DESIGN OF STEEL STRUCTURES
Al-Mustaqbal University College
3.6 Column Within a Rigid Frames
The factor K will depend on the ratio of the column to girder stiffness at each end.
𝑬𝑰 𝑰
(∑ 𝑳 ) (∑ 𝑳)
𝑪𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒎𝒏𝒔 𝑪𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒎𝒏𝒔
𝑮= =
𝑬𝑰 𝑰
(∑ 𝑳 ) (∑ 𝑳)
𝑮𝒊𝒓𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝑮𝒊𝒓𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔
Notes:
1. For pinned column base, use 𝐺 = 10.
2. For fixed column base, use 𝐺 = 1.
Also it is depending on the relative movements between the columns ends. i.e.
frame without side sway (inhibited side sway) and with side sway or (uninhibited
side sway). See Fig. C-C2.3 and Fig. C-C2.4.
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DESIGN OF STEEL STRUCTURES....................................................... Compression Members
The frame is called braced frame (sides way inhibited), if it has one of the following:
Other else the frame is called unbraced frame (sides way uninhibited).
Example No. 1: The rigid frame shown in Figure is unbraced. Each member is
oriented so that its web is in the plane of frame (bending about x-axis). Determine
the effective length factor for columns AB and BC.
51 Maryam Hameed Nasir
DESIGN OF STEEL STRUCTURES....................................................... Compression Members
Solve:
1) Section Properties:
Section 𝑰𝒙 (𝒊𝒏𝟒 ) 𝑳𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒉 (𝒇𝒕)
𝑊12 × 96 833 15
𝑊12 × 120 1070 15
𝑊24 × 55 1350 20
𝑊24 × 68 1830 18
2) Column AB
𝐼
(∑ 𝐿) 833⁄15 55.53
𝐶𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑛𝑠
𝑭𝒐𝒓 𝒋𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒕 𝑨: 𝐺𝐴 = = = = 0.328
𝐼 1350⁄20 + 1830⁄18 169.17
(∑ 𝐿 )
𝐺𝑖𝑟𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑠
𝐼
(∑ 𝐿) 833⁄15 + 1070⁄15 126.87
𝐶𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑛𝑠
𝑭𝒐𝒓 𝒋𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒕 𝑩: 𝐺𝐵 = = = = 0.75
𝐼 1350⁄20 + 1830⁄18 169.17
(∑ 𝐿)
𝐺𝑖𝑟𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑠
From the alignment chart for sides way uninhibited (AISC Figure C-C2.4).
𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝐺𝐴 = 0.328 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐺𝐵 = 0.75.
H.W: Determine the effective length factor for columns BC. (Ans: 𝐾𝑥 = 1.8)
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DESIGN OF STEEL STRUCTURES....................................................... Compression Members
Example No. 2: For the two-story moment frame shown down, the column and
girder sizes have been determined as shown. Assume in-plane bending about the
strong axes for the columns and girders. Determine the effective length factor, K, for
columns BF and FJ using the alignment charts.
Solve:
1) Section Properties:
Member Section 𝑰𝒙 (𝒊𝒏𝟒 ) 𝑳𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒉 (𝒇𝒕)
FJ 𝑊12 × 50 391 20
BF 𝑊12 × 72 597 15
EF, IJ 𝑊18 × 35 510 20
JK 𝑊18 × 40 612 30
FG 𝑊18 × 50 800 30
2) Column BF
𝑭𝒐𝒓 𝒋𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒕 𝑩: 𝐺𝐴 = 10 (pinned Support)
𝐼
(∑ 𝐿) 391⁄20 + 597⁄15 59.35
𝐶𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑛𝑠
𝑭𝒐𝒓 𝒋𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒕 𝑭: 𝐺𝐵 = = = = 1.14
𝐼 510⁄20 + 800⁄30 52.167
(∑ 𝐿)
𝐺𝑖𝑟𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑠
53 Maryam Hameed Nasir
DESIGN OF STEEL STRUCTURES....................................................... Compression Members
From the alignment chart for sides way uninhibited (AISC Figure C-C2.4),
𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝐺𝐴 = 10 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐺𝐵 = 1.14. Get: 𝐾𝑥 = 1.93.
3) Column FJ
𝑭𝒐𝒓 𝒋𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒕 𝑭: 𝐺𝐴 = 1.14
𝐼
(∑ 𝐿 ) 391⁄20 19.55
𝐶𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑛𝑠
𝑭𝒐𝒓 𝒋𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒕 𝑱: 𝐺𝐵 = = = = 0.43
𝐼 510⁄20 + 612⁄30 45.9
(∑ 𝐿)
𝐺𝑖𝑟𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑠
From the alignment chart for sides way uninhibited (AISC Figure C-C2.4),
𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝐺𝐴 = 1.14 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐺𝐵 = 0.43. Get: 𝐾𝑥 = 1.25.
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DESIGN OF STEEL STRUCTURES....................................................... Compression Members
Problem:
1. The frame shown in Figure is unbraced, and bending is about the x-axis of the
members. All beams are W16 × 40, and all columns are W12 × 58. Determine
the effective length factor 𝐾𝑥 for column AB and BC.
𝑨𝒏𝒔: 𝑎. 𝐾𝑥 = 1.98, 𝑏. 𝐾𝑥 = 1.42
2. The frame shown in Figure is unbraced against sides way. Relative moments of
inertia of the members have been assumed for preliminary design purposes. Use
the alignment chart and determine 𝐾𝑥 for members AB, BC, DE, and EF.
𝑨𝒏𝒔: 𝑀𝑒𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝐴𝐵: 𝐾𝑥 = 2.00, 𝐵𝐶: 𝐾𝑥 = 1.40, 𝐷𝐸: 𝐾𝑥 = 1.20, 𝐸𝐹: 𝐾𝑥 = 1.28.
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