SUST

College of Engineering
School of Civil Engineering
4th Class (Semester 8)
18-Nov-21

Design of Steel Structures

British Standards (BS 5950-1:2000)

Section-3:

Compression Members

Eng. Nyazi Tawfeeg

 Design of Steel Structures (BS 5950-1:2000) Compression Members
1. introduction:
The structural member that loaded axially in compression is generally called a compression
member. Vertical compression members in buildings are called columns, posts or stanchions.
A compression member in roof trusses or lattice frames is called a strut. Compression
members are generally transmitting axial compressive force between two points in the
structural frame, but sometimes they subject to bending moment due to eccentricity of the end
connection for struts, or un-symmetrical loading or geometry of structure for columns.
2. Cross-sections of compression members:
The compression members must resist the buckling failure therefore they tend to be stocky
in contrast to the slender and more compact tension members. Generally, the squared sections
are preferred, and the tube is the ideal shape. Usually, single angles, double angles, tees and
hollow sections are commonly used for struts in trusses, lattice girders. Rolled, compound and
built-up sections are used for columns.

3. Design of axially loaded compression members (Columns & Simple-struts):

Members in compression have a limit on their load carrying capacity which is equal to the
yield strength times the cross-sectional. Stocky members could reach this limit, while long
slender members fail at much lower loads by elastic buckling depending on the slenderness
ratio. However, most practical compression members have slenderness between these two
extremes and fail by a combination of yielding and buckling. The following sections consider
the main procedures of the design process for the axially loaded compression members.
3.1 Classification of the section:
The cross-section of most structural members is considered an assembly of flat plate
Eng. Nyazi Tawfeeg

elements. And as these plate elements are relatively thin, they may buckle locally when
subjected to compression. And this is one of the main reasons those lowering the cross-

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 Design of Steel Structures (BS 5950-1:2000) Compression Members
section’s load carrying capacity. To evaluate the load carrying capacity of the section based on
its susceptibility to buckling, the code of practice sets out (in Table-11 and -12) a practical
conservative approach suitable for most design situation. This approach classifies the sections
into four categories which are in their weakest order, plastic (class1), compact (class2), semi-
compact (class3) and slender (class4).
3.2 Effective length (𝐿𝐸 ) and slenderness ratio (𝜆):
The end restraint conditions of a strut member affecting the shape that it will buckle and
affecting its buckling resistance. And the effective length is the distance between the points of
curvature of the buckling shape.

The slenderness ratio (𝜆) is the ratio between the member effective length (𝐿𝐸 ) and the
radius of gyration (𝑟) of its cross-section; that is, 𝜆 = 𝐿𝐸 /𝑟 . The slenderness ratio expresses
the weakness of the member buckling resistance. The larger slenderness ratio the weaker
member buckling resistance.
For columns, the code of practice specified Table-22 for determining the effective length of
the member based on its end-restraint conditions, and then, the slenderness ratio can be
directly obtained by dividing the effective length by the relevant radius of gyration of the
cross-section.
For simple struts (Angles, Channels and T-sections), the code of practice specified Table-
25 for determining both the effective length and slenderness ratio of the member based on the
end connection type.
3.3 Compressive strength (𝑝𝑐 ):
Eng. Nyazi Tawfeeg

The compressive strength of a member is the ultimate load that can be sustained by the unit
area of the member cross-section. The compressive strength of a member influenced by a

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 Design of Steel Structures (BS 5950-1:2000) Compression Members
number of parameters, which are the steel design strength, slenderness ratio, axis of buckling,
section type and thickness. The code of practice specified Table-23 for determining the type
of strut curve of the member based on the member cross-section type, maximum thickness
and the relevant buckling axis. And then, the compressive strength can be obtained from
Table-24 based on the member strut curve, design strength and slenderness ratio.
3.4 Compressive resistance (𝑃𝑐 ):
The compressive resistance of a member is the ultimate load that can be sustained by the
total cross-sectional area of the member. The compressive resistance can be obtained based
on the cross-section classification as follows:
− 𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝑐𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑠 1 (𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐), 𝑐𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑠 2 (𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑡) 𝑜𝑟 𝑐𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑠 3 (𝑠𝑒𝑚𝑖 − 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑡):
𝑃𝑐 = 𝑝𝑐 𝐴𝑔
− 𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝑐𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑠 4 (𝑠𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟):
𝑃𝑐 = 𝑝𝑐𝑠 𝐴𝑒𝑓𝑓
Where:

𝑃𝑐 ≡ 𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒.
𝑝𝑐 ≡ 𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ.
𝐴𝑔 ≡ 𝐺𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑠 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛.
0.5
𝐴𝑒𝑓𝑓
𝑝𝑐𝑠 ≡ 𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑐 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑒𝑑 𝑠𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜, 𝜆 ( ) .
𝐴𝑔
𝐴𝑒𝑓𝑓 ≡ 𝐸𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛.

Eng. Nyazi Tawfeeg

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 Design of Steel Structures (BS 5950-1:2000) Compression Members
Example 1

A 152 × 152 UC 30 steel section made of steel grade S275 is to be used as a column with a clear
height of 7 m. assume that the effective length of the column is equal to its actual length, calculate
the ultimate load that can be sustained by the column.

Solution:

1) Section properties: (Green-book)

152 × 152 UC 30

𝑇 = 9.4 𝑚𝑚 𝐴𝑔 = 38.3 𝑐𝑚2 = 3830 𝑚𝑚2

𝑏/𝑇 = 8.13 𝑟𝑥 = 6.76 𝑐𝑚 = 67.6 𝑚𝑚
𝑑/𝑡 = 19.0 𝑟𝑦 = 3.83 𝑐𝑚 = 38.3 𝑚𝑚

2) Steel design strength: (Table-9)

Parameter Reference Data for applicability Value

𝑝𝑦 Table-9 Steel grade S 275, member thickness is 9.4 mm. 275 𝑁/𝑚𝑚2

3) Classification of the section: (Table-11)

→ 𝜀 = √275
𝑃𝑦
= √275
275
= 1.0

𝑂𝑢𝑡𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡
𝑅𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑑 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
→ 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑓𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 [ (𝑏/𝑇 < 9𝜀) ⇛ 𝐶𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑠 1 (𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐)
𝑏/𝑇 = 8.13
9𝜀 = 9
𝑊𝑒𝑏 𝑜𝑓 𝐻 − 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
𝐴𝑥𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛
𝑑/𝑡 = 19.0
→ 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑤𝑒𝑏 𝐹𝑐 (𝑑/𝑡 < 40𝜀) ⇛ 𝐶𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑠 3 (𝑠𝑒𝑚𝑖 − 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑡)
𝑟2 = 𝐴 ; 𝑎𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑟2 = 1
𝑔 𝑝𝑦𝑤
120𝜀
[ 1+2𝑟2 = 40𝜀 = 40

⇛ 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑖𝑠 𝐶𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑠 3 (𝑠𝑒𝑚𝑖 − 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑡).

4) Effective length (𝐿𝐸 ):

→ 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑛 𝑖𝑠 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑡𝑜 𝑖𝑡𝑠 𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ;

Eng. Nyazi Tawfeeg

𝐿𝐸 = 𝐿 = 7000 𝑚𝑚

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5) Slenderness ratio (𝜆):
𝐿𝐸 𝐿𝐸 7000
→𝜆=𝑟 = = = 182.8
𝑚𝑖𝑛 𝑟𝑦 38.3

6) Compressive Strength (𝑝𝑐 ): (Table-23 & 24)

𝑅𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑑 𝐻 − 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
→ 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑇𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 − 23 [ 𝑀𝑎𝑥 𝑇ℎ𝑖𝑐𝑘𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠 = 9.4 𝑚𝑚 < 40 𝑚𝑚 ⇛ 𝑇𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 − 24(𝑐)
𝐴𝑥𝑖𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝑢𝑐𝑘𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔 → (𝑦 − 𝑦)

𝑆𝑡𝑒𝑒𝑙 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑒 𝑆 275

→ 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑇𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 − 24(𝑐) [ 𝐷𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ, 𝑝𝑦 = 275 𝑁/𝑚𝑚2 ⇛ 𝑝𝑐 = 48.8 𝑁/𝑚𝑚2
𝜆 = 182.8

7) Compressive resistance (𝑃𝑐 ): (Clause 4.7.4)

− 𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝐶𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑠 3 (𝑠𝑒𝑚𝑖 − 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑡):

→ 𝑃𝑐 = 𝑝𝑐 𝐴𝑔 = 48.8 × 3830 × 10−3 = 186.9 𝑘𝑁

Example 2

Check the adequacy of 254 × 254 × 73 (UC) steel column section to carry a dead load of 880 kN
and live load of 270 kN if the column is made of steel grade S275. The column height is 5 m and
effectively restrained in position at both ends and in direction at one end.

Solution:

1) Design load (𝐹𝑐 ):

→ 𝐹𝑐 = 1.4𝑑𝑙 + 1.6𝑙𝑙 = 1.4 × 880 + 1.6 × 270 = 1664 𝑘𝑁
2) Section properties: (Green-book)

254 × 254 UC 73

𝑇 = 14.2 𝑚𝑚 𝐴𝑔 = 93.1 𝑐𝑚2 = 9310 𝑚𝑚2

𝑏/𝑇 = 8.96 𝑟𝑦 = 6.48 𝑐𝑚 = 64.8 𝑚𝑚
𝑑/𝑡 = 23.3

3) Steel design strength: (Table-9)

Eng. Nyazi Tawfeeg

Parameter Reference Data for applicability Value

𝑝𝑦 Table-9 Steel grade S 275, member thickness is 14.2 mm. 275 𝑁/𝑚𝑚2

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4) Classification of the section: (Table-11)

→ 𝜀 = √275
𝑃𝑦
= √275
275
= 1.0

𝑂𝑢𝑡𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡
𝑅𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑑 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
→ 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑓𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 [ (𝑏/𝑇 < 9𝜀) ⇛ 𝐶𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑠 1 (𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐)
𝑏/𝑇 = 8.96
9𝜀 = 9
𝑊𝑒𝑏 𝑜𝑓 𝐻 − 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
𝐴𝑥𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛
𝑑/𝑡 = 19.0
→ 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑤𝑒𝑏 𝐹𝑐 1664×103 (𝑑/𝑡 < 52𝜀) ⇛ 𝐶𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑠 3 (𝑠. 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝. )
𝑟2 = 𝐴 = 9310×275 = 0.65
𝑔 𝑝𝑦𝑤
120𝜀 120𝜀
[ = 1+2×0.65 = 52𝜀 > 40𝜀 __ 𝑜𝑘
1+2𝑟2

⇛ 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑖𝑠 𝐶𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑠 3 (𝑠𝑒𝑚𝑖 − 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑡).

5) Effective length (𝐿𝐸 ): (Table-22)

→ 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑛 𝑖𝑠 𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑦 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑎𝑡 𝑏𝑜𝑡ℎ 𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑠; 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑑𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑎𝑡

𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑒𝑛𝑑:
𝐿𝐸 = 0.85𝐿 = 0.85 × 5000 = 4250 𝑚𝑚

6) Slenderness ratio (𝜆):

𝐿𝐸 𝐿𝐸 4250
→𝜆=𝑟 = = = 65.6
𝑚𝑖𝑛 𝑟𝑦 64.8

7) Compressive Strength (𝑝𝑐 ): (Table-23 & 24)

𝑅𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑑 𝐻 − 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
→ 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑇𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 − 23 [ 𝑀𝑎𝑥 𝑇ℎ𝑖𝑐𝑘𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠 = 14.2 𝑚𝑚 < 40 𝑚𝑚 ⇛ 𝑇𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 − 24(𝑐)
𝐴𝑥𝑖𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝑢𝑐𝑘𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔 → (𝑦 − 𝑦)

𝑆𝑡𝑒𝑒𝑙 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑒 𝑆 275

→ 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑇𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 − 24(𝑐) [ 𝐷𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ, 𝑝𝑦 = 275 𝑁/𝑚𝑚2 ⇛ 𝑝𝑐 = 189.8 𝑁/𝑚𝑚2
𝜆 = 65.6

8) Compressive resistance (𝑃𝑐 ): (Clause 4.7.4)

− 𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝐶𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑠 3 (𝑠𝑒𝑚𝑖 − 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑡):

→ 𝑃𝑐 = 𝑝𝑐 𝐴𝑔 = 189.8 × 9310 × 10−3 = 1767 𝑘𝑁 > 𝐹𝑐 = 1664 𝑘𝑁 __ 𝑜𝑘

→ 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑛 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑖𝑠 𝑎𝑑𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑒.

Eng. Nyazi Tawfeeg

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Example 3

An angle truss member with a length of 2.5 m acting in

compression (strut) to transfer an ultimate axial load of 65 kN. The
proposed end connection of the member is bolted as shown in the
figure. Check the adequacy of the member cross-section shown
assuming S 275 steel grade.

Solution:

1) Design load (𝐹𝑐 ):

→ 𝐹𝑐 = 65 𝑘𝑁
2) Section properties: (Green-book)

100 × 75 × 10 Angle

𝑡 = 10 𝑚𝑚 𝐴𝑔 = 16.6 𝑐𝑚2 = 1660 𝑚𝑚2

𝑏/𝑡 = 75/10 = 7.5 𝑟𝑥 = 3.12 𝑐𝑚 = 31.2 𝑚𝑚
𝑑/𝑡 = 100/10 = 10 𝑟𝑦 = 2.16 𝑐𝑚 = 21.6 𝑚𝑚
(𝑏 + 𝑑)/𝑡 = (75 + 100)/10 = 17.5 𝑟𝑣 = 1.59 𝑐𝑚 = 15.9 𝑚𝑚

3) Steel design strength: (Table-9)

Parameter Reference Data for applicability Value

𝑝𝑦 Table-9 Steel grade S 275, member thickness is 10 mm. 275 𝑁/𝑚𝑚2

4) Classification of the section: (Table-11)

→ 𝜀 = √275
𝑃𝑦
= √275
275
= 1.0

𝐴𝑥𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛
𝑏/𝑡 < 15𝜀
𝑏/𝑡 = 7.5
→ 𝑆𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 [ ( 𝑑/𝑡 < 15𝜀 ) ⇛ 𝐶𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑠 3 (𝑠𝑒𝑚𝑖 − 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝. )
𝑑/𝑡 = 10
(𝑏 + 𝑑)/𝑡 < 24𝜀
(𝑏 + 𝑑)/𝑡 = 17.5

⇛ 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑖𝑠 𝐶𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑠 3 (𝑠𝑒𝑚𝑖 − 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑡).

5) Slenderness ratio (𝜆): (Table-25)

→ 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑡 𝑚𝑒𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑠 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑪𝒍𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝟒. 𝟕. 𝟏𝟎. 𝟐𝐜):

Eng. Nyazi Tawfeeg

1.0𝐿𝑣 1.0×2500 0.7𝐿𝑣 0.7×2500

𝑣 − 𝑣 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠: = = 157.2 , + 15 = + 15 = 125.1
𝑟𝑣 15.9 𝑟𝑣 15.9

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 Design of Steel Structures (BS 5950-1:2000) Compression Members
1.0𝐿𝑎 1.0×2500 0.7𝐿𝑎 0.7×2500
𝑎 − 𝑎 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠 (𝑦 − 𝑦): = = 115.7 , + 30 = + 30 = 111.0
𝑟𝑎 21.6 𝑟𝑎 21.6

1.0𝐿𝑏 1.0×2500 0.7𝐿𝑏 0.7×2500

𝑏 − 𝑏 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠 (𝑥 − 𝑥): = = 80.1 , + 30 = + 30 = 86.1
𝑟𝑏 31.2 𝑟𝑏 31.2

→ 𝜆𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 157.2

6) Compressive Strength (𝑝𝑐 ): (Table-23 & 24)

→ 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑇𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 − 23 [ 𝑅𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 ⇛ 𝑇𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 − 24(𝑐)

𝑆𝑡𝑒𝑒𝑙 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑒 𝑆 275

→ 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑇𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 − 24(𝑐) [ 𝐷𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ, 𝑝𝑦 = 275 𝑁/𝑚𝑚2 ⇛ 𝑝𝑐 = 63.2 𝑁/𝑚𝑚2
𝜆 = 157.2

7) Compressive resistance (𝑃𝑐 ): (Clause 4.7.4 & 4.7.10.2c)

− 𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝐶𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑠 3 (𝑠𝑒𝑚𝑖 − 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑡):

→ 𝑃𝑐 = 𝑝𝑐 𝐴𝑔

− 𝐴𝑛𝑑 𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑏𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 80% (𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑒𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑛𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑏𝑜𝑙𝑡):

→ 𝑃𝑐 = 0.8(𝑝𝑐 𝐴𝑔 ) = 0.8(63.2 × 1660) × 10−3 = 83.9 𝑘𝑁 > 𝐹𝑐 = 65 𝑘𝑁 __ 𝑜𝑘

→ 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑠𝑠 𝑚𝑒𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑖𝑠 𝑎𝑑𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑒.

Example 4

A compression member with a length of 2 m and composed

of two angles connected back to back every 0.5 m (𝑙𝑣 = 0.5 𝑚),
and the space between angles is 15 mm. The member end
connection is welded as shown in the figure. Considering S 355
steel grade, calculate the ultimate capacity of the member.

Solution:

1) Section properties: (Green-book)

2 N0. 200 × 150 × 18 Angle

𝑡 = 18 𝑚𝑚 𝐴𝑔 = 120 𝑐𝑚2 = 12000 𝑚𝑚2

𝑏/𝑡 = 150/18 = 8.3 𝑟𝑥 = 6.30 𝑐𝑚 = 63.0 𝑚𝑚
Eng. Nyazi Tawfeeg

𝑑/𝑡 = 200/18 = 11.1 𝑟𝑦 = 6.36 𝑐𝑚 = 63.6 𝑚𝑚

(𝑏 + 𝑑)/𝑡 = (150 + 200)/18 = 19.4 𝑟𝑣 = 3.22 𝑐𝑚 = 32.2 𝑚𝑚

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 Design of Steel Structures (BS 5950-1:2000) Compression Members
2) Steel design strength: (Table-9)

Parameter Reference Data for applicability Value

𝑝𝑦 Table-9 Steel grade S 355, member thickness is 18 mm. 345 𝑁/𝑚𝑚2

3) Classification of the section: (Table-11)

→ 𝜀 = √275
𝑃𝑦
= √275
345
= 0.89

𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒𝑠 𝐼𝑛 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑐𝑡
𝑂𝑢𝑡𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑙𝑒𝑔 ( )
→ 𝐷𝑜𝑢𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 [ 𝑏𝑎𝑐𝑘 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑎𝑐𝑘 (𝑏/𝑡 < 10𝜀) ⇛ 𝐶𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑠 2 (𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑡)
𝑏/𝑡 = 8.3
10𝜀 = 10 × 0.89 = 8.9

⇛ 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑖𝑠 𝐶𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑠 2 (𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑡).

4) Slenderness ratio (𝜆): (Table-25)

→ 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑡 𝑚𝑒𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑠 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑪𝒍𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝟒. 𝟕. 𝟏𝟎. 𝟑𝐜):

𝐿𝑣 500
𝜆𝑐 = = 32.2 = 15.5
𝑟𝑣

0.85𝐿𝑥 0.85×2000 0.7𝐿𝑥 0.7×2000

𝑥 − 𝑥 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠: = = 27.0 , + 30 = + 30 = 52.2
𝑟𝑥 63 𝑟𝑥 63

2 2
𝐿
𝑦 − 𝑦 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠: √( 𝑦 ) + 𝜆𝑐 2 = √(2000) + 15.52 = 35.1 , 1.4𝜆𝑐 = 1.4(15.5) = 21.7
𝑟 𝑦 63.6

→ 𝜆𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 52.2

5) Compressive Strength (𝑝𝑐 ): (Table-23 & 24)

→ 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑇𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 − 23 [ 𝑅𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 ⇛ 𝑇𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 − 24(𝑐)

𝑆𝑡𝑒𝑒𝑙 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑒 𝑆 355

→ 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑇𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 − 24(𝑐) [ 𝐷𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ, 𝑝𝑦 = 345 𝑁/𝑚𝑚2 ⇛ 𝑝𝑐 = 262.5 𝑁/𝑚𝑚2
𝜆 = 52.2

6) Compressive resistance (𝑃𝑐 ): (Clause 4.7.4)

− 𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝐶𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑠 2 (𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑡):

→ 𝑃𝑐 = 𝑝𝑐 𝐴𝑔 = 262.5 × 12000 × 10−3 = 3150 𝑘𝑁

Eng. Nyazi Tawfeeg

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