DESIGN OF BEAM-COLUMNS-II

14 DESIGN OF BEAM-COLUMNS - II

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Beam-columns are members subjected to combined bending and axial compression.

Their behaviour under uniaxial bending, biaxial bending and torsional flexural buckling
were discussed in Part I on this topic in the previous chapter. It was shown that a range
of behaviour varying from flexural yielding to torsional flexural or flexural buckling is
possible.
In this chapter evaluation of strength of beam-columns is discussed. The steps in the
analysis of strength of beam-column are presented along with an example.

2.0 STRENGTH OF BEAM-COLUMNS

The discussions in the part I of this topic, clearly indicated that the behaviour of beam-
columns is fairly complex, particularly at the ultimate stage and hence exact evaluation of
the strength would require fairly complex analysis. However, for design purposes,
simplified equations are available, using which it is possible to obtain the strength of
members, conservatively. These are discussed below.

2.1 Modes of Failure

The following are the possible modes of failure of beam-columns

2.1.1 Local section failure

This is usually encountered in the case of short, stocky beam columns (λ/r << 50) with
relatively smaller axial compression ratio (P/Pd < 0.33) and beam-columns bent in
reverse curvature.
• The strength of the end section reached under combined axial force and bending
moment, governs the failure.
• The strength of the section may be governed by plastic buckling of plate elements
in the case of plastic, compact and semi-compact sections or the elastic buckling of
plate elements in the case of slender sections (see the chapter on plate buckling).

2.1.2 Overall instability failure under flexural yielding

This type of failure is encountered in the case of all members subjected to larger
compression (P/Pd > 0.5) and single curvature bending about the minor axis as well as
not very slender members subjected to axial compression and single curvature bending
about the major axis.

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• The member fails by reaching the strength of the member at a section over the length
of the member, under the combined axial compression and magnified bending
moment.

• In the case of weak axis bending of slender members (λ/r > 80), the failure may be by
weak axis buckling, or failure of the maximum moment section under the combined
effect of axial force and magnified moment.
• The section failure may be due to elastic or plastic plate buckling depending on the
slenderness ratio (b/t) of the plate (See the chapter on plate buckling).
2.1.3 Overall instability by torsional flexural buckling
This is common in slender members (λ/r>80) subjected to large compression (P/Pd>0.5)
and uniaxial bending about the major axis or biaxial bending.
• At the ultimate stage the member undergoes biaxial bending and torsional instability
mode of failure.
2.1.4 Design Equations as per IS: 800
The design code specifies, as given below, the linear interaction equations to check the
section strength to prevent local section failure as well as member failure by flexural
yielding and torsional flexural buckling. These are conservative simplifications of the
non-linear failure envelopes discussed in the previous chapter.
2.2.1 Local section failure

The Indian Standard Specification IS: 800 clearly deals with all types of members and
mainly classifies the members in two groups, namely Plastic and Compact Sections and
Semi-Compact sections. The strength of Slender Members may be analysed by following
the procedure discussed in the chapters on cold-formed steel members.

IS: 800 states that under combined axial force and bending moment section strength as
governed by material failure and member strength as governed by buckling failure have
to be checked as given below;
1. Section Strength
Plastic and Compact Sections ─ In the design of members subjected to combined axial
force (tension or compression) and bending moment, the following should be satisfied
α α
⎛ My ⎞ 1 ⎛ Mz ⎞
2

⎜ ⎟ ⎜
+⎜ ⎟
⎜M ⎟ M ⎟ ≤ 1.0 (1)
⎝ ndy ⎠ ⎝ ndz ⎠
Conservatively, the following equation may be used under combined axial force and
bending moment
P My Mz
+ + ≤1.0 (2)
Pd M dy M dz

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where
My, Mz = factored applied moments about the minor and major axis of the cross
section, respectively
Mndy, Mndz = design reduced flexural strength under combined axial force and the
respective uniaxial moment acting alone
P= factored applied axial force
Pd = design strength in compression due to yielding given by
Pd = Ag f y / γ m 0
Mdy, Mdz = design strength under corresponding moment acting alone
Ag = gross area of the cross section
α1, α2 = constants as given in Table 1
n = N / Nd
Table: 1 Constants α1 and α2
Section α1 α2
I and Channel 5n ≥ 1 2
Circular tubes 2 2
Rectangular tubes 1.66/(1-1.13n2)< 6 1.66/(1-1.13n2) < 6
Solid rectangles 1.73+1.8n3 1.73+1.8 n3

For plastic and compact sections without bolts holes, the following approximations may
be used for evaluating Mndy and Mndz:
a) Plates
Mnd =Md (1-n2)

b) Welded I or H sections
⎡ ⎛ n − a ⎞2 ⎤
M ndy = M dy ⎢1 − ⎜ ⎟ ⎥ ≤ M dy
⎣⎢ ⎝ 1 − a ⎠ ⎦⎥
Mndz = Mdz (1-n) / (1-0.5a) ≤ Mdz

where n = P / Pd and a = (A - 2 b tf ) / A ≤ 0.5

c) For standard I or H sections

for n < 0.2 Mndy = Mdy\
for n>0.2 Mndy = 1.56 Mdy (1-n) (n+0.6)
Mndz = 1.11 Mdz (1-n) ≤ Mdz

d) For Rectangular Hollow sections and Welded Box sections −

When the section is symmetric about both axes and without bolt holes
Mndy = Mdy (1-n) / (1-0.5af) ≤ Mdy

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Mndz = Mdz (1-n) / (1-0.5aw) ≤ Mdz

where
aw = (A - 2 b tf ) / A ≤ 0.5
af = (A-2 h tw) / A ≤ 0.5

e) Circular Hollow Tubes without Bolt Holes

Mnd = 1.04 Md (1-n1.7) ≤ Md

Semi-compact section − In the absence of high shear force semi-compact section design
is satisfactory under combined axial force and bending, if the maximum longitudinal
stress under combined axial force and bending,
fBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBx, satisfies the following criteria.
fx ≤ fy /γm0
For cross section without holes, the above criteria reduces to
P My Mz
+ + ≤ 1 .0 (3)
Pd M dy M dz
where
Pd, Mdy, Mdz are as defined earlier

2. Overall Member Strength

Members subjected to combined axial compression and moment shall be checked for
overall buckling failure as given below:

P C M Mz
+ k y my y + k LT ≤1.0
Pdy M dy M dz
(4)
P Cmy M y C M
+ 0.6 k y + k z mz z ≤1.0
Pdz M dy M dz

where
Cmy, Cmz = Equivalent uniform moment factor as per Table 2
P = applied axial tension or compression under factored load
My, Mz = maximum factored applied bending moments about y and z-axis of the
member, respectively.
Pdy, Pdz = design strength under axial tension or compression as governed by
buckling about minor (y) and major (z) axis respectively.
Mdy, Mdz = design bending strength about y (minor) or z (major) axis of the cross
section
Ky = 1+(λy-0.2)ny ≤ 1+0.8 ny
Kz = 1+(λz-0.2)nz ≤ 1+0.8 nz

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0.1λLT n y 0.1n y
KLT = 1 − ≥1 −
( CmLT − 0.25) ( CmLT − 0.25)
where,
ny, nz = ratio of actual applied axial force to the design axial strength for
buckling about the y and z axis, respectively and
CmLT = Equivalent uniform moment factor for lateral torsional buckling as per
Table 2 corresponding to the actual moment gradient between lateral
supports against torsional deformation in the critical region under
consideration.

More accurate evaluation of beam-column strength is possible by resorting to non-linear

P-∆ analysis. In this case, the actual axial compression and bending moments as obtained
from such an analysis may be used in the interaction equation and the sway effects may
be disregarded in evaluation of Pu, Pex and Pey. These methods of analysis and design are
beyond the scope of this chapter and are not discussed herein.

3.0 STEPS IN ANALYSING A BEAM-COLUMN

(i) Calculate the cross section properties.

Area, principal axes moments of inertia, section moduli, radii of gyration,

effective lengths and slenderness ratios.

(ii) Evaluate the type of section based on the (b/t) ratio of the plate elements, as
plastic, compact, semi-compact, or slender.

(iii) Check for resistance of the cross-section under the combined effects as governed
by yielding (Eq. 1,2 or 3).

(iv) Check for resistance of member under the combined effects as governed by
buckling (Eq. 4).

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Table: 2 Equivalent Uniform Moment Factor

Cmy, Cmz, CmLT

Bending moment diagram Range
Uniform loading Concentrated load

−1 ≤ ψ ≤ 1 0.6 + 0.4 ψ ≥ 0.4

ψM
MhM 0 ≤ α s≤ 1 −1 ≤ ψ ≤ 1 0.2 + 0.8 αs ≥ 0.4 0.2 + 0.8 αs ≥ 0.4
ψMh
Ms
0≤ψ≤1 0.1 − 0.8 αs ≥ 0.4 − 0.8 αs ≥ 0.4
−1 ≤ αs≤ 0
αs = Ms/ Mh −1 ≤ ψ ≤ 0 0.1(1−ψ) −0.8 αs ≥ 0.4 0.2(1−ψ) −0.8 αs ≥ 0.4
0 ≤ α s≤ 1 −1 ≤ ψ ≤ 1 0.095 − 0.05 αh 0.90 + 0.10 αh
0≤ψ≤1 0.095 + 0.05 αh 0.90 + 0.10 αh
ψMh −1 ≤ αs≤ 0
Mh Ms −1 ≤ ψ ≤ 0 0.95 + 0.05 αh (1+2 ψ) 0.90 + 0.05 αh (1+2 ψ)
For members with Mh/ Ms buckling mode the equivalent uniform moment factor Cmy = Cmz = 0.9.
αh =sway

Cmy, Cmz, CmLT shall be obtained according to the bending moment diagram between the relevant braced points
Moment factor Bending axis Points braced in direction
Cmy z-z y-y
My for Cmy
Cmz y-y z-z
for Cmz
CmLT z-z z-z Mz for CmLT

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4.0 SUMMARY

This chapter presented equations for the design of beam-columns and an example design.
The behaviour and design of beam-columns are contained in the two parts on this topic.
The following are the important points discussed in these chapters.

• The beam-column may fail by reaching either the ultimate strength of the section (in
the case of smaller axial load and shorter members) or by the buckling strength as
governed by weak axis buckling or lateral torsional buckling.
• At lower loads, the failure is likely to be after the formation of the plastic hinges,
especially in the case of shorter members.
• In slender beam-columns with larger axial compression, either weak axis or lateral
torsional buckling would control failure.
• The interaction formulae given for the design are conservative and simple,
considering the complicated nature of beam-column failure.
• In the design of beam-columns in frames, the magnification of moment due to P-δ
and P-∆ effects are to be considered.

5.0 REFERENCES

1. IS: 800(2007), “General Construction in Steel – Code of Practice”, Bureau of

Indian Standards, New Delhi, 2007.

2. Dowling P.J, Knowles and Owens, G.W., “Structural Steel Design”, Butterworth,
London, 1998.

3. Eurocode 3: 1992, “Design of Steel structures”, British Standards Institution.

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