7/31/2025

Slender/Long Column-1
(Chap-12, Nadim-6th ed.)

Prof. Dr. Md. Nazrul Islam

Part-time Faculty
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
IUT, Board Bazar, Gazipur.
Email: [email protected]
HP: 01343385920

12.1 Introduction

Long columns in an office building. Columns in a tall building

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Slenderness ratio = l/r.

l = column height
r = radius of gyration = √(I∕A)
I = moment of inertia
A = area.

For a rectangular section:

Ix = bh3/12; Iy = hb3/12; A = bh.
rx = √(Ix ∕A) = 0.288h = 0.3h.
ry = √(Iy ∕A) = 0.288b = 0.3b.

For a circular section:

Ix = Iy = 𝜋D4/64; A = 𝜋D2/4;
rx = ry = 0.25D.

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Columns may be considered as follows:

1. High slenderness ratio:
Lateral bracing or shear walls are required.

2. Medium slenderness ratio:

Causes a reduction in column strength.
Lateral bracing may not be required, but strength
reduction must be considered.

3. Small slenderness ratio (short column):

Causes a slight reduction in strength. May be neglected.

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12.2 Effective Column Length (Klu)

Function of two main factors (lu & K):
1. Unsupported length (lu): Height between two floors. Clear
distance between slabs, beams, or member providing lateral
support to the column.

• Flat slab with column capitals: From top of lower floor slab
to bottom of column capital.

• If column is supported with a deeper beam in one

direction, lu should be calculated in both directions (about x
and y axes). The greater value must be considered in
design.

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2. Effective length factor (K): Ratio of distance between points

of zero moment to unsupported height of the column.

• If the unsupported length of a column hinged at both

ends, on which sidesway is prevented, is lu , the points of
zero moment will be at the top and bottom of the column.
So, K = lu/lu = 1.

• If a column is fixed at both ends and sidesway is

prevented, the points of inflection are at lu /4 from each
end. So, K = 0.5lu/lu = 0.5 (Fig. 12.2).

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To evaluate K, two main cases are considered:

(a) Braced:
By shear walls, rigid bracing, or lateral support from an adjoining
structure.
K ≤ 1.0.
Use K = 1.0 (ACI Code).

(b) Unbraced:
K is given in Fig. 12.2.
(sidesway is prevented or not).

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12.3 Effective Length Factor (K)

K can be estimated using alignment chart (Fig. 12.3). First,

calculate end restraint factors 𝜓A and 𝜓B at top and bottom of
column.

lc = length, c/c of joints;

l = span length, c/c of joints.

𝜓 shall include all columns and beams meeting at a joint.

Hinged end: 𝜓 = infinite; may be taken as 10.
Fixed end: 𝜓 = 0; may be taken as 1.

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Procedure for estimating K:

1. Calculate 𝜓A (top) and 𝜓B (bottom).
2. Plot 𝜓A and 𝜓B on alignment chart (Fig. 12.3).
3. Connect two points to intersect middle line, which indicates
K value.

Chart is based on following assumptions:

1. Structure consists of symmetrical rectangular frames.
2. Girder moment at a joint is distributed to columns
according to their relative stiffness.
3. All columns reach critical loads at the same time.

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12.4 Member Stiffness (EI)

(1). E: Ec= 33𝑤1.5√f ′c = 57,000√f ′c (psi)

(for normal-weight concrete).
Es= 29×106 psi.

(2). I: (a). Compression members:

Columns: I = 0.70Ig
Walls − Uncracked: I = 0.70Ig
− Cracked: I = 0.35Ig

(b). Flexural members:

Beams: I = 0.35Ig
Flat plates and flat slabs: I = 0.25Ig

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ALTERNATIVELY:

I shall be computed as follows:

(a). Compression members:

Pu and Mu shall be determined from the particular load

combination under consideration, or the combination of Pu
and Mu determined in the smallest value of I (not less than
0.35Ig).

(b). Flexural members:

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Ig = moment of inertia of gross concrete section about centroidal

axis, neglecting reinforcement.

𝜌 = As/bd

I (T-beam) = based on effective flange width.

= sufficiently accurate to take 2Ig of web
= 2(b𝑤h3/12).
I (continuous beam) = average of critical positive and negative
moment sections (not less than 0.25Ig).

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(3). A = Ag (cross-sectional area).

(4). I shall be divided by (1+𝛽dns) when sustained lateral loads

act or for stability check.

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12.5 Limitation of Slenderness Ratio (Klu/r)

12.5.1 Nonsway (Braced) Frames

(1). Effect of slenderness neglected if:

Klu/r ≤ (34 - 12M1/M2) ≤ 40 (12.5)
M1 and M2 = factored end moments of column (M2 > M1).

(2). M1/M2 = positive (if bent in single curvature)

= negative (for double curvature) (Fig. 12.4).

(3). (34 - 12M1/M2) ≤ 40.

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(4). If e = Mu/Pu < emin, M2 = M2,min;

emin = 0.6 + 0.03h (inch) (12.6)

M2,min = Pu(0.6 + 0.03h) (12.7)

M2,min = minimum moment; emin = minimum eccentricity.

M2 = about each axis of column separately.

K = 1.0 (for braced frame, if not computed using EI).

(5). Compression members are braced if:

Total lateral stiffness of bracing elements
> 12 x (gross stiffness of columns within the story).

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12.5.2 Sway (Unbraced) Frames

Effect of slenderness neglected when

Klu/r ≤ 22 (12.8)

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12.6 Moment-magnifier Design Method

12.6.1 Introduction
A story is nonsway (braced) if stability index

ΣPu = the story total vertical load;

Vus = horizontal shear in the story being evaluated;
𝛥o = first-order relative lateral deflection between top and
bottom of story due to Vus.
lc = length of compression member (c/c of joints).

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Compression members may be subjected to lateral deflections

that cause secondary moments.
M = Ma + M′

M = Final moment;
Ma = Applied moment;
M′ = Secondary moment.

Approximate Method (for final moment M):

Mmax = 𝛿Ma ;

𝛿 = moment magnification factor ≥ 1.0.

Ma = maximum moment within column.
= obtained from elastic analysis using factored loads.

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12.6.2 Magnified Moments in Nonsway (Braced) Frames

Procedure (to compute 𝛿ns ):

1. Determine if the frame is braced (nonsway).
Find lu and K (K may be taken as 1.0).

2. Calculate EI.

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Or, (simplified eqn):

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For more accuracy:

But not less than 0.35Ig.

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3. Determine Euler buckling load, Pc:

Use EI, K, and lu from steps 1 & 2.

4. Calculate Cm.
For braced members without transverse loads,

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M1/M2 = positive (if bent in single curvature)

= negative (if bent in double curvature).

If M2,min= Pu(0.6+0.03h) exceeds M2, Cm shall either be taken

equal to 1, or shall be based on the ratio of computed end
moments, M1/M2.

5. Calculate 𝛿ns:

Pu = applied factored load;

Pc , Cm = calculated previously.

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6. Design the column using Pu and a magnified moment (Mc):

M2 = larger moment due to loads ≥ M2,min = Pu(0.6 + 0.03h).

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12.6.3 Magnified Moments in Sway Frames

Effect of slenderness may be ignored in sway frames when
Klu/r < 22.

Procedure (to compute 𝛿s ):

(1). Determine if the frame is unbraced. Find lu and K.

(2-4). Calculate EI, Pc, and Cm. 𝛽ds is used instead of 𝛽dns to
calculate I.

(𝛽ds = ratio of maximum factored sustained shear

within a story to total factored shear in that
story).

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(5). Calculate 𝛿s using one of the following methods:

(a). Magnifier method:

where, 𝛿s ≤ 2.5.
ΣPu = summation of vertical loads in a story;
ΣPc = summation for sway-resisting columns in a story.

Ms = factored end moment due to loads causing sway.

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(b). Approximate second-order analysis:

If 𝛿s > 1.5, 𝛿s shall be calculated using second-order elastic

analysis or the magnifier method described in (a).

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(6). Calculate magnified moments M1 and M2 at the ends of a

member, as follows:

M1ns , M2ns = moments from nonsway condition;

M1s , M2s = moments from sway condition.

Design magnified moment (Mc)

= larger of M1 and M2.

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Thank you.
Any question?

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