Technical

Columns in simple design

according to the Eurocodes
Dorota Koschmidder of SCI explains the simplified method of designing continuous columns in
simple construction according to the Eurocodes.

Introduction The moment applied by these eccentric reactions should

Structures of simple design are composed of members be divided between column lengths above and below the
connected by nominally pinned joints and resistance to level considered in proportion to their stiffness (as shown
horizontal forces is provided by bracing. This assumption makes diagrammatically in Figure 2), unless the stiffness ratio is below
the design of beams much easier, as each of them can be treated 1.5, in which case the moment may be divided equally.
as simply supported. Beams are connected to the column face The buckling resistance moment for simple construction Mbs is
usually inducing a small bending moment in the column because determined using an equivalent slenderness value of λLT = 0.5L/ry ,
of the eccentric application of transferred force. The columns are where L is the distance between levels, at which the column is
usually continuous over the height of the building. laterally restrained in both directions.
Design rules regarding continuous columns in simple
structures were given starting from the early versions of BS 449.
BS 5950-1:2010 gave simplified rules specifically for this type General approach for members under combined bending and
of construction in Clause 4.7.7. However in BS EN 1993-1-1 the axial compression in BS EN 1993-1-1
only option for members in combined axial compression and Clause 6.3.3(4) of BS EN 1993-1-1 gives two expressions that
bending is the general guidance in Clause 6.3.3 (4), which is very should be satisfied for members under combined bending and
complex compared to the elegance of Clause 4.7.7 in BS 5950. compression.
The subject of columns in simple design structures is addressed NEd My,Ed + ΔMy,Ed Mz,Ed + ΔMz,Ed
in the UK-specific NCCI: Verification of columns in simple design - + kyy + kyz ≤ 1.0
a simplified interaction criterion, SN048b-EN-GB. This document
χy NRk / γM1 (
χLT My,Rk / γM1 ) Mz,Rk / γM1
can be found at http://www. steelbiz.org/. 
And:
NEd My,Ed + ΔMy,Ed Mz,Ed + ΔMz,Ed
+ kzy + kzz ≤ 1.0

χz NRk / γM1 (
χLT My,Rk / γM1) Mz,Rk / γM1

where:
χy , χz are the reduction factors for flexural buckling about the
major and minor axes
Figure 1: Example of simple construction χLT is the reduction factor for lateral-torsional buckling
kyy , kyz , kzz and kzy are interaction factors determined from either
Annex A or B of BS EN 1993-1-1. The calculation of the “k” factors
BS 5950 rules to either Annex is tedious and requires careful evaluation of
BS 5950-1 offers comprehensive guidance for columns in simple effects coexisting in various situations.
design. There is no need to consider pattern loading – all the
beams supported by the column should be assumed to be fully
loaded. To determine the nominal bending moments in the Simplified guidance in SN048
column, beam reactions are taken as acting 100 mm from the This NCCI document was developed in order to offer a simplified
face of the column, with the exception of members supported on expression for the verification of columns that will avoid the
cap plates. calculation of “k” factors required in Expressions 6.61 and 6.62
of BS EN 1993-1-1. The objective is to closely follow guidance
Upper similar to that given in BS 5950, so the initial assumptions are
very familiar.

ML Mu The NCCI gives rules for the design of columns of Class 1, 2 or 3

cross section under compression provided the following criteria
are satisfied:
• The column is a hot rolled I, H or RHS section
• The bending moment diagrams about each axis are linear
• The column is restrained laterally in both the y and z
Lower
directions at each floor level but is unrestrained between
Figure 2: Distribution of nominal moments from floor beams
floors

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Technical

• The bending moment ratios (ψi) as defined in Table B.3 in the design value of the bending resistance of the cross section,
BS EN 1993-1-1 are below the values given in Tables 2.1 or 2.2 when γM1 = γM0 .
in the NCCI document SN048.
Or In this Eurocode-compliant guidance there is no equivalent of
If the column base is nominally pinned (ψy = ψz = 0) the axial λLT = 0.5L/ry slenderness reduction and the designers need to
NEd follow the general method of determining λLT . Values of My,b,Rd
force ratio is such that ≤ 0.83 , where Ny,b,Rd is the and Nmin,b,Rd can be taken from the SCI “Blue Book” (P363) for
Ny,b,Rd convenience.
resistance to buckling about the major axis.

When the above mentioned conditions are fulfilled member Worked example
verification may be carried out using the simplified expression: Consider a 203 × 203 × 46 UKC column in simple design in S275
NEd My,Ed Mz,Ed steel subject to the following values of forces and moments:
+ + 1.5 ≤ 1.0
Nmin,b,Rd My,b,Rd Mz,cb,Rd
 Design compression force NEd = 589 kN
where: Design bending moment about the y-y axis My,Ed = 11.11 kNm
NEd , My,Ed and Mz,Ed are the design values of axial force and Design bending moment about the z-z axis Mz,Ed = 0.35 kNm
nominal bending moments about y-y and z-z axis respectively
My,Ed Mz,Ed
χy ƒy A χz ƒy A
Nmin,b,Rd is the lesser of and , where χy , χz are
γM1 γM1

the reduction factors for flexural buckling about the major and
minor axes
ƒy Wpl,y
My,b,Rd is equal to χLT , where χLT is the reduction factor
γM1

for lateral torsional buckling

ƒy Wpl,z
ψyMy,Ed ψzMz,Ed
Mz,cb,Rd is given by the expression for Class 1 and 2 y - y axis z - z axis
γM1
ƒy Wel,z
sections and for Class 3 sections, which is the same as Axial force ratio and cross section classification
γM1

Hot Finished
& Cold Formed
Structural
Hollow
Sections
GRADE S355J2H RAINHAM STEEL
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Technical

The design resistance obtained from SCI publication P363 For a column nominally pinned at the base, C1 = 1.77
Npl,Rd = 1610 kN For C1 = 1.77 and L = 5 m it was calculated that Mb,Rd = 135 kNm
NEd Wpl,z ƒy
n=  For bending about the minor axis,  Mz,cb,Rd =
Npl,Ed γM1

Limiting value of n for Class 2 sections is 1.0 As the section is Class 2 and the UK National Annex to
BS EN 1993-1-1 gives the same value for γM0 and γM1 ,
589
n =  = 0.37 < 1.0
1610 Wpl,z ƒy
Mz,cb,Rd = Mc,z,Rd =
γM0
Therefore, under bending and NEd = 589 kN the section is at least 
Class 2. The value of Mz, cb,Rd = 63.5 kNm is obtained from SCI publication
P363.

Interaction criterion Therefore

As the sections meets the criteria in the NCCI document SN048, NEd My,Ed Mz,Ed
the simplified interaction equation may be used + + 1.5
Nmin,b,Rd My,b,Rd Mz,cb,Rd

NEd My,Ed Mz,Ed
+ + 1.5 ≤ 1.0
Nmin,b,Rd My,b,Rd Mz,cb,Rd

For buckling length L = 5 m and n ≤ 1.0 member buckling table

= ( ) ( )
589
762
+
11.11
135
+ 1.5 × ( ) 0.35
63.5
= 0.86 < 1.0

from P363 gives the following values Therefore the resistance of the member is adequate.

Nb,y,Rd = 1310 kN
Nb,z,Rd = 762 kN Conclusion
Therefore, Design of continuous columns in simple construction is not
Nmin,b,Rd = 762 kN explicitly covered in the Eurocodes, but there is NCCI available.
Limitations on the application of the NCCI are usually not critical
Conservatively, the value for Mb,Rd may be taken from the axial and the designers are given a simple interaction equation as an
and bending table in SCI P363 (Mb,Rd = 109 kNm) where the alternative to the general equations (6.61) and (6.62) given in
values are based on C1 = 1.0. However, a more exact value may be BS EN 1993-1-1.
determined from the bending resistance table.

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