (1 + 0.575 x 12.5 /

406.4 x 355 /30) + 1357.2 x 400} / 1000

= 8325.2 kN (with confinement effect)

Allowable axial compression =  Npl.Rd

= 0.967 x 8325.2

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= 8050.5 kN

Note: The increase in axial compression due to confinement effect

= 8325.2 / 8292.0 = 1.004 , therefore a 0.4% increase.

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Example C2: CONCRETE FILLED RECTANGULAR HOLLOW SECTION WITH

ECCENTRIC LOADING BENDING ABOUT THE MAJOR AXIS

Fig. C.2 Concrete filled rectangular hollow section for illustrative examples

 Design loading

F1 (factored) = 4450 kN

F2 (factored) = 150 kN

Design Axial Force, NEd = 4450 + 150 = 4600.0 kN

Design Bending Moment, MEd = 150 x 0.2 = 30.0 kNm

 Design strengths:

fyd = 355 / 1.0 = 355 N/mm2

fcd = 30 / 1.5 = 20.0 N/mm2

fsd = 460 / 1.15 = 400.0 N/mm2

 Cross sectional areas:

Aa = 11600 mm2

As = 4 x /4 (20)2 = 1256.6 mm2

Ac = (200 - 20)(400 - 20) - 1256.6 = 67143.4 mm2

(Neglect rounding off at corner)

 Ratio of reinforcement:

 = As / A c

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J Y Richard Liew CE5509 NUS-2012

= 1256.6 / 67143.4 x 100%

= 1.87% < 6.0%

 Check for local buckling:

h/t = 400 / 10 = 40 < 52(235/355) = 42.3 OK

 Squash load:

Npl.Rd = Aa fyd + Ac fcd + As fsd

= (11600 x 355 + 67143 x 20.0 + 1256.6 x 400.0) / 1000

= 5963.5 kN

 Steel contribution ratio:

 = Aa fyd / Npl.Rd

= 11600 x 355 / 1000 / 5963.5

= 0.69 (0.2    0.9) OK

 Moment of inertia:

major axis:

Iay = 24100.0 cm4 (from design table)

Isy = 4 x 3.14 x 162 = 3217.0 cm4

Icy = 1/12 (20 - 2)(40 - 2)3 - 3217 = 79091.0 cm4

minor axis:

Iaz = 8140.0 cm4 (from design table)

Isz = 4 x 3.14 x 62 = 452.4 cm4

Icz = 1/12 (40 - 2)(20 - 2)3 - 452.4 = 18015.6 cm4

 Effective stiffness:

To account for long term effect, the elastic modulus needs to be reduced to effective modulus. Creep factor
is obtained with following assumptions: t0=30 days, RH=50%, therefore ϕ(∞,30)=2.53. Assuming axial
permanent load is about 60% of design load:

Ec,eff=Ecm/[1+(NG,Ed/NEd) ϕt]=33.0/[1+0.6x2.53]=13.11 GPa

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 Second order effects:

M1 = 30 kNm
major axis:

β=0.66+0.44r=0.66 ≥ 0.44

(EI)eff,II,y =0.9(EaIay+EsIsy+Ke,IIEc,effIcIcy)
ry = M2/M1
=0.9 x (210 x 24100.0 + 210 x 3217.0 + 0.5 x 13.11 x 79091.0) / 100 =56295.1 kNm2
=0
Ncr,eff,II,y =π2(EI)eff,II / l2= π2 x 56295.1 / 42 = 34725.7 kN
M2 = 0
αcr,y= Ncr,eff,II,y/ NEd = 34725.7/4600=7.55 < 10 It is necessary to consider second order effects

NEd/Ncr,eff,II = 1/ αcr =4600 / 34725.7 = 0.133

ky=β/(1-NEd/Ncr,eff,II)=0.66/(1-0.133) = 0.761

 Moment due to imperfection

e=l/300=4/300=0.0133 m

Moment induced by member imperfection is NEd x e = 4600 x 0.0133 = 61.3 kNm

Note that moment due to imperfection is greater than the applied moment due to eccentricity.

β=1.0 for bow moment.

kII,y=β/(1-NEd/Ncr,eff,II)=1/(1-0.133) = 1.153

MEdy = 0.761 x 30 + 1.153 x 61.3 = 93.51 kNm

minor axis: No moment is applied. However, it is necessary to check whether minor axis is critical
axis due to imperfection. Assuming imperfection is about minor axis, and repeat above procedure:

(EI)eff,II,z =0.9(EaIay+EsIsy+Ke,IIEc,effIcIc)

=0.9 x (210 x 8140.0 + 210 x 452.3 + 0.5 x 13.11 x18015.6) / 100 =17302.3 kNm2

Ncr,eff,II,z = π2(EI)eff,II,z / l2= π2 x 17302.3 / 42 = 10672.9 kN

NEd/Ncr,eff,II,z = 1/ αcr,z = 4600 / 10672.9 = 0.431

kII,z=β/(1-NEd/Ncr,eff,II,z)=1.0/(1-0.431) = 1.758

MEdz = 0 + 1.758 x 61.3 = 107.8 kNm

Note that MEdz is greater than MEdy as P-Δ effect for moment induced by imperfection is greater due to
cross section’s critical buckling load is much smaller about minor axis. Therefore, the minor axis is the
critical axis.

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 Plastic section moduli (major axis):

Wpa = 1490.0 cm3 (from design table)

Wps = 4 x 3.14 x 16

= 201.1 cm3

b  2t h  2t  2 2 h 
Wpc =  r 3  r 2 4     t  r   Wps
4 3  2 

= 18 x 382 / 4 - 2 / 3 x 13 - 12 (4 - )(20 - 1 - 1) - 201.1

= 6280.8 cm3 (see Appendix A)

 Position of neutral axis:

Assuming no reinforcement lies within the region 2hn, i.e. Asn = 0.

Ac f cd  Asn( 2 f sd  f cd )
hn = (see Appendix A)
2bf cd  4t( 2 f yd  f cd )

= (67143.4 x 20.0 - 0) / [2 x 200 x 20 + 4 x 10 (2 x 355 - 20.0)]

= 37.7 mm

< ez = 160 mm

Hence, assumption for Asn is verified.

 Plastic section moduli (major axis) in the region 2hn:

Wpsn = 0

Wpcn = (b - 2t) hn2 - Wpsn (see Appendix A)

= 18 x 3.772 - 0

= 256.12 cm3

Wpan = b hn2 - Wpcn (see Appendix A)

= 20 x 3.772 - 256.12

= 28.4 cm3

 Plastic moment resistance of the composite section (Point B and Point C) about major axis:

Mply.Rd = fyd (Wpa - Wpan) + 0.5 fcd (Wpc - Wpcn) + fsd (Wps - Wpsn)

= {355(1490 - 28.4) + 0.5(20)(6280.8 - 256.1) + 400 (201.1)}/1000

= 659.55 kNm (see Appendix A)

 Point C in moment interaction curve:

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J Y Richard Liew CE5509 NUS-2012

Npm.Rd = Ac fcd

= 67143.4 x 20.0 / 1000

= 1342.9 kN

 Column interaction curve for the major axis:

Fig. C.3 Interaction curve for the concrete filled rectangular hollow section about major axis

N pl , Rd  N Ed
d = = (5963.5 – 4600) / (5963.5 – 1342.9) = 0.30
N pl , Rd  N pm , Rd

 Check bending capacity (combined compression and uniaxial bending):

My.Rd = 0.9 d Mply.Rd

= 0.9 x 0.30 x 659.55 = 178.1 kNm

> MEdy = 93.5 kNm OK about major axis

Repeating the above procedure for minor axis,

Fig. C.4 Interaction curve for the concrete filled rectangular hollow section about minor axis

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J Y Richard Liew CE5509 NUS-2012

hnz = 3.08 cm

Mplz.Rd = 347.0 kNm

My.Rd = 0.9 d Mply.Rd

= 0.9 x 0.30 x 347.0 = 93.69 kNm

< MEd = 107.8 kNm NOT OK about minor axis

Hence the composite column is NOT acceptable and the section should be redesigned. If the outer
dimensions of the composite column cannot be changed, you may increase the grade of concrete to C35/45
or increase the steel tube thickness to t=12mm. When necessary, combined compression and bi-axial
bending shall be checked. As required by EC4 6.7.3.7 (1), if it is not evident which plane is more critical,
check should be made for both planes to account for imperfection. If imperfection about one axis is critical,
and there is applied moment about another axis, combined compression and bi-axial bending should be
checked. This is illustrated in Example C3.

Note: You may try to include point E in calculating the bending capacity under
combined compression and uniaxial bending.

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Example C3: FULLY ENCASED COMPOSITE COLUMNS SUBJECT TO

COMPRESSION AND MAJOR AXIS BENDING

Fig. C.5 Cross section of a fully encased composite section

11 DESIGN OF COMPOSITE COLUMN TO EC4

(1) COMPOSITE COLUMN SPECIFICATIONS

Column length : 4.00 m

Column Type : Fully Encased

Effective Length : 4.00 m (y-y)

Effective Length : 4.00 m (z-z)

(2) DESIGN VALUES OF ACTIONS

Design Axial Force NEd : 3600.00 kN

Design Bending Moment about y-y (major) axis

Moment at Top Myt.Ed : 37.70 kNm

Moment at Bottom Myb.Ed : -18.90 kNm

Maximum Moment along column : 37.70 kNm

Design Bending Moment about z-z (minor) axis

Moment at Top Myt.Ed : 0.00 kNm

Moment at Bottom Myb.Ed : 0.00 kNm

Maximum Moment along column : 0.00 kNm

(3) MATERIAL PROPERTIES

3.1 Structural Steel

Nominal yield strength fy : 355 N/mm2

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Modulus of elasticity Ea : 210 kN/mm2

3.2 Concrete (normal weight concrete)

Characteristic strength fck : 35 N/mm2

Secant Modulus of elasticity for short term loading Ecm : 34 kN /mm2

3.3 Reinforcing Steel

Characteristic strength fsk : 460.0 N/mm2

Modulus of elasticity Es : 210.0 kN/mm2

Distance of rebar from y axis ez : 141.0 mm

Distance of rebar from z axis ey : 141.0 mm

3.4 Partial Safety Factors

Steel a : 1.00

Concrete c : 1.50

Reinforcement s : 1.15

3.5 Design Strengths

Steel fyd : 355 N/mm2

Concrete fcd : 23.3 N/mm2

Reinforcement fsd : 400.0 N/mm2

3.6 Shear Connectors

Introduced load : 274 kN

Total number of studs :4

Number of studs per horizontal row per side : 2

Number of studs per vertical row per side : 2

Diameter of studs : 20 mm

Height of studs : 100.0 mm

Spacing of studs : 100.0 mm

Ultimate strength of stud fu : 460.0 N/mm2

(4) CROSS SECTION GEOMETRY AND SECTION PROPERTIES OF THE SELECTED SECTION

4.1 Section dimensions and properties

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Selected dimensions and properties

Width of steel section b : 254.0 mm

Depth of steel section h : 254.0 mm

Web thickness tw : 8.6 mm

Flange thickness tf : 14.2 mm

Area of steel section Aa : 92.90 cm2

Moment of Inertia of steel section Iay : 11400.00 cm4

Moment of Inertia of steel section Iaz : 3870.00 cm4

Plastic Modulus of steel section Wpay: 989.00 cm3

Plastic Modulus of steel section Wpaz : 462.00 cm3

4.2 Reinforcement

Using 4 bars of 16 diameter, As : 804.2 mm2

4.3 Concrete area and cover

Concrete depth hc : 350.0 mm

Concrete width bc : 350.0 mm

Area of concrete Ac : 112405.8 mm2

Cover cy : 48.0 mm

Cover cz : 48.0 mm

Steel contribution factor (Aa fyd/Npl.Rd) : 0.53

(5) LIMITS OF THE APPLICABILITY OF THE SIMPLIFIED METHOD

The scope of the simplified method is limited as follows:

a. The column is doubly symmetrical

b. 0.2  steel contribution ratio,   0.9

c. The non-dimensional slenderness,   2.0

d. For fully encased steel sections, concrete cover :

cy : 40 mm  48.0  0.4 b

cz : 40 mm  48.0  0.3 h

cz : b / 6  48.0

e. Reinforcement ratio As/Ac : 0.72 %

0.3%  (As/Ac)  6.0%

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(6) DESIGN CHECKS

6.1 Plastic resistance to compression

Npl.Rd = Aa fyd + 0.85Ac fcd + As fsd

= {9290 (355) + 0.85x112406 (23.3) + 804.2 (400.0)} / 1000

= 5845.8 kN

6.2 Evaluate the effective elastic flexural stiffness

Assuming permanent load is 60% of design load.

The elastic modulus of concrete shall be obtained as:

Ec,eff = Ecm/[1+(NG,Ed/NEd) ϕt]=34/[1+0.6x2.13]=14.93 GPa

In which ϕt = 2.13 obtained from EC2 Figure 3.1 by assuming the column is an internal column with
RH=50%.

About the major axis

(EI)ey = Ea Iay + 0.6 Ec,eff Icy + Es Isy

= {210 (114000000) + 0.6(14.93)(1120531547) +

210 (15989286)} / 1000000

= 37335.5 kNm2

About the minor axis

(EI)ez = Ea Iaz + 0.6 Ec,eff Icz + Es Isz

= {210 (38700000) + 0.6 (14.93)(1195831547) +

210 (15989286)} / 1000000

= 22197.0 kNm2

6.3 Evaluate the non-dimensionless slenderness, 

Npl.Rk = Aa fy + 0.85 Ac fck + As fsk

= {9290.0 (355) + 0.85 (112405.8) 35.0 + 804.2 (460.0)} / 1000

= 7012.0 kN

Ncry = 2 (EI)ey / Ley2

=23030.4 kN

y = (Npl.Rk / Ncry)0.5

= 0.55

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Ncrz = 2 (EI)ez / Lez2

= 13692.2 kN

z = (Npl.Rk / Ncrz)0.5

= 0.72

Since both y and z <2, the simplified method is applicable.

6.4 Check for second order effect

For slender columns with small eccentricities of load, EC4 requires that a more accurate account should be
taken of the effect of long term loading on the effective elastic flexural stiffness. The method is
applicable if αcr < 10.

(EI)eff,II,z =0.9(EaIay+EsIsy+Ke,IIEc,effIcIc)

=0.9 x (210 x 38700000+ 210 x 15989286 + 0.5 x 14.93 x 1195831547) / 1000000

=18370.5 kNm2

Ncr,eff,II,z =π2(EI)eff,II,z / l2= π2 x 18370.5 / 42 = 11331.85 kN

(EI)eff,II,y =0.9(EaIay+EsIsy+Ke,IIEc,effIcIcy)

=0.9 x (210 x 114000000 + 210 x 15989286 + 0.5 x 14.93 x 1120531547) / 1000000 =

32096.3 kNm2

Ncr,eff,II,y =π2(EI)eff,II / l2= π2 x 32096.3 / 42 = 19798.6 kN

αcr,y =Ncr,eff,II,y/NEd = 19798.6 / 3600 = 5.5 <10

αcr,z =Ncr,eff,II,z/NEd = 11331.85 / 3600 = 3.2 <10

Therefore, it is necessary to consider second order effects.

β=0.66+0.44r=0.66+0.44(-0.5)=0.44 ≥ 0.44

ky=1 /(1-NEd/Ncr,eff,II,y)=1/(1-3600/19798.6) = 1.222 >1.0

Therefore, ky=1 and design moment MEd at mid-span about major axis is

MyEd = 0.44x1.222 x 37.7 = 20.3 kNm. This design moment is for use when moment due to
imperfection is added at mid-span. At column end, the design moment remains as 37.7 kNm.

 Moment due to imperfection

NEd/Ncr,eff,II,y = 3600 / 19798.6 =1/ αcr,y = 0.182

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ky,II=1/(1-NEd/Ncr,eff,II,y)=1.0/(1-0.182) = 1.222

NEd/Ncr,eff,II = 3600 / 11331.85 = 1/αcr,z = 0.318

kz,II=1/(1-NEd/Ncr,eff,II)=1.0/(1-0.318) = 1.466

ey=l/200=4/200=0.02 m

ez=l/150=4/150=0.0267 m

Moments due to imperfection are:

My,imp = ky,II x NEd x ey = 1.222 x 3600 x 0.02 = 88.0 kNm

Mz,imp = kz,II x NEd x ez = 1.466 x 3600 x 0.0267 = 140.9 kNm

Therefore, the design moments are:

MyEd = 20.3 + 88.0 = 108.3 kNm < MzEd = 0 + 140.9 = 140.9 kNm

Note that even though there is no applied moment about minor axis, the design moment induced by
imperfection makes the minor axis critical. This also makes it necessary to check against combined
compression and bi-axial bending of 20.3 kNm about major axis and 140.9 kNm about minor axis.
(Imperfection needs only to be considered about critical axis. The design moment about major axis is
taking as the greater of end moment and mid-span moment.)

6.5 Evaluate the resistance of the composite column under axial compression

Strut curve b for major axis and strut curve c for minor axis:

Φy = 0.5 [ 1+α(λy-0.2) + λy2] = 0.5 x [1+0.34x(0.55-0.2)+0.552 ] = 0.711

Φz = 0.5 [ 1+α(λz-0.2) + λz2] = 0.5 x [1+0.49x(0.72-0.2)+0.722 ] =0.887

χy = 1/[ Φy +√( Φy2 - λy2)] = 1/[ 0.711 +√( 0.7112 – 0.552)]= 0.861

χz = 1/[ Φz +√( Φz2 - λz2)] = 1/[ 0.887 +√( 0.8872 – 0.722)]= 0.712

NEd = 3600 kN  0.712 Npl.Rd = 4441.95 kN

Section is OK for axial compression

This step is not necessary as this is not applicable for composite column subject to combined compression
and bending.

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6.6 Evaluate resistance of the composite column under combined compression and uni-axial bending
Npm.Rd = 0.85Ac fcd

= 0.85x112405.8 (23.3) / 1000

= 2226.2kN

Major Axis

Plastic modulus of section in y-y axis

Wpa = 989.0 cm3

Wps = 113.4 cm3

Wpc = 9616.4 cm3

Neutral axis in web and assume hn<ey

Assume there is no reinforcement within the region 2 hn, Asn = 0

N pm, Rd  Asn (2 f sd  0.85 f cd )

hn = = 86.5 mm
0.85  2bc f cd  2tw (2 f yd  0.85 f cd )

Since hn < ey and hn < h/2-tf, assumption is ok.

Wpan = tw hn2= 8.6 x 86.52 /1000 = 64.4 cm3

Wpsn = 0.0 cm3

Wpcn = bc hn2 –Wpan - Wpsn= 350 x 86.52 /1000-64.4 = 2554.4 cm3

Plastic moment resistance of the composite section

Mply.Rd = fyd (Wpa - Wpan) + 0.5x0.85x fcd (Wpc - Wpcn) + fsd (Wps - Wpsn)

= 355 (989.0 – 64.4) + 0.5 x0.85x(23.33)(9616.4 –2554.4) + 400.0 x

(113.4 - 0) / 1000

= 443.6 kNm

Similarly, for minor axis:

Wpa = 462.0 cm3

Wps = 113.4 cm3

Wpc = 10143.4 cm3

Neutral axis in flange and assume hn<ez

There is no reinforcement within the region 2 hn, Asn = 0

N pm, Rd  Asn (2 f sd  0.85 f cd )  tw (2t f  h)(2 f yd  0.85 f cd )

hn = = 16.7 mm
0.85  2hc f cd  4t f (2 f yd  0.85 f cd )

Since hn < ez and tw/2 <hn < b/2, assumption is ok.

Wpan = 2tf hn2 + 0.25 x (h-2tf)tw2 = (2x14.2x16.72 + 0.25x (254-2x14.2)x8.62 ) /1000 = 12.1 cm3

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Wpsn = 0.0 cm3

Wpcn = hc hn2- Wpan = 350 x 16.72 /1000-12.1 = 85.5 cm3

Mplz.Rd = fyd (Wpa - Wpan) + 0.5x0.85 fcd (Wpc - Wpcn) + fsd (Wps - Wpsn)

= 355 (462.0 – 12.11) + 0.5 (0.85x23.33)(10143.4 –85.5) + 400.0 x

(113.4 - 0) / 1000

= 304.8 kNm

N pl , Rd  N Ed
d = = (5845.8 – 3600) / (5845.8 – 2226.2) = 0.62
N pl , Rd  N pm , Rd

Check combined compression and uni-axial bending about major axis:

My.Rd = 0.9 d Mply.Rd

= 0.9 x 0.62 x 443.6 = 247.5 kNm

> MyEd = 108.3 kNm OK about major axis

Mz.Rd = 0.9 d Mply.Rd

= 0.9 x 0.62 x 304.8 = 170.1 kNm

> MzEd = 140.9 kNm OK about minor axis

6.7 Evaluate resistance of the composite column under combined compression and bi-axial bending

As the minor axis is the critical axis, the moment due to imperfection is only applied to minor axis
to check for combined compression and bi-axial bending capacity:

M y , Ed M z , Ed 20.3 140.9
    0.074  0.746  0.820  1
d M ply , Rd d M plz , Rd 0.62  443.6 0.62  304.8
Section is OK for combined compression and bi-axial bending.

6.8 Transverse Shear

In the y-y direction,

Vy.Ed = (Mmax - Mmin) / L

= (37.7-(-18.9))/4

= 14.15 kN

Vply.Rd = Av fyd /  3

= 2184.40 (355) / 1.732 / 1000

= 447.7 kN

Va.Sd = 14.15 kN < 0.5 Vply.Rd

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J Y Richard Liew CE5509 NUS-2012

Influence of shear force is neglected, no reduction for web thickness.

6.9 Load Introduction

As hsc / d = 100 / 20 = 5 >4

α = 1.0

PRd = 0.8 fu ( d2 / 4) / 1.25

= 0.8 (460.0)  20.02 / 4 / 1.25 / 1000

= 92.5 kN

PRd = 0.29  d2 (fck Ecm) /1.25

= 0.29 (1.00) 20.02 (35.0 x 34 / 1000) / 1.25

= 101.2 kN

The smaller stud shear capacity governs

PRd = 92.5 kN

Frictional force for each side of the flange and the web

 (PRd / 2) = 0.5 (46.25)

= 23.1

Load distribution according to the ratio of the plastic bearing capacities

Load transfer from steel to concrete

Ncs.Sd = NSd ( 1 - )

= 274.00 (1 - 0.53)

= 128.8kN

Mplc.Rd = 0.5 fcd (Wpc - Wpcn) + fsd (Wps - Wpsn)

= 0.5 (23.33)(9616.4 –2965.5) + 400.0 x (113.4 - 0) / 1000

= 123.0 kNm

Mcs.Sd = MSd (Mplc.Rd) / Mpl.Rd

= 37.7 x 123.0 / 447.5 = 10.36 kNm

Force to be transmitted by single flange is

Nst.Sd = Ncs.Sd /2.0+ Mcs.Sd / (ha-2tf) = 128.8/2+10.36/(0.254-0.0284) = 110.3kN

Number of studs required for each flange:

n = Nst.Sd / (PRd + friction) = Nst.Sd / (PRd + PRd/2)

= 110.3 / (92.5 + 23.1) = 0.95 per side of flange

Studs provided = 2 > 0.91 on each flange required

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The number of shear connector provided is satisfactory

Provide 2 shear studs on each flange per side for load introduction. A typical view of the beam-to-column
connection is shown in Fig. C.6.

Head-plate

Shear connectors for

load introduction

Fig. C.6 Typical view of the beam to column connection

6.10 Longitudinal shear outside areas of load introduction

bc

Modular ratio

n0 = Ea / Ecm = 210 / 34 = 6.176

cz = 48 mm

βc = 1 + 0.02cz (1-cz,min/cz) = 1 + 0.02 x 48 x (1-40/48) = 1.16 ≤ 2.5

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J Y Richard Liew CE5509 NUS-2012

According to Table 6.6 in EC4, τRd is 0.3 MPa for completely encased steel section, and due to increased
concrete cover, the shear strength can use as βc τRd = 1.16 x 0.3 = 0.348 MPa.

z = hc/2 – cz/2 = 350/2 – 48/2 =151

Icy = 112053 cm4

Iy = Icy + n0Iay = 112053 +11400 x 6.176= 294512 cm4

Vz,Rd = βc τRd Iybc/(czbcz) = [0.348 x 294512 x 350 / (48 x 350 x 0.151)] /100

= 141.4 kN > Vy.Ed = 14.15 kN

Or, the longitudinal shear stress caused by the applied moment or transverse load is:

τEd = Vz,Ed x Q / (Iy x bc) = 14.15 x 1000 x (48 x 151xbc) / (bc x 294512x104)

= 0.035 MPa < βc τRd = 0.35 MPa OK.

Therefore, no shear connection is necessary outside flange.

Refer the calculation in this part to additional reading in EC4 section 6.7.4.3.

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Example C4: FULLY ENCASED COMPOSITE COLUMNS IN COMBINED

AXIAL COMPRESSION, FLEXURE AND SHEAR

Cy NSd
MSd
Cz
C35/45 Concrete; S355 Steel
VSd
Design Loading: NSd=7000 kN
Vsd= 300 kN
Major Axis: Mtop=Mbot=300 kNm
Minor Axis: M=0
Y

6m
bc=500 mm, hc=640 mm
I section: b=280 mm, h=400 mm,
tw=13 mm, tf=22 mm
Reinforcement: d=20 mm, fsk= 460 N/mm2

VSd
Z MSd

NSd

(1) COMPOSITE COLUMN SPECIFICATIONS

Column length : 6 m

Effective Length : 6 m (y-y)

Effective Length : 6 m (z-z)

(2) DESIGN VALUES OF ACTIONS

Design Axial Force NSd : 7000.0 kN

Design Shear Force VSd : 300.0 kN

Design Bending Moment about y-y (major) axis

Moment at Top Myt.Sd : 300.0 kNm

Moment at Bottom Myb.Sd : -300.0 kNm

Maximum Moment along column : 300.0 kNm

Design Bending Moment about z-z (minor) axis

Moment at Top Myt.Sd : 0.00 kNm

Moment at Bottom Myb.Sd : 0.00 kNm

Maximum Moment along column : 0.00 kNm

(3) MATERIAL PROPERTIES

3.1 Structural Steel

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J Y Richard Liew CE5509 NUS-2012

Nominal yield strength fy : 355 N/mm2

Modulus of elasticity Ea : 210 kN/mm2

3.2 Concrete (normal weight concrete)

Characteristic strength fck : 35 N/mm2

Secant Modulus of elasticity for short term loading Ecm : 34 kN /mm2

3.3 Reinforcing Steel

Characteristic strength fsk : 460.0 N/mm2

Modulus of elasticity Es : 210.0 kN/mm2

Distance of rebar from y axis ez : 260.0 mm

Distance of rebar from z axis ey : 190.0 mm

3.4 Partial Safety Factors

Steel a : 1.00

Concrete c : 1.50

Reinforcement s : 1.15

3.5 Design Strengths

Steel fyd : 355 N/mm2

Concrete fcd : 23.3 N/mm2

Reinforcement fsd : 400.0 N/mm2

(4) CROSS SECTION GEOMETRY AND SECTION PROPERTIES OF THE SELECTED SECTION

4.1 Section dimensions and properties

Selected dimensions and properties

Width of steel section b : 280.0 mm

Depth of steel section h : 400.0 mm

Web thickness tw : 13.0 mm

Flange thickness tf : 22.0 mm

Area of steel section Aa : 16948 mm2

Moment of Inertia of steel section Iay : 489457477.3 mm4

Moment of Inertia of steel section Iaz : 80555844.33 mm4

Plastic Modulus of steel section Wpay: 2740372 mm3

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J Y Richard Liew CE5509 NUS-2012

Plastic Modulus of steel section Wpaz : 877441 mm3

4.2 Reinforcement

Using 4 bars of 20 diameter, As : 1256.6 mm2

4.3 Concrete area and cover

Concrete depth hc : 640.0 mm

Concrete width bc : 500.0 mm

Area of concrete Ac : 301795.4 mm2

Cover cy : 110.0 mm

Cover cz : 120.0 mm

(5) LIMITS OF THE APPLICABILITY OF THE SIMPLIFIED METHOD

The scope of the simplified method is limited as follows:

a. The column is doubly symmetrical

b. 0.2  steel contribution ratio,   0.9

c. The non-dimensional slenderness,   2.0

d. For fully encased steel sections, concrete cover :

cy : 40 mm  110.0  0.4 b

cz : 40 mm  120.0  0.3 h

cz : b / 6  48.0

e. Reinforcement ratio As/Ac : 0.42 %

0.3%  (As/Ac)  6.0%

(6) DESIGN CHECKS

6.1 Plastic resistance to compression

Npl.Rd = Aa fyd + 0.85Ac fcd + As fsd

= {16948 (355) + 0.85x301795.4 (23.3) + 1256.6 (400.0)} / 1000

= 12504.8 kN

6.2 Evaluate the effective elastic flexural stiffness

Assuming permanent load is 60% of design load.

The elastic modulus of concrete shall be obtained as:

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J Y Richard Liew CE5509 NUS-2012

Ec,eff = Ecm/[1+(NG,Ed/NEd) ϕt]=34/[1+0.6x2.13]=14.93 GPa

In which ϕt = 2.13 obtained from EC2 Figure 3.1 by assuming the column is an internal column with
RH=50%.

About the major axis

(EI)ey = Ea Iay + 0.6 Ec,eff Icy + Es Isy

= {210 (489457477.3) + 0.6(14.93)(10433209189) +

210 (84980081.28)} / 1000000

= 214092.6 kNm2

About the minor axis

(EI)ez = Ea Iaz + 0.6 Ec,eff Icz + Es Isz

= {210 (80555844.33) + 0.6 (14.93)(6586110822) +

210 (45396013.84)} / 1000000

= 85448.3 kNm2

6.3 Evaluate the non-dimensionless slenderness, 

Npl.Rk = Aa fy + 0.85 Ac fck + As fsk

= {16948 (355) + 0.85 (303052) 35.0 + 1256.6 (460.0)} / 1000

= 15573.0 kN

Ncry = 2 (EI)ey / Ley2

=58694.7 kN

y = (Npl.Rk / Ncry)0.5

= 0.52

Ncrz = 2 (EI)ez / Lez2

= 23426.1 kN

z = (Npl.Rk / Ncrz)0.5

= 0.82

6.4 Check for second order effect

For slender columns with small eccentricities of load, EC4 requires

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J Y Richard Liew CE5509 NUS-2012

that a more accurate account should be taken of the effect of long

term loading on the effective elastic flexural stiffness. The method

is applicable if αcr < 10.

αcr,y =Ncry/NEd = 58694.7 / 7000 = 8.4 <10

αcr,z =Ncrz/NEd = 23426.1 / 7000 = 3.3 <10

Therefore, it is necessary to consider second order effects.

β=0.66+0.44r=0.66+0.44(-1.0)=0.22 (≥ 0.44), β=0.44

ky= 1 /(1-NEd/Ncry)=0.44/(1-7000/58694.7) = 1.135 >1.0

Therefore, ky=1 and design moment MEd at mid-span about major axis is

MyEd = 0.44 x 1.135 x 300 = 149.9 kNm. This design moment is for use when moment due to
imperfection is added at mid-span. At column end, the design moment remains as 300 kNm.

 Moment due to imperfection

(EI)eff,II,y =0.9(EaIay+EsIsy+Ke,IIEc,effIcIcy)

=0.9 x (210 x 489457477.3 + 210 x 84980081.28 + 0.5 x 14.93 x 10433209189) /

1000000 = 178664.2 kNm2

Ncr,eff,II,y =π2(EI)eff,II / l2= π2 x 178664.2/ 62 = 48981.8 kN

NEd/Ncr,eff,II = 7000 / 48981.8 = 0.14

ky,II=1/(1-NEd/Ncr,eff,II)=1.0/(1-0.182) = 1.163

(EI)eff,II,z =0.9(EaIay+EsIsy+Ke,IIEc,effIcIc)

=0.9 x (210 x 80555844.3+ 210 x 45396013.8 + 0.5 x 14.93 x 6586110822) / 1000000

=68053.7 kNm2

Ncr,eff,II,z =π2(EI)eff,II,z / l2= π2 x 68053.7 / 62 = 18657.3 kN

NEd/Ncr,eff,II = 7000 / 18657.3 = 0.375

kz,II=1/(1-NEd/Ncr,eff,II)=1.0/(1-0.318) = 1.600

ey=l/200=6/200=0.03 m

ez=l/150=6/150=0.04 m

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J Y Richard Liew CE5509 NUS-2012

Moments due to imperfection are:

My,imp = ky,II x NEd x ey = 1.163 x 7000 x 0.03 = 244.2 kNm

Mz,imp = kz,II x NEd x ez = 1.600 x 7000 x 0.04 = 448 kNm

Therefore, the design moments are:

MyEd = 149.9 + 244.2 = 394.1 kNm < MzEd = 0 + 448 = 448 kNm

6.5 Evaluate the resistance of the composite column under axial compression

Strut curve b for major axis and strut curve c for minor axis:

Φy = 0.5 [ 1+α(λy-0.2) + λy2] = 0.5 x [1+0.34x(0.52-0.2)+0.522 ] = 0.690

Φz = 0.5 [ 1+α(λz-0.2) + λz2] = 0.5 x [1+0.49x(0.72-0.2)+0.722 ] =0.988

χy = 1/[ Φy +√( Φy2 - λy2)] = 1/[ 0.711 +√( 0.7112 – 0.552)]= 0.875

χz = 1/[ Φz +√( Φz2 - λz2)] = 1/[ 0.887 +√( 0.8872 – 0.722)]= 0.650

NSd = 7000 kN  0.650 Npl.Rd = 8138.72 kN

Section is OK for axial compression

6.6 Evaluate resistance of the composite column under combined compression and uni-axial bending
Npm.Rd = 0.85Ac fcd

= 0.85x301795.4 (23.3) / 1000

= 5985.6kN

Major Axis

Plastic modulus of section in y-y axis

Wpa = 2740372 mm3

Wps = 334725.6 mm3

Wpc = 48124902.4 mm3

Neutral axis in web and assume hn<ey

Assume there is no reinforcement within the region 2 hn, Asn = 0

N pm , Rd  Asn (2 f sd  0.85 f cd )
hn = = 158.4 mm
0.85  2bc f cd  2tw (2 f yd  0.85 f cd )

Since hn < ey and hn < h/2-tf, assumption is ok.

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J Y Richard Liew CE5509 NUS-2012

Wpan = tw hn2= 13 x 158.42 = 326354.5 mm3

Wpsn = 0.0 mm3

Wpcn = bc hn2 –Wpan - Wpsn= 500 x 158.42 -326354.5 = 12225742.6 mm3

Plastic moment resistance of the composite section

Mply.Rd = fyd (Wpa - Wpan) + 0.5x0.85x fcd (Wpc - Wpcn) + fsd (Wps - Wpsn)

= 355 (2740372 – 326354.5) + 0.5 x0.85x(23.33)( 48124902.4 –12225742.6) + 400.0 x

(334725.6 - 0) / 1000000

= 1346.9 kNm

Similarly, for minor axis:

Wpa = 877441 mm3

Wps = 246761.0 mm3

Wpc = 38875798.0 mm3

Neutral axis in flange and assume hn<ez

There is no reinforcement within the region 2 hn, Asn = 0

N pm , Rd  Asn (2 f sd  0.85 f cd )  tw (2t f  h)(2 f yd  0.85 f cd )

hn = = 32.4 mm
0.85  2hc f cd  4t f (2 f yd  0.85 f cd )

Since hn < ez and tw/2 <hn < b/2, assumption is ok.

Wpan = 2tf hn2 + 0.25 x (h-2tf)tw2 = (2 x 22 x 32.42 + 0.25 x (640-2 x 22) x 132 ) = 61269.7 mm3

Wpsn = 0.0 mm3

Wpcn = hc hn2- Wpan = 350 x 16.72 /1000-12.1 = 611147.7 mm3

Mplz.Rd = fyd (Wpa - Wpan) + 0.5x0.85 fcd (Wpc - Wpcn) + fsd (Wps - Wpsn)

= 355 (877441 – 61269.7) + 0.5 (0.85 x 23.33)( 38875798.0 –611147.7) + 400.0 x

(246761.0 - 0) / 1000000

= 767.9 kNm

N pl , Rd  N Ed
d = = (12504.8 – 7000) / (12504.8 – 5985.6) = 0.84
N pl , Rd  N pm , Rd

Check combined compression and uni-axial bending about major axis:

My.Rd = 0.9 d Mply.Rd

= 0.9 x 0.84 x 1346.9 = 1023.6 kNm

> MyEd = 394.1 kNm OK about major axis

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J Y Richard Liew CE5509 NUS-2012

Mz.Rd = 0.9 d Mply.Rd

= 0.9 x 0.84 x 767.9 = 583.6 kNm

> MzEd = 448 kNm OK about minor axis

6.7 Evaluate resistance of the composite column under combined compression and bi-axial bending

As the minor axis is the critical axis, the moment due to imperfection is only applied to minor axis
to check for combined compression and bi-axial bending capacity:

M Edy M Edz 300 448

    0.265  0.695  0.960  1
 d M ply , Rd  d M plz , Rd 0.84  1346.9 0.84  767.9
Section is OK for combined compression and bi-axial bending.

6.8 Transverse Shear

In the y-y direction,

Vy.Ed = (Mmax - Mmin) / L + VSd

= (300-(-300))/6 + 300

= 400 kN

Vply.Rd = Av fyd /  3

= 5200 (355) / 1.732 / 1000

= 1065.8 kN

Va.Sd = 400 kN < 0.5 Vply.Rd

Influence of shear force is neglected, no reduction for web thickness.

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7 Load Allocation and Load Transfer

There are three loading condition: (a) External force to steel only; (b) External force to concrete only; (c)
External force to both materials concurrently. As shown in follows:

Nsd Nsd Nsd

Force allocation calculations are based on the plastic resistance of the composite section to compressive
normal force (Npl,Rk). In this example:

Npl.Rk = Aa fy + 0.85 Ac fck + As fsk

= {16948 (355) + 0.85 (303052) 35.0 + 1256.6 (460.0)} / 1000

= 15573.0 kN

For condition (a): V= Nsd (1- Aa fy/ Npl.Rk)

= 7000 (1-(16948 x 355/1000)/ 15573.0)

= 7000 x 0.614= 4295.6 kN

For condition (b): V= Nsd (Aa fy/ Npl.Rk)

= 7000 [(16948 x 355/1000)/ 15573.0]

= 7000 x 0.386= 2704.4 kN

For condition (c): V= Nsd |{[Ea Aa/( Ea Aa+ Es As+ Ecm Ac)] - Aa fy/ Npl.Rk)}|

= 7000 |{[210 x 16948/(210 x 16948+34 x 301795.4+210 x 1256.6)]-

[(16948 x 355/1000)/ 15573.0]}|

= 7000 x 0.134= 938 kN

7.1 Load Introduction

In this example, condition (b) is used to investigate the applicable force transfer mechanisms: (a) direct
bearing and (b) shear connection.

(a) Direct Bearing

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Load introduction length

600
2 hc= 1280 mm

Bearing Plate

The thickness of bearing plate t=10 mm, while a1=(b-tw)/2=134 mm, b1=(h-2tf)=356 mm.

N1=fcd A1=23.3 x 134 x 356 x 2= 2226.2 kN

Nd=2N1=2 x 2226.2 = 4452.4 kN > V= 2704.4 kN

O.K.

(b) Shear Connection

Total number of studs : 32

Diameter of studs : 20 mm

Height of studs : 100.0 mm

Spacing of studs : 150.0 mm

Ultimate strength of stud fu : 460.0 N/mm2

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100 mm
Load introduction length

7 x 150 =1050 mm
2 hc= 1280 mm

Shear Stud

As hsc / d = 100 / 20 = 5 >4

α = 1.0

PRd = 0.8 fu ( d2 / 4) / 1.25

= 0.8 (460.0)  20.02 / 4 / 1.25 / 1000

= 92.5 kN

PRd = 0.29  d2 (fck Ecm) /1.25

= 0.29 (1.00) 20.02 (35.0 x 34 / 1000) / 1.25

= 101.2 kN

The smaller stud shear capacity governs

PRd = 92.5 kN

Nd=32 PRd =32 x 92.5 = 2960 kN > V= 2704.4 kN O.K.

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Appendix : DESIGN FORMULAE FOR COMPOSITE COLUMNS TO EC4

(1994)

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