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Steel Design
Dr. Kamaran S. Ismail

Compression Members and

Column Base Plates

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Compression Members Effective Length

The previously introduced K factors were developed for columns with certain
idealized conditions of end restraint, which may be very different from practical
design conditions. The table values are usually quite satisfactory for preliminary
designs and for situations in which sidesway is prevented by bracing.
Should the columns be part of a continuous frame subject to sidesway, however,
it would often be advantageous to make a more detailed analysis, as described in
this section.
Theoretical mathematical analyses may be used to determine effective lengths,
but such procedures are typically too lengthy and perhaps too difficult for the
average designer. The usual procedure is to consult either Table 5.1, interpolating
between the idealized values as the designer feels is appropriate, or the alignment
charts that are described in this section.

The most common method for obtaining effective lengths is to employ the
alignment charts shown below.

• For pinned columns, G is equal to

10.
• For rigid connections of columns
to footings, G is equal to 1.0.

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• For pinned columns, G is equal to

10.
• For rigid connections of columns
to footings, G is equal to 1.0.

The determination of K factors for the columns of a steel frame by the alignment
charts, The following steps are taken:
1. Select the appropriate chart (sidesway inhibited or sidesway uninhibited).
2. Compute G at each end of the column and label the values GA and GB as
desired.
3. Draw a straight line on the chart between the GA and GB values, and read K
where the line hits the center K scale.

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Frames Meeting Alignment Chart Assumptions

The alignment (Jackson and Moreland) charts were developed on the basis of a
certain set of assumptions. These assumptions are:
1. The members are elastic, have constant cross sections, and are connected with
rigid joints.
2. All columns buckle simultaneously.
3. For braced frames, the rotations at opposite ends of each beam are equal in
magnitude, and each beam bends in single curvature.
4. For unbraced frames, the rotations at opposite ends of each beam are equal in
magnitude, but each beam bends in double curvature.
5. Axial compression forces in the girders are negligible.

Example -1
Determine the effective length factor for each of the columns of the frame
shown below if the frame is not braced against sidesway. Use the alignment
charts.

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Solution.
Stiffness factors: E is assumed to be 29,000 ksi for all members and is therefore
neglected in the equation to calculate G.

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Frames Meeting Alignment Chart Assumptions As Joint Rotations

The Jackson and Moreland charts can be accurately used for situations in which
the rotations are different from those assumed by making adjustments to the
computed beam stiffnesses before the chart values are read.

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Example -2
Determine K factors for each of the columns of the frame shown below. Here, W
sections have been tentatively selected for each of the members of the frame and
their I/L values determined and shown in the figure.

Solution.

First, the G factors are computed for each joint in the frame. In this calculation,
the I/L values for members FI and GJ are multiplied by the appropriate factors
from Table 7.1.

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Stiffness-Reduction Factors
As previously mentioned, the alignment charts were developed according to a set
of idealized conditions that are seldom, if ever, completely met in a real
structure. Included among those conditions are the following: The column
behavior is purely elastic, all columns buckle simultaneously, all members have
constant cross sections, all joints are rigid, and so on.
If the actual conditions are different from these assumptions, unrealistically high
K factors may be obtained from the charts, and over conservative designs may
result.

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Example -3
a) Determine the effective length factor for column AB of the unbraced frame
shown below, assuming that we have elastic behavior and that all of the
other assumptions on which the alignment charts were developed are met.
PD = 450 k, PL = 700 k, Fy = 50 ksi. Assume that column AB is a W12*170
and the columns above and below are as indicated on the figure.
b) Repeat part (a) if inelastic column behavior is considered.

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Solution.

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Base Plate For Concentrically Loaded Columns

When a steel column is supported by a footing, it is necessary for the column load
to be spread over a sufficient area to keep the footing from being overstressed.

The lengths and widths of column base plates are usually selected in multiples of
even inches, and their thicknesses in multiples of 1/8 in up to 1.25 in, and in
multiples of ¼ in thereafter.

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To analyze the base plate shown in the

figure, note that the column is assumed to
apply a total load to the base plate equal to
Pu (for LRFD) or Pa (for ASD). Then the
load is assumed to be transmitted
uniformly through the plate to the footing
below, with a pressure equal to Pu /A or
Pa /A where A is the area of the base plate.
The footing will push back with an equal
pressure and will tend to curl up the
cantilevered parts of the base plate outside
of the column, as shown in the figure. This
pressure will also tend to push up the base
plate between the flanges of the column.

the AISC Manual suggests that maximum moments in a base plate occur at
distances 0.80bf and 0.95d apart. The bending moment can be calculated at each
of these sections, and the larger value used to determine the plate thickness
needed. This method of analysis is only a rough approximation of the true
conditions, because the actual plate stresses are caused by a combination of
bending in two directions.

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Plate Area
The design strength of the concrete in bearing beneath the base plate must at least
equal the load to be carried. When the base plate covers the entire area of the
concrete, the nominal bearing strength of the concrete (Pp) is

In this expression, f’c is the 28-day compression strength of the concrete and A1
is the area of the base plate. For LRFD design fc is 0.65, while for ASD design
Wc is 2.31.

Should the full area of the concrete support not be covered by the plate

Is the maximum area of the portion of the supporting concrete, which is

geometrically similar to and concentric with the loaded area. The quantity
is limited to a maximum value of 2.

You should note that may not be less than the depth of the column times its flange
width.

From a practical standpoint, designers will

often use square base plates with anchor
bolts arranged in a square pattern.

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Plate Thickness

To determine the required plate thickness, t,

moments are taken in the two directions as though
the plate were cantilevered out by the dimensions
m and n.

If lightly loaded base plates, such as those for the columns of low-rise buildings,
they will have quite small areas. They will, as a result, extend very little outside
the edges of the columns and the computed moments, and the resulting plate
thicknesses will be very small, perhaps so small as to be impractical.

Thornton proposed that the thickness of the plates be determined by the largest
of m, n, or ln’ He called this largest value .

According to Thornton it is permissible to conservatively assume l equals 1.0

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If these resisting moments are equated to the maximum bending moments, the
resulting expressions may be solved for the required depth or thickness t with the
following results, noting that b = 1 in:

Example -4
Design a base plate of A36 steel (Fy = 36 ksi) for a W12 * 65 column (Fy =
50 ksi) that supports the loads PD = 200k and PL = 300k. The concrete has a
compressive strength f’c = 3ksi and the footing has the dimensions 9 ft * 9 ft.

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Solution.

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Example -5
A base plate is to be designed for a W12 * 152 column (Fy = 36 ksi) that
supports the loads PD = 200k and PL = 450k. Select an A36 plate (Fy = 36 ksi)
to cover the entire area of the 3 ksi concrete pedestal underneath.

Solution.

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Example -6
A HSS 10*10*5/16 with Fy = 46ksi is used to support the service loads PD =
100k and PL = 150k. A spread footing underneath is 9 ft *9 ft and consists of
reinforced concrete with f’c = 4000psi. Design a base plate for this column with
A36 steel (Fy = 36 ksi Fu = 58 ksi).

Solution.

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Problem -1
Using the alignment chart from the AISC Specification, determine the effective
length factors for columns IJ, FG, and GH of the frame shown in the
accompanying figure, assuming that the frame is subject to sidesway and that all
of the assumptions on which the alignment charts were developed are met.

Problem -2
Determine the effective length factors for all of the columns of the frame shown
in the accompanying figure. Note that columns CD and FG are subject to
sidesway, while columns BC and EF are braced against sidesway. Assume that
all of the assumptions on which the alignment charts were developed are met.

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Problem -3
a) Determine the available column strength for column AB in the frame shown if
Fy = 50 ksi, and only in-plane behavior is considered. Furthermore, assume
that the column immediately above or below AB are the same size as AB, and
also that all the other assumptions on which the alignment charts were
developed are met.
b) Repeat part (a) if inelastic behavior is considered and PD = 200 k and PL =
340k.

Problem -4
Design a square base plate with A36 steel for a W10*60 column with a service dead load
of 175 k and a service live load of 275 k.The concrete 28-day strength, fc, is 3000 psi. The
base plate rests on a 12 ft 0 in *12 ft 0 in concrete footing. Use the LRFD and ASD design
methods.

Problem -5
Design a rectangular base plate for a W8 * 28 column with PD = 80 k and PL =
150 k if A36 steel is used and fc = 3 ksi for the concrete. Assume that the column
is supported by a 7ft 0 in* 7 ft 0 in concrete footing. Use the LRFD and ASD
design methods.

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