Chapter 06

Combined Axial and Bending Stresses

6.1 INTRODUCTION

Members subject to combined axial force and bending moment are called beam-column. The
bending moment can be due to lateral loads or an eccentric load.

6.2 AXIAL COMPRESSION AND BENDING

When a member is acted upon by these loads, the stresses produced (axial stress and bending
stress) is not added to obtain the combined stresses. Additional stresses resulting from a
secondary moment (caused by P-∆ effect) must be taken into account, especially when the
member is subject to large axial compressive force.

The secondary moment are known as secondary-order effects. To account for this second-order
effects, moment amplification factors are used.

6.2.1 SMALL AXIAL COMPRESSION (fa/Fa ≤ 0.15)

An axial compressive load on a beam-column is considered “small” when fa/Fa does not exceed
0.15. Such a member is essentially a beam and a simplified interaction equation is used without
the amplification factors.

f a f bx f by
+ + ≤ 1.0 Eq.6.1
F a F bx Fby
6.2.2 LARGE AXIAL COMPRESSION (fa/Fa > 0.15)

When fa/Fa exceeds 0.15, the beam-column is said to be under “large” compression. According
to Section 508.2 of NSCP, the member must satisfy the following requirements:

Stability interaction criterion:

Eq.6.2
fa C mx f bx C my f by
+ + ≤ 1.0
Fa f f
( ) (
1− a F bx
F ' ex
1− a Fby
F ' ey)
Strength interaction criterion:

Eq.6.3
fa f bx f by
+ + ≤1.0
0.60 F y F bx F by

The terms 1/ [1- (fa/F’e)] are the moment amplification factors. F’e is the Euler stress divided by a
factor of safety.

Eq.6.4
12 r ² E
F ' e=
23 (K Lb /r b) ²

The amplification factor is also modified by a reduction coefficient Cm. its value is taken as
follows:

a. For compression members in frames subject to joint translation (sidesway), Cm= 0.85
b. For rotationally restrained compression members in frames braced against joint
translation and not subject to transverse loading between their supports in the plane of
bending,

M1
C m=0.6−0.4 ( )
M2
≥ 0.40 Eq.6.5
Where M1/M2 is the ratio of the smaller to larger moments at the ends of the portion of
the member unbraced in the plane of bending under consideration. M1/M2 is positive
when the member is bent in reverse curvature, negative when bent in single curvature.

c. For compression members in frames braced against joint translation in the plane of
loading and subjected to transverse loading between their supports, the value of Cm may
be determined by an analysis. However, in lieu of such analysis, the following values are
permitted.

i. For members whose ends are restrained against rotation in the plane of bending,
Cm= 0.85
ii. For members whose ends are unrestrained against rotation in the plane of
bending, Cm =1.0

M1 = ½ M 2 M1 = M 2 M1 = 0
Cm = 0.4 Cm = 1.0 Cm = 0.6
M1/M2 is positive M1/M2 is negative M1/M2 is negative

Figure 6-1 – Values of Cm

Where

fa computed axial stress

fb computed bending stress

Fa allowable axial stress if axial force existed

Fb allowable compressive bending stress if bending moment alone existed

K effective length factor

Lb actual unbraced length in the plane of bending

6.3 AXIAL TENSION AND BENDING

Members subject to both axial tension and bending stresses must satisfy the following equation:

f a f bx f by Eq.6.6
+ + ≤ 1.0
F t Fbx F by

Where fb is the computed bending stress, fa is the computed axial tensile stress, Fb is the
allowable bending stress and Ft is the governing allowable tensile stress.
ILLUSTRATIVE PROBLEMS
Problem 6-1

The A-36 steel W 6 x 20 column in Figure 6-2 is pin connected at the top and fixed at the bottom
(K = 0.7) and is subjected to the eccentric load P. the beam is laterally supported about its weak
axis.

The properties of W 6 x 20 relevant to this problem are as follows:

A = 3,790 mm²

Ix = 17,231,980 mm⁴

d = 157 mm

Determine the maximum value of P. the allowable bending stress of the section is Fb = 152 MPa.

SOLUTION
I 17,231,980
rx =
√ √
A
=
3790

rx = 67.43 mm

KL 0.7( 4500)
Slenderness ratio, SR = =
rx 67.43

SR = 46.7

Solve for Fa:

2π²E
[Cc =
√ Fy
] Fy = 248 MPa, E = 200,000 MPa

2 π ²(200,000)
Cc =
√ 248
= 126.2 > KL/r

Fa = ¿

5
FS= +3 ¿ ¿
3

5 3 ( 46.7 ) ( 46.7 )3
FS= + − =1.8
3 8 (126.2 ) 8 ( 126.2 )3

( 46.7 )2 248
Fa = 1−
[ ]
2 ( 126.2 )2 1.8

Fa = 128.3 MPa

P P
[fa = ] fa =
A 3,790

fa = 0.0002638P

Mc
[fb = ] M = Pe = 750P
I

157
( 750 P ) (
)
fb = 2
17,231,980

fb = 0.0034166P

Assuming fa / Fa ≤ 0.15,
fa fb
[ + ≤1.0
Fa Fb ]
0.0002638 P 0.0034166 P
+ =1
128.3 152

P = 40,760 N

fa = 0.0002638(40,760) = 10.75 MPa

fa / Fa = 10.75/128.3 = 0.084 < 0.15 (OK)

Therefore, P = 40,760 N

Problem 6-2

Steel column 3.6 m long and hinged at both ends is used to carry an axial load of 1000 kN. The
column is subject to end moments (reverse curvature) with M1 = 90% M2. Fy = 248 MPa, E = 200
GPa. The allowable axial stress Fa = 115 MPa and the allowable bending stress Fb = 149 MPa.

The properties of the section are as follows:

A = 0.013 m²

Sx = 0.00012 m³

rb = 94 mm.

a.) Determine the computed (actual) axial stress of the column.

SOLUTION

Part a:

P 1000 kN
fa = =
A 0.013 m²

fa = 76,923 kPa

fa = 76.923 MPa

Part b:
fa / Fa = 76.923/115

fa / Fa = 0.669 > 0.15 “large axial compression”

Cm = 0.6 - 0.4 (M1 / M2 )

Cm = 0.6 - 0.4 (0.9M1 / M2 ) = 0.24 < 0.4 (Use Cm = 0.4)

12 π ² E
F’e =
23 ¿ ¿

12 π ²(200,000)
F’e =
23 ¿ ¿

fa C mx f bx

[ Fa
+
1−( fa
F ' ex
=1

) ]
76.923 0.4 fb
+ =1
115 76.923
( 1−
702.16
149 )
fb = 109.82 MPa

Also:

fa f
[ + bx =1
0.6 F y F bx ]
76.923 fb
+ =1
0.6 ( 248 ) 149

fb = 71.97 MPa

Thus, fb = 71.97 MPa

Part c:

M M
[ f b=
Sx ]
f b=
0.00012 ( 1000 )3
=71.97

M = 8,636,400 N-mm

M = 8.6364 kN-m
Problem 6-3

Figure 6-3 shows a column subjected to axial load P = 40 kN and a bending moment of 60 kN-
m on strong axis. The column is 9 m long and laterally supported about its weak axis at mid-
height. The steel is A36 steel with Fy = 248 MPa. Effective length factor K = 1.0. the section
used is a compact section. The allowable bending stress on strong axis is 114 MPa and the
allowable bending stress on weak axis is 82 MPa.

The properties of the section are as follows:

A= 5,580 mm² ry = 41.7 mm

d/tw = 58.33 Sx = 697 x 10³ mm³

by/2ty = 9 rt = 47.8 mm

rx = 147.9 mm Bf = 180 mm

d = 350 mm tf = 10 mm

a.) Determine the computed axial stress.

SOLUTION
Part a:

P 40,000
Computed axial stress, fa = =
A 5,580

Computed axial stress, fa = 7.17 MPa

Part b:

M 60 x 106
Computed bending stress, fb = =
S x 697 x 10 3

Computed bending stress, fb = 86.08 MPa

Part c:

Allowable axial stress, Fax:

2 π2 E 2 π ²(200,000)
Cc =
√ Fy
=
√ 248
= 126.17

Klx/rx = 1(9000)/147.9 = 60.85

Since kL/r < Cc:

5
FS = +3 ¿ ¿
3

F a=¿

f a / Fa =7.17/119.76

f a / Fa =0.06<0.15 “small axial compression”

f a f bx f by
[ + +
F a F bx F by
≤1.0
]
f by
Note: The term is zero since bending is on x axis only.
F by

F bx= 114 MPa

Value of interaction equation:

f a f bx 7.17 86.08
+ = +
F a F bx 119.76 114
f a f bx
+ = 0.815
F a F bx

Problem 6-4

Determine the adequacy of the W 14 x 120 A36 shape to carry an axial compressive load of 880
kN and a moment of 330 kN-m about its strong axis. The unsupported length is 6 m and the
member is subjected to joint translation (sidesway). Use K = 1.0.

SOLUTION

Properties of W 14 x 120:

d = 367.80 mm Ix = 574,399,000 mm^4

tw = 15.00 mm Sx = 3,123,431 mm³

bf = 372.60 mm rx = 158.81 mm

tf = 23.90 mm

A = 22,774.00 mm² Iy = 206,035,000 mm^4

W = 179.14 kg/m Sy = 1,105,931.29 mm³

rt = 102.62 mm ry = 95.12 mm

K = 1.0

Cb = 1.0

Cm = 0.85 (sidesway is permitted)

Computed axial stress:

P 880,000
[ f a=
A ] f a=
22,774

f a=38.64 MPa

Computed bending stress:

M 330 x 106
[ f b=
Sx ] f b=
3,123,431

f b=105.65 MPa

Allowable axial compressive stress:

KL 1(6,000)
= =63.08<C c
r 95.12

5 3 ( KL/r )
FS= + −¿ ¿
3 8 Cc

5 3 ( 63.08 ) ( 63.08 )3
FS= + −
3 8 (126.16 ) 8 ( 126.16 )3

FS=1.84

F a=¿

( 63.08 )2 248
(
F a= 1−
)
2 ( 126.16 )2 1.84

F a=117.93 MPa

f a 38.64
= =0.328> 0.15 “large axial compression”
F a 117.93

Allowable bending stress:

Lc = smaller value of ¿

200 bf
=4,732 mm
√F y
137,900
¿¿
Lc = 4,732 mm

Since Lb > Lc
L 6,000
= =58.47
r T 102.62

703,270 C b
√ Fy
= 53.25

3,516,330 C b
√ Fy
= 119.07

703,270C b L 3,516,330C b
Fy
< <
rT Fy √
Fb = larger value of (Fb1 & Fb3) ≤ 0.6 Fy

F b 1=¿

F b 1=165 MPa

82,740 ( 1 )
F b 3= =333.88 MPa
367.8
6,000
372.6 ( 23.9 )

0.6 F y =148.8 MPa

F b=148.8 MPa

12 π 2 E 12 π 2 ( 200,000 )
F 'ex = = =721.5 MPa
KLx 2 2
1 ( 6,000 )
23
( ) (
rx
23
158.81 )

Stability criterion:

fa C mx f bx C my f by
+ + ≤ 1.0
Fa f f
( 1− a F bx
F ' ex ) ( 1− a Fby
F ' ey )
0.85(105.65) (OK)
0.328+ + 0−0.97 <1.0
38.64
( 1−
721.5)148.8

Strength criterion:

fa f bx f by
+ + ≤1.0
0.60 F y F bx F by
(OK)
38.64 105.65
+ + 0−0.97<1.0
0.60(248) 148.8

Therefore, the section is ADEQUATE.