SECTION 11.

5 Columns with Eccentric Axial Loads 697

Problem 11.5-13 A frame ABCD is constructed of steel wide-flange

A D
members (W 8
21; E  30
10 6 psi) and subjected to triangularly
distributed loads of maximum intensity q0 acting along the vertical h
B E C
members (see figure). The distance between supports is L  20 ft and
the height of the frame is h  4 ft. The members are rigidly connected q0 q0
E
at B and C.
(a) Calculate the intensity of load q0 required to produce a maximum L
bending moment of 80 k-in. in the horizontal member BC.
(b) If the load q0 is reduced to one-half of the value calculated in
part (a), what is the maximum bending moment in member BC? What
is the ratio of this moment to the moment of 80 k-in. in part (a)?
Section E-E

Solution 11.5-13 Frame with triangular loads

A D (a) LOAD q0 TO PRODUCE Mmax  80 k-in.
P h Substitute numerical values into Eq. (1).
C P
B
Units: pounds and inches
h h
3 3 PL2
M max  80,000 lb-in.
B 4EI
L
 0.0070093P (radians)
P  resultant force
80,000  P(16 in.) [sec(0.0070093P) ]
e  eccentricity
q0h h 5,000  P sec(0.0070093P)
P
e 
2 3
P  5,000[cos(0.0070093P) ]  0 (2)
MAXIMUM BENDING MOMENT IN BEAM BC
kL SOLVE EQ. (2) NUMERICALLY
From Eq. (11-56): M max  Pe sec
2 P  4461.9 lb
P PL 2 2P
k
M max  Pe sec (1) q0   186 lb
in.  2230 lb
ft
B EI B 4EI h

NUMERICAL DATA (b) LOAD q0 IS REDUCED TO ONE-HALF ITS VALUE

W 8
21 I  I2  9.77 in.4 (from Table E-1)
P is reduced to one-half its value.

E  30
10 psi
6 L  20 ft  240 in. 1
P  (4461.9 lb)  2231.0 lb
h  4 ft  48 in. 2
h Substitute numerical values into Eq. (1) and solve
e   16 in. for Mmax.
3
Mmax  37.75 k-in.
Mmax 37.7
Ratio: 5 5 0.47
80 k-in. 80
This result shows that the bending moment varies
nonlinearly with the load.

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698 CHAPTER 11 Columns

The Secant Formula

When solving the problems for Section 11.6, assume that bending occurs P
e
in the principal plane containing the eccentric axial load.
Problem 11.6-1 A steel bar has a square cross section of width
b  2.0 in. (see figure). The bar has pinned supports at the ends and is
3.0 ft long. The axial forces acting at the end of the bar have a resultant
P  20 k located at distance e  0.75 in. from the center of the cross b
section. Also, the modulus of elasticity of the steel is 29,000 ksi. b
(a) Determine the maximum compressive stress
max in the bar.
(b) If the allowable stress in the steel is 18,000 psi, what is the
maximum permissible length L max of the bar? Probs. 11.6-1 through 11.6-3

Solution 11.6-1 Bar with square cross section

Pinned supports. Substitute into Eq. (1):
DATA
max  17.3 ksi
b  2.0 in. L  3.0 ft  36 in. P  20 k (b) MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE LENGTH
e  0.75 in. E  29,000 ksi

allow = 18,000 psi
(a) MAXIMUM COMPRESSIVE STRESS
Solve Eq. (1) for the length L:
Secant formula (Eq. 11-59):
EI P(ec
r 2 )
P ec L P L2 arccos B R (2)
smax  B 1  2 sec R (1) BP smax A  P
A r 2rB EA
Substitute numerical values:
P P b Lmax  46.2 in.
  5.0 ksi c   1.0 in.
A b2 2

b4 I
I  1.333 in.4 r2   0.3333 in.2
12 A
ec L P
 2.25  62.354
 0.00017241
r2 r EA

Problem 11.6-2 A brass bar (E  100 GPa) with a square cross section
is subjected to axial forces having a resultant P acting at distance e from
the center (see figure). The bar is pin supported at the ends and is 0.6 m
in length. The side dimension b of the bar is 30 mm and the eccentricity
e of the load is 10 mm.
If the allowable stress in the brass is 150 MPa, what is the allowable
axial force Pallow?

Solution 11.6-2 Bar with square cross section

Pinned supports. SECANT FORMULA (Eq. 11-59):
DATA P ec L P
smax  B 1  2 sec R (1)
b  30 mm L  0.6 m
allow  150 MPa A r 2rB EA
e  10 mm E  100 GPa

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 SECTION 11.6 The Secant Formula 699

Units: Newtons and meters SUBSTITUTE NUMERICAL VALUES INTO Eq. (1):
max  150
106 Nm2 P
A = b2  900
106 m2 150
106  [1  2 sec(0.0036515P) ]
900
10 6
b I b2
c   0.015 m
r 2    75
10 6 m2 or
2 A 12
P[1  2 sec(0.0036515P) ]  135,000  0 (2)
ec L P
 2.0
P  newtons
 0.0036515P
r2 2rB EA
SOLVE EQ. (2) NUMERICALLY:
Pallow  37,200 N  37.2 kN

Problem 11.6-3 A square aluminum bar with pinned ends carries a load
P  25 k acting at distance e  2.0 in. from the center (see figure on the
previous page). The bar has length L  54 in. and modulus of elasticity
E  10,600 ksi.
If the stress in the bar is not to exceed 6 ksi, what is the minimum
permissible width bmin of the bar?

Solution 11.6-3 Square aluminum bar

Pinned ends SUBSTITUTE TERMS INTO EQ. (1):
25,000 12 4.5423
DATA 6,000  B1  sec R
b2 b b2
Units: pounds and inches or
P  25 k  25,000 psi e  2.0 in.
12 4.5423
L  54 in. E  10,600 ksi  10,600,000 psi 1 sec  0.24 b 2  0 (2)

max = 6.0 ksi  6,000 psi b b2

SOLVE EQ. (2) NUMERICALLY:

SECANT FORMULA (Eq. 11-59)
bmin  4.10 in.
P ec L P
smax  B 1  2 sec R (1)
A r 2rB EA
b I b2
A  b2 c r2  
2 A 12

ec 12 L P 4.5423
 
r2 b 2rB EA b2

P
Problem 11.6-4 A pinned-end column of length L  2.1 m is e
constructed of steel pipe (E  210 GPa) having inside diameter
d1  60 mm and outside diameter d 2  68 mm (see figure). A
compressive load P  10 kN acts with eccentricity e  30 mm.
(a) What is the maximum compressive stress
max in the column?
(b) If the allowable stress in the steel is 50 MPa, what is the
maximum permissible length Lmax of the column?
d1
d2

Probs. 11.6-4 through 11.6-6

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700 CHAPTER 11 Columns

Solution 11.6-4 Steel pipe column

I
Pinned ends. r2   513.99
10 6 m 2
A
DATA Units: Newtons and meters d2
r  22.671
10 3 m c  0.034 m
L  2.1 m E  210 GPa  210
109 Nm2 2
d1  60 mm  0.06 m d2  68 mm  0.068 m
P  10 kN  10,000 N e  30 mm  0.03 m ec L P
2  1.9845  0.35638
r 2rB EA
TUBULAR CROSS SECTION
Substitute into Eq. (1):
 2
max  38.8
106 Nm2  38.8 MPa
A (d  d 21 )  804.25
10 6m2
4 2
(b) MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE LENGTH

I  (d 42  d 41 )  413.38
10 9m4
64
allow  50 MPa
Solve Eq. (1) for the length L:
(a) MAXIMUM COMPRESSIVE STRESS
EI P(ec
r 2 )
L2 arccos B R (2)
Secant formula (Eq. 11-59): BP smax A  P
P ec L P Substitute numerical values:
smax  B 1  2 sec R (1) Lmax  5.03 m
A r 2rB EA
P
 12.434
106 N
m2
A

Problem 11.6-5 A pinned-end strut of length L  5.2 ft is constructed of steel

pipe (E  30
10 3 ksi) having inside diameter d1  2.0 in. and outside diame-
ter d 2  2.2 in. (see figure). A compressive load P  2.0 k is applied with
eccentricity e  1.0 in.
(a) What is the maximum compressive stress
max in the strut?
(b) What is the allowable load Pallow if a factor of safety n  2 with respect
to yielding is required? (Assume that the yield stress
Y of the steel is 42 ksi.)

Solution 11.6-5 Pinned-end strut

P d2
Steel pipe.  3.0315 ksi c   1.1 in.
A 2
DATA Units: kips and inches I ec
r 2   0.55250 in.2  1.9910
L  5.2 ft  62.4 in. E  30
103 ksi A r2
d1  2.0 in. d2  2.2 in.
P  2.0 k e  1.0 in. L P
r  0.74330 in.
 0.42195
2rB EA
TUBULAR CROSS SECTION Substitute into Eq. (1):
 2
max  9.65 ksi
A (d  d 21 )  0.65973 in.2
4 2
(b) ALLOWABLE LOAD

I  (d 42  d 41 )  0.36450 in.4
Y  42 ksi n  2 find Pallow
64
Substitute numerical values into Eq. (1):
P
(a) MAXIMUM COMPRESSIVE STRESS 42  [1  1.9910 sec(0.29836P) ] (2)
0.65973
Secant formula (Eq. 11-59):
Solve Eq. (2) numerically: P  PY  7.184 k
P ec L P PY
smax  B 1  2 sec R (1) Pallow   3.59 k
A r 2rB EA n

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 SECTION 11.6 The Secant Formula 701

Problem 11.6-6 A circular aluminum tube with pinned ends supports

a load P  18 kN acting at distance e  50 mm from the center (see
figure). The length of the tube is 3.5 m and its modulus of elasticity is
73 GPa.
If the maximum permissible stress in the tube is 20 MPa, what is the
required outer diameter d 2 if the ratio of diameters is to be d1 /d 2  0.9?

Solution 11.6-6 Aluminum tube

d2 ec (50 mm)(d2
2) 220.99
Pinned ends. c  
2 r2 0.11313 d 22 d2
DATA P  18 kN e  50 mm
L 3500 mm 5,203.1
L  3.5 m E  73 GPa  
2r 2(0.33634 d2 ) d2

max  20 MPa d1/d2  0.9
P 18,000 N 1.6524
 
SECANT FORMULA (EQ. 11-59) EA (73,000 N
mm2 )(0.14923 d 22 ) d 22
P ec L P
smax  B 1  2 sec R (1) L P 5,203.1 1.6524 6688.2
A r 2rB EA  
2rB EA d2 B d 22 d 22
 2 
A (d  d 21 )  [d 22  (0.9 d2 ) 2 ]  0.14923 d 22
4 2 4
SUBSTITUTE THE ABOVE EXPRESSIONS INTO EQ. (1):
(d2  mm; A  mm2)
120,620 220.99 6688.2
P 18,000 N 120,620 P smax  20 MPa  + B1  sec R (2)
   MPa d 22 d2 d 22
A 0.14923 d 22 d 22 A
 4  SOLVE EQ. (2) NUMERICALLY:
I (d 2  d 41 )  [d 42  (0.9 d2 ) 4 ]  0.016881 d 42
64 64
d2  131 mm
(d2  mm; I  mm4)
I
r 2   0.11313 d 22
(d2  mm; r 2  mm2 )
A
r  0.33634 d2 (r  mm)

Problem 11.6-7 A steel column (E  30
10 3 ksi) with pinned

ends is constructed of a W 10
60 wide-flange shape (see figure). P
e = 2.0 in.
The column is 24 ft long. The resultant of the axial loads acting on
the column is a force P acting with an eccentricity e  2.0 in.
(a) If P  120 k, determine the maximum compressive stress W 10
60

max in the column.
(b) Determine the allowable load Pallow if the yield stress is

Y  42 ksi and the factor of safety with respect to yielding of
the material is n  2.5.

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702 CHAPTER 11 Columns

Solution 11.6-7 Steel column with pinned ends

E  30
103 ksi L  24 ft  288 in. P L P
e  2.0 in.  6.818 ksi  0.4931
A 2rB EA
W 10
60 wide-flange shape
Substitute into Eq. (1):
max  10.9 ksi
A  17.6 in.2 I  341 in.4 d  10.22 in.
I d (b) ALLOWABLE LOAD
r 2   19.38 in.2
r  4.402 in.
c   5.11 in.
A 2

Y  42 ksi n  2.5 find Pallow
L ec
 65.42  0.5273 Substitute into Eq. (1):
r r2
P
(a) MAXIMUM COMPRESSIVE STRESS (P  120 k) 42  [1  0.5273 sec(0.04502P) ]
17.6
Solve numerically: P  PY  399.9 k
Secant formula (Eq. 11-59):
Pallow  PY n  160 k
P ec L P
smax  B 1  2 sec R (1)
A r 2rB EA

Problem 11.6-8 A W 16
57 steel column is compressed by a force P = 75 k

e = 1.5 in.
P  75 k acting with an eccentricity e  1.5 in., as shown in the figure.
The column has pinned ends and length L. Also, the steel has modulus of
elasticity E  30
103 ksi and yield stress
Y  36 ksi.
W 16
57
(a) If the length L  10 ft, what is the maximum compressive
stress
max in the column?
(b) If a factor of safety n  2.0 is required with respect to yielding,
what is the longest permissible length L max of the column?

Solution 11.6-8 Steel column with pinned ends

W 16
57 A  16.8 in.2 I  I2  43.1 in.4
max  4.464 [1  2.082 sec (0.4569)]
b  7.120 in.  14.8 ksi
c  b2  3.560 in.
I (b) MAXIMUM LENGTH
e  1.5 in. r2   2.565 in.2
A Solve Eq. (1) for the length L:
ec
 2.082 r  1.602 in. EI P(ec
r2 )
r2 L2 arccos B R (2)
P BP smax A  P
P  75 k
E  30
103 ksi
 148.8
10 6
Y  36 ksi n  2.0 PY  n P  150 k
EA
Substitute PY for P and
Y for
max in Eq. (2):
(a) MAXIMUM COMPRESSIVE STRESS
EI PY (ec
r 2 )
Secant formula (Eq. 11-59): L max  2 arccos B R (3)
B PY sY A  PY
P ec L P
smax  B 1  2 sec R (1) Substitute numerical values in Eq. (3) and solve
A r 2rB EA for Lmax:
L  10 ft  120 in. Lmax  151.1 in.  12.6 ft
P L P
 4.464 ksi  0.4569
A 2rB EA
Substitute into Eq. (1):

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 SECTION 11.6 The Secant Formula 703

Problem 11.6-9 A steel column (E  30
10 3 ksi) that is fixed at the

base and free at the top is constructed of a W 8
35 wide-flange member P e
(see figure). The column is 9.0 ft long. The force P acting at the top of the
column has an eccentricity e  1.25 in.
(a) If P  40 k, what is the maximum compressive stress in the e
column?
A A P
(b) If the yield stress is 36 ksi and the required factor of safety
with respect to yielding is 2.1, what is the allowable load Pallow? L
Section A-A

Probs. 11.6-9 and 11.6-10

Solution 11.6-9 Steel column (fixed-free)

E  30
103 ksi e  1.25 in. P Le P
Le  2 L  2 (9.0 ft)  18 ft  216 in.  3.883 ksi  0.6042
A 2r B EA
W 8
35 WIDE-FLANGE SHAPE
A  10.3 in.2 I  I2  42.6 in.4 b  8.020 in. Substitute into Eq. (1):
max  9.60 ksi
I
r 2   4.136 in.2
r  2.034 in. (b) ALLOWABLE LOAD
A
b Le ec
Y  36 ksi n  2.1 find Pallow
c   4.010 in.  106.2  1.212
2 r r2 Substitute into Eq. (1):
P
36  [1  1.212 sec(0.09552P) ]
(a) MAXIMUM COMPRESSIVE STRESS (P  40 k) 10.3
Solve numerically: P  PY  112.6 k
Secant formula (Eq. 11-59):
Pallow  PY n  53.6 k
P ec Le P
smax  B 1  2 sec R (1)
A r 2r B EA

Problem 11.6-10 A W 12
50 wide-flange steel column with length

L  12.5 ft is fixed at the base and free at the top (see figure). The load
P acting on the column is intended to be centrally applied, but because of
unavoidable discrepancies in construction, an eccentricity ratio of 0.25 is
specified. Also, the following data are supplied: E  30
10 3 ksi,

Y  42 ksi, and P  70 k.
(a) What is the maximum compressive stress
max in the column?
(b) What is the factor of safety n with respect to yielding of the steel?

Solution 11.6-10 Steel column (fixed-free)

ec
E  30
10 ksi
3
 0.25 (a) MAXIMUM COMPRESSIVE STRESS (P  70 k)
r2
Le  2L  2 (12.5 ft)  25 ft  300 in. Secant formula (Eq. 11-59):
P ec Le P
W 12
50 WIDE-FLANGE SHAPE smax  B 1  2 sec R (1)
A r 2rB EA
A  14.7 in.2 I  I2  56.3 in.4
P Le P
I  4.762 ksi  0.9657
r2   3.830 in.2 r  1.957 in. A 2rB EA
A

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704 CHAPTER 11 Columns

Substitute into Eq. (1):
max  6.85 ksi Solve numerically: PY = 164.5 k
PY 164.5 k
(b) FACTOR OF SAFETY WITH RESPECT TO YIELDING P  70 k
n    2.35
P 70 k

Y  42 psi
Substitute into Eq. (1) with
max 
Y and P  PY:
PY
42  [1  0.25 sec(0.1154PY ) ]
A

Problem 11.6-11 A pinned-end column with length L  18 ft is P2

s
P1
constructed from a W 12
87 wide-flange shape (see figure). The
column is subjected to a centrally applied load P1  180 k and an
eccentrically applied load P2  75 k. The load P2 acts at distance s
Wide-flange
 5.0 in. from the centroid of the cross section. The properties of the
column
steel are E  29,000 ksi and
Y  36 ksi.
(a) Calculate the maximum compressive stress in the column.
(b) Determine the factor of safety with respect to yielding.

Probs. 11.6.11 and 11.6.12

Solution 11.6-11 Column with two loads

Pinned-end column. W 12
87 (a) MAXIMUM COMPRESSIVE STRESS
Secant formula (Eq. 11-59):
DATA
P ec L P
L  18 ft  216 in. smax  B 1  2 sec R (1)
A r 2rB EA
P1  180 k P2  75 k s  5.0 in.
E  29,000 ksi
Y  36 ksi Substitute into Eq. (1):
max  13.4 ksi
P2s
P  P1  P2  255 k e  1.471 in. (b) FACTOR OF SAFETY WITH RESPECT TO YIELDING
P

max 
Y  36 ksi P  PY
A  25.6 in.2 I  I1  740 in.4 d  12.53 in.
I Substitute into Eq. (1):
r2   28.91 in.2 r  5.376 in. PY
A 36  [1  0.3188 sec(0.02332PY ) ]
25.6
d ec
c   6.265 in.  0.3188 Solve numerically: PY  664.7 k
2 r2
PY 664.7 k
P  2.55 k
n    2.61
P L P P 255 k
 9.961 ksi  0.3723
A 2rB EA

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 SECTION 11.6 The Secant Formula 705

Problem 11.6-12 The wide-flange pinned-end column shown in the

figure carries two loads, a force P1  100 k acting at the centroid and
a force P2  60 k acting at distance s  4.0 in. from the centroid. The
column is a W 10
45 shape with L  13.5 ft, E  29
10 3 ksi,
and
Y  42 ksi.
(a) What is the maximum compressive stress in the column?
(b) If the load P1 remains at 100 k, what is the largest permissible
value of the load P2 in order to maintain a factor of safety of 2.0 with
respect to yielding?

Solution 11.6-12 Column with two loads

Pinned-end column. W 10
45 (b) LARGEST VALUE OF LOAD P2
P1  100 k (no change)
DATA
n  2.0 with respect to yielding
L  13.5 ft  162 in.
Units: kips, inches
P1  100 k P2  60 k s  4.0 in.
P  P1  P2  100  P2
E  29,000 ksi
Y  42 ksi
P2s P2s P2 (4.0) ec 1.0831 P2
P  P1  P2  160 k e  1.50 in. e 
2
P P 100  P2 r 100  P2
A  13.3 in.2 I  I1  248 in.4 d  10.10 in.
max 
Y  42 ksi PY  n P  2.0 (100  P2)
I Use Eq. (1) with
max replaced by
Y and P replaced
r2   18.65 in.2
r  4.318 in. by PY :
A
d ec PY ec L PY
c   5.05 in.  0.4062 sY  B 1  2 sec R (2)
2 r2 A r 2rB EA
P L P Substitute into Eq. (2):
 12.03 ksi  0.3821
A 2rB EA 2.0(100  P2 )
42 
13.3
(a) MAXIMUM COMPRESSIVE STRESS
1.0831 P2
B1  sec (0.04272100  P2 )R
Secant formula (Eq. 11-59): 100  P2
P ec L P
smax  B 1  2 sec R (1) Solve numerically: P2  78.4 k
A r 2rB EA
Substitute into Eq. (1):
max  17.3 ksi

Problem 11.6-13 A W 14
53 wide-flange column of length L  15 ft P1 P2

is fixed at the base and free at the top (see figure). The column supports a s
centrally applied load P1  120 k and a load P2  40 k supported on a
bracket. The distance from the centroid of the column to the load P2 is
s  12 in. Also, the modulus of elasticity is E  29,000 ksi and the yield
stress is
Y  36 ksi.
(a) Calculate the maximum compressive stress in the column.
(b) Determine the factor of safety with respect to yielding. L
A A
Section A-A

Probs. 11.6-13 and 11.6-14

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706 CHAPTER 11 Columns

Solution 11.6-13 Column with two loads

Fixed-free column. W 14
53 (a) MAXIMUM COMPRESSIVE STRESS
DATA Secant formula (Eq. 11-59):
L  15 ft  180 in. Le  2 L  360 in. P ec Le P
P1  120 k P2  40 k s  12 in. smax  B 1  2 sec R (1)
A r 2rB EA
E  29,000 ksi
Y  36 ksi
Substitute into Eq. (1):
max  17.6 ksi
P2s
P  P1  P2  160 k
e   3.0 in.
P (b) FACTOR OF SAFETY WITH RESPECT TO YIELDING
A  15.6 in.2 I  I1  541 in.4 d  13.92 in.
max 
Y  36 ksi P  PY
I
r 2   34.68 in.2 r  5.889 in. Substitute into Eq. (1):
A
PY
36  [1  0.6021 sec(0.04544PY ) ]
d ec 15.6
c   6.960 in.  0.6021
2 r2 Solve numerically: PY  302.6 k
P Le P PY 302.6 k
 10.26 ksi  0.5748 P  160 k
n    1.89
A 2rB EA P 160 k

Problem 11.6-14 A wide-flange column with a bracket is fixed at the base and
free at the top (see figure on the preceding page). The column supports a load
P1  75 k acting at the centroid and a load P2  25 k acting on the bracket at
distance s  10.0 in. from the load P1. The column is a W 12
35 shape with
L  16 ft, E  29
103 ksi, and
Y  42 ksi.
(a) What is the maximum compressive stress in the column?
(b) If the load P1 remains at 75 k, what is the largest permissible value of the
load P2 in order to maintain a factor of safety of 1.8 with respect to yielding?

Solution 11.6-14 Column with two loads

Fixed-free column. W 12
35 (b) LARGEST VALUE OF LOAD P2
DATA P1  75 k (no change)
L  16 ft  192 in. Le  2 L  384 in. m  1.8 with respect to yielding
P1  75 k P2  25 k s  10.0 in. Units: kips, inches
E  29,000 ksi
Y  42 ksi P  P1  P2  75  P2
P2s
P  P1  P2  100 k
e   2.5 in. P2s P2 (10.0) ec 2.259 P2
P e 
2
P 75  P2 r 75  P2
A  10.3 in.2 I  I1  285 in.4 d  12.50 in.

max 
Y  42 ksi PY  n P  1.8 (75  P2)
I
r 2   27.67 in.2 r  5.260 in. Use Eq. (1) with
max replaced by
Y and P replaced
A
by PY :
d ec
c   6.25 in.  0.5647 PY L e PY
2 r2 ec
sY  B 1  2 sec R (2)
Le P A r 2rB EA
P
 9.709 ksi  0.6679 Substitute into Eq. (2):
A 2rB EA
1.8(75  P2 )
42 
(a) MAXIMUM COMPRESSIVE STRESS 10.3
2.259 P2
Secant formula (Eq. 11-59): B1  sec (0.0896175  P2 )R
75  P2
P ec Le P
smax  B 1  2 sec R (1) Solve numerically: P2  34.3 k
A r 2rB EA
Substitute into Eq. (1):
max  16.7 ksi

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 SECTION 11.9 Design Formulas for Columns 707

Design Formulas for Columns

P
The problems for Section 11.9 are to be solved assuming that the axial
loads are centrally applied at the ends of the columns. Unless otherwise
stated, the columns may buckle in any direction.

STEEL COLUMNS
A A
L
Problem 11.9-1 Determine the allowable axial load Pallow for a
W 10
45 steel wide-flange column with pinned ends (see figure)
Section A - A
for each of the following lengths: L  8 ft, 16 ft, 24 ft, and 32 ft.
(Assume E  29,000 ksi and
Y  36 ksi.)

Probs. 11.9-1 through 11.9-6

Solution 11.9-1 Steel wide-flange column

L 8 ft 16 ft 24 ft 32 ft
Pinned ends (K  1).
Buckling about axis 2-2 (see Table E-1). Lr 47.76 95.52 143.3 191.0
Use AISC formulas. n1 (Eq. 11-79) 1.802 1.896
W 10
45 A  13.3 in.2 r2  2.01 in. n2 (Eq. 11-80) 1.917 1.917
L
E  29,000 ksi
Y  36 ksi  200
allow 
Y (Eq. 11-81) 0.5152 0.3760
r max

allow 
Y (Eq. 11-82) 0.2020 0.1137
L 2 E2
allow (ksi) 18.55 13.54 7.274 4.091
Eq. (11-76):   126.1
r c B sY Pallow  A
allow 247 k 180 k 96.7 k 54.4 k

Lc  126.1 r  253.5 in.  21.1 ft

Problem 11.9-2 Determine the allowable axial load Pallow for a

W 12
87 steel wide-flange column with pinned ends (see figure)
for each of the following lengths: L  10 ft, 20 ft, 30 ft, and 40 ft.
(Assume E  29,000 ksi and
Y  50 ksi.)

Solution 11.9-2 Steel wide-flange column

Pinned ends (K  1). L 10 ft 20 ft 30 ft 40 ft
Buckling about axis 2-2 (see Table E-1). Lr 39.09 78.18 117.3 156.4
Use AISC formulas. n1 (Eq. 11-79) 1.798 1.892
W 12
87 A  25.6 in.2 r2  3.07 in. n2 (Eq. 11-80) 1.917 1.917
L
E  29,000 ksi
Y  50 ksi  200
allow 
Y (Eq. 11-81) 0.5192 0.3875
r max

allow 
Y (Eq. 11-82) 0.2172 0.1222
L 22E
allow (ksi) 25.96 19.37 10.86 6.11
Eq. (11-76):   107.0
r c B sY Pallow  A
allow 665 k 496 k 278 k 156 k
Lc  1.070 r  328.5 in.  27.4 ft

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708 CHAPTER 11 Columns

Problem 11.9-3 Determine the allowable axial load Pallow for a

W 10
60 steel wide-flange column with pinned ends (see figure)
for each of the following lengths: L  10 ft, 20 ft, 30 ft, and 40 ft.
(Assume E  29,000 ksi and
Y  36 ksi.)

Solution 11.9-3 Steel wide-flange column

L 10 ft 20 ft 30 ft 40 ft
Pinned ends (K  1). Lr 46.69 93.39 140.1 186.8
Buckling about axis 2-2 (see Table E-1).
n1 (Eq. 11-79) 1.799 1.894
Use AISC formulas.
W 10
60 A  17.6 in.2 r2  2.57 in. n2 (Eq. 11-80) 1.917 1.917
L
allow 
Y (Eq. 11-81) 0.5177 0.3833
E  29,000 ksi
Y  36 ksi  200
r max
allow 
Y (Eq. 11-82) 0.2114 0.1189

allow (ksi) 18.64 13.80 7.610 4.281
L 22E
Eq. (11-76):   126.1 Pallow  A
allow 328 k 243 k 134 k 75.3 k
r c B sY
Lc  126.1 r  324.1 in.  27.0 ft

Problem 11.9-4 Select a steel wide-flange column of nominal depth

10 in. (W 10 shape) to support an axial load P  180 k (see figure). The
column has pinned ends and length L  14 ft. Assume E  29,000 ksi
and
Y  36 ksi. (Note: The selection of columns is limited to those
listed in Table E-1, Appendix E.)

Solution 11.9-4 Select a column of W10 shape

P  180 k L  14 ft  168 in. K1 A  13.3 in.2 r  2.01 in.

Y  36 ksi (4) ALLOWABLE STRESS FOR TRIAL COLUMN
E  29,000 ksi L 168 in. L L
2   83.58
6
L 2 E r 2.01 in. r r c
Eq. (11-76):   126.1
r c B sY Eqs. (11-79) and (11-81): n1  1.879
sallow
(1) TRIAL VALUE OF
allow  0.4153
sallow  14.95 ksi
sY
Upper limit: use Eq. (11-81) with L r  0
(5) ALLOWABLE LOAD FOR TRIAL COLUMN
sY sY
max. sallow    21.6 ksi Pallow 
allow A  199 k  180 k (ok)
n1 5
3
Try
allow  16 ksi (W 10
45)

(2) TRIAL VALUE OF AREA (6) NEXT SMALLER SIZE COLUMN

P 180 k W10
30 A  8.84 in.2 r  1.37 in.

A   11.25 in.2 L L
sallow 16 ksi  122.6
6
r r c
(3) TRIAL COLUMN W 10
45 n  1.916
allow  9.903 ksi
Pallow  88 k  P  180 k (Not satisfactory)

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 SECTION 11.9 Design Formulas for Columns 709

Problem 11.9-5 Select a steel wide-flange column of nominal depth

12 in. (W 12 shape) to support an axial load P  175 k (see figure).
The column has pinned ends and length L  35 ft. Assume E  29,000
ksi and
Y  36 ksi. (Note: The selection of columns is limited to those
listed in Table E-1, Appendix E.)

Solution 11.9-5 Select a column of W12 shape

P  175 k L  35 ft  420 in. K1 (4) ALLOWABLE STRESS FOR TRIAL COLUMN

Y  36 ksi E  29,000 ksi
L 4.20 in. L L
L 22E   136.8
7
Eq. (11-76):   126.1 r 3.07 in. r r c
r c B sY Eqs. (11-80) and (11-82): n2  1.917
sallow
(1) TRIAL VALUE OF
allow  0.2216
sallow  7.979 ksi
sY
Upper limit: use Eq. (11-81) with Lr  0
(5) ALLOWABLE LOAD FOR TRIAL COLUMN
sY sY
max. sallow    21.6 ksi
n1 5
3 Pallow 
allow A 204 k  175 k (ok)
Try
allow  8 ksi (Because column is very long)
(6) NEXT SMALLER SIZE COLUMN
(2) TRIAL VALUE OF AREA W 12
50 A  14.7 in.2 r  1.96 in.
P 175 k L
A   22 in.2  214 Since the maximum permissible value of
sallow 8 ksi r
Lr is 200, this section is not satisfactory.

(3) TRIAL COLUMN W 12
87 Select W 12
87

A  25.6 in.2 r  3.07 in.

Problem 11.9-6 Select a steel wide-flange column of nominal depth

14 in. (W 14 shape) to support an axial load P  250 k (see figure). The
column has pinned ends and length L  20 ft. Assume E  29,000 ksi
and
Y  50 ksi. (Note: The selection of columns is limited to those
listed in Table E-1, Appendix E.)

Solution 11.9-6 Select a column of W14 shape

P  250 k L  20 ft  240 in. K1 (2) TRIAL VALUE OF AREA

Y  50 ksi
E  29,000 ksi P 250 k
A   21 in.2
sallow 12 ksi
L 22E
Eq. (11-76):   107.0
r c B sY (3) TRIAL COLUMN W 14
82

(1) TRIAL VALUE OF
allow A  24.1 in.2 r  2.48 in.

Upper limit: use Eq. (11-81) with Lr  0 (4) ALLOWABLE STRESS FOR TRIAL COLUMN
sY sY
max. sallow    30 ksi
n 1 5
3 L 240 in. L L
  96.77
6
Try
allow  12 ksi r 2.48 in. r r c

Eqs. (11-79) and (11-81): n1  1.913

sallow
 0.3089
sallow  15.44 ksi
sY

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710 CHAPTER 11 Columns

L L
(5) ALLOWABLE LOAD FOR TRIAL COLUMN  125.0 7
r r c
Pallow 
allow A 372 k  250 k (ok) n  1.917
allow  9.557 ksi
(W 14
82) Pallow  149 k  P  250 k (Not satisfactory)
Select W 14
82
(6) NEXT SMALLER SIZE COLUMN
W 14
53 A  15.6 in.2 r  1.92 in.

Problem 11.9-7 Determine the allowable axial load Pallow for a steel
pipe column with pinned ends having an outside diameter of 4.5 in. and
wall thickness of 0.237 in. for each of the following lengths: L  6 ft,
12 ft, 18 ft, and 24 ft. (Assume E  29,000 ksi and
Y  36 ksi.)

Solution 11.9-7 Steel pipe column

Pinned ends (K  1). L 6 ft 12 ft 18 ft 24 ft
Use AISC formulas.
d2  4.5 in. t  0.237 in. d1  4.026 in. Lr 47.70 95.39 143.1 190.8
 n1 (Eq. 11-79) 1.802 1.896
A  (d 22  d 21 )  3.1740 in.2
4 n2 (Eq. 11-80) 1.917 1.917
 4
allow 
Y (Eq. 11-81) 0.5153 0.3765
I  (d 2  d 41 )  7.2326 in.4
64
allow 
Y (Eq. 11-82) 0.2026 0.1140
I L
r  1.5095 in.  200
allow (ksi) 18.55 13.55 7.293 4.102
BA r max
Pallow  A
allow 58.9 k 43.0 k 23.1 k 13.0 k
E  29,000 ksi
Y  36 ksi
L 22E
Eq.(11-76):   126.1
r c B sY
Lc  126.1 r  190.4 in.  15.9 ft

Problem 11.9-8 Determine the allowable axial load Pallow for a

steel pipe column with pinned ends having an outside diameter of
220 mm and wall thickness of 12 mm for each of the following
lengths: L  2.5 m, 5 m, 7.5 m, and 10 m. (Assume E  200 GPa
and
Y  250 MPa.)

Solution 11.9-8 Steel pipe column

Pinned ends (K  1). L 22E
Eq.(11-76):   125.7
Use AISC formulas. r c B sY
d2  220 mm t  12 mm d1  196 mm Lc  125.7 r  9257 mm  9.26 m
 2
A  (d 2  d 1 )  7841.4 mm
2 2
L 2.5 m 5.0 m 7.5 m 10.0 m
4
I  (d 42  d 41 )  42.548
106 mm4 Lr 33.94 67.88 101.8 135.8
64
n1 (Eq. 11-79) 1.765 1.850 1.904
I L
r  73.661 mm  200 n2 (Eq. 11-80) 1.917
BA r max

allow 
Y (Eq. 11-81) 0.5458 0.4618 0.3528
E  200 GPa
Y  250 MPa
allow 
Y (Eq. 11-82) 0.2235

allow (MPa) 136.4 115.5 88.20 55.89
Pallow  A
allow 1070 kN 905 kN 692 kN 438 kN

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