MEMBER DESIGN

Design Example – Column in Simple Construction

Author: Kevin Cowie, Alistair Fussell
Affiliation: Steel Construction New Zealand Inc.
Date: 15th February 2012
Ref: MEM8001

Key Words
Column, Simple Construction, NZS 3404, Design example,

Introduction

It is common and cost effective to separate the building gravity only steel structure from seismic/wind lateral
bracing frames. The gravity structure can then be designed as simple construction in accordance with NZS 3404
Steel Structures Standard. In simple construction the bending members may be assumed to have their ends
connected for shear only and to be free to rotate. Examples of such connections are shown in figure 1.
In beams and column frames for which simple construction is assumed, there will none the less be bending
moments acting on the columns which are caused by eccentricity of the beam reactions.

The minimum eccentricities which must be used for column design purposes are stated in NZS 3404 [Link].
Beam reactions are taken as a minimum distance of 100mm from the face of the column towards the span or at
the centre of bearing, whichever gives the greater eccentricity, except that for a column cap, the load shall be
taken as acting at the face of the column, or edge of packing if used, towards the span, see figure 1.

Figure 1: a) Web side plate (WP) connected to column flange b) Flexible end plate connected to column web c)
Beam supported on column cap plate

A worked example has been prepared to illustrate the design of columns in simple construction in accordance
with NZS 3404 Steel Structures Standard (SNZ, 2007).

Disclaimer: SCNZ and the author(s) of this document make no warrantee, guarantee or representation in connection with this
document and shall not be held liable or responsible for any loss or damage resulting from the use of this document

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 Figure 2: Column Details in Worked Example

Design Parameters

The column is continuous and forms part of a structure of simple construction. The column is nominally pinned
at the base. Beams are connected to the column flange by flexible end plates. The exercise is to check that a
200UC46 column section is adequate for the ground floor column.

Ultimate Limit State Loadings

Reaction from beam 1 V1* 37 kN
Reaction from beam 2 V2* 147 kN
Reaction from beam 3 V3* 28kN
Compression in column between levels 1 and 2
N1* 2 377 kN
Design Actions
The total compression force in the column between ground and level 1
N*Ground 1 N1* 2 V1* V2* V3* 377 37 147 28 589kN

For columns in simple construction, NZS 3404 [Link] states that the beam reactions are assumed to act at a
distance of 100 mm from the face of the column. The bending moments calculated are used directly with no
need to consider second order effects.

For a 200UC46 column the bending moments at level 1 are:

* d 203
M1,x V2* c 100 147x 100 x10 3 29.62kNm
2 2
In the y-axis the bending moments in the column are proportional to the difference in beam reactions of the two
incoming beams (beam1 and beam 3)
* t wc 7.3
M1,y V1* V3* 100 37 28 x 100 x10 3 0.93kNm
2 2

In accordance with NZS 3404 [Link] these bending moments are distributed between the column lengths above
and below level 1 in proportion to their bending stiffness. This clause also states; this moment has no effect on

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the floor or frames above or below this level ie uses a triangular moment distribution. Therefore the design
bending moments acting on the column length between ground and level 1 are:
3
Major axis (x-axis) M*x 29.62x 11.11kNm
8
3
Minor axis (y-axis) M*y 0.93x 0.35kNm
8
Note that the bending stiffness of the column between ground and level 1 is reduced due to the presence of the
nominally pinned base connection. It is conservative to ignore this in determining the design bending moments.

Figure 3: Column Loads

Column Member Compression Capacity

Section 6 of NZS 3404 covers members subject to axial compression. A member subject to compression must
satisfy both section and member capacity checks.

The buckling effective length may be taken as:

Le=Length ground to level 1 = 5000mm

This assumes an effective length factor (ke) of 1.0 which is conservative.

In Steel Advisor MEM6101 a method is presented for taking advantage of column continuity to reduce the
buckling length.

Using Australian Steel Institute Design Capacity Tables for Structural Steel Volume 1: Open Sections (AISC,
1999)
Ns k f A n fy 1590 kN (section capacity)
Ncx cx Ns 1255kN (major axis member capacity)
Ncy cy Ns 786 kN (minor axis member capacity)

N*Ground 1 Ns , Ncx , Ncy OK!

min

Column Combined Biaxial Bending and Compression

The column is subject to combined biaxial bending and compression. Section 8 of NZS 3404 covers combined
actions. A column member subject to biaxial bending must be checked for combined actions irrespective of the
level of axial force. There is a helpful flow diagram, figure C8.1.1 in NZS 3404 Part 2:1997 which helps explain
how the combined bending checks of section 8 are applied in various situations.

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The capacity of the column member is dependent on whether the column member is fully lateral restrained.

Is the column fully laterally restrained (FLR)?

Beams of open sections bent in their stiffer principal plane are susceptible to a type of buckling known as
flexural torsional buckling involving a combination of lateral deflection and twist.

A segment or member bent about its major axis, that has a member moment capacity equal to the section
moment capacity, i.e. φMbx= φMsx (ie αm αs≥1.0), is deemed as having full lateral restraint, and the ability of the
member to resist the applied loads is solely dependent on the section moment capacity. This mode of buckling
does not apply to open sections bent about their minor axis ie φMby= φMsy

The column is restrained laterally in both the x direction and the y direction at each floor level, but is
unrestrained between the floors.

The buckling length may be taken as:

Le=Length ground to level 1 = 5000mm

As previously discussed, a triangular distribution of moment is to be assumed, therefore the appropriate

moment modification factor is αm =1.75 (Table 5.6.1 NZS 3404)

The following 200UC 46 design capacities have been taken from the Australian Steel Institute Capacity Tables
(AISC, 1999).

Section

Ns=1590 kN
Msx=133 kN
Msy=60.3 kNm

Member

Ncx=1255 kN
Ncy=786 kN
Mbx=89.4 kNm (based on m=1.0)

Check if column is fully laterally restrained

αm Mbx=1.75x89.4=156> Ms, therefore the column is fully laterally restrained ie m Mbx= Ms

Column Biaxial Bending and Compressive Axial Load Section Check

Cl 8.3.4 NZS 3404 sets out the section check for a column subject to biaxial bending and compression axial load.
The general design provisions of [Link] NZS 3404 will be used.
N*Ground L1 M*x M*y
1.0
Ns Msx Msy
589 11.11 0.35
0.46 1.0 OK!
1590 133 60.3

The column biaxial bending and compressive axial load section check is satisfied. If the general design
provisions of [Link] NZS 3404 is not satisfied an alternative provision may be used, for completeness this is set
out below. The alternative provisions of [Link] NZS 3404 may be used if all the requirements of 8.1.5 are
satisfied.

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NZS 3404 8.1.5 Satisfied? Description
Requirements
8.1.5(a) Yes The column is a doubly symmetric I section
8.1.5(b) Yes The flange plate slenderness ((bf -tw)/2tw)x√(fy/250) =9.7) is
less than the slenderness limit in table 8 (10). The web
slenderness is also less than the slenderness limit in table 8.
8.1.5(c) Yes The form factor (kf) is unity
8.1.5(d) Yes The member is not subject to transverse loading
All requirements satisfied? Yes

As all requirements of 8.1.5 are satisfied the alternative provisions of [Link] may be used.
M*x M*y
1.0
Mrx Mry
where:
N*
Mrx 1.18 Msx 1 Msx
Ns

589
Mrx 1.18 x133 x 1 98.8kNm
1590
2
N*
Mry 1.19 Msy 1 Msy
Ns
2
589
Mry 1.19 x 60.3 x 1 61.9kNm Msy Mry 60.3kNm
1590

N*
1.4 2.0
Ns

589
1.4 1.77
1590
1.77 1.77
M*x M*y 11.11 0.35
0.021 1.0 OK!
Mrx Mry 98.8 60.3

Column Biaxial Bending and Compressive Axial Load Member Check

Cl [Link] NZS 3404 sets out the member check for a column subject to biaxial bending and compression axial
load.
1.4 1.4
M*x M*y
1.0
Mcx Miy
where:
Mcx=Mix for a member with full lateral restraint
N*
Mix Msx 1
Ncx

589
Mix 133 1 70.6 kNm
1255
N*
Miy Msy 1
Ncy

589
Miy 60.3 1 15.1kNm
786

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 1.4 1.4
1.4 1.4
M*x M*y 11.11 0.35
0.08 1.0 OK!
Mcx Miy 70.6 15.1

A 200UC 46 would be adequate for the ground floor column.

References

AISC (now ASI), Design Capacity Tables for Structural Steel Volume 1: Open Sections Third Edition, Australian
Institute of Steel Construction (now Australian Steel Institute), Sydney, 1999

Cowie, K., Fussell, A., Design Example – Continuous Column in Simple Construction Effective Length, Steel
Advisor MEM6101, Steel Construction New Zealand Inc., Manukau City, 2012

SNZ, Steel Structures Standard (Incorporating Amendments 1 and 2), NZS 3404:1997 Part 1 and 2, Standards
New Zealand, Wellington, 2007

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