Eccentrically Loaded Columns

Eccentrically Loaded
Columns

1
 Eccentrically Loaded Columns
Examples of Eccentrically Loaded Columns

(Thin Vessels example are Courtesy of Google Images )

 Eccentrically Loaded Columns

Columns: Basic
For Academic use only. No commercial use without prior permission of

 A structural member subjected to axial load only.

 Consider a column with load P,
 Start increasing load P,
 Column also starts to deform.
 At this stage, add small lateral force,
 Watch for lateral displacement
 Lateral displacement disappear after the removal of
lateral force.
 Further increase in load P brings an unstable straight
Javaid.Ahmad@nu.edu.pk

configuration.
 Now, a small lateral force causes large deformation
in lateral direction.
 The axial load that demarcates the stable and unstable
equilibrium of a straight column is Critical Load (Pcr) or
Euler Load (Pe). 3
 Eccentrically Loaded Columns

Columns: Basic (Cont’d)

For Academic use only. No commercial use without prior permission of

 Short Columns or Posts:

 Usually yielding stress of material reaches before
buckling,
 Do not become unstable but material simply yields
(ductile material like steel) or fractures (brittle material
like concrete),
 Therefore, Yielding load governs the limit state.
 Long or Slender Columns:
 Yielding of column not even reached (Compressive
Javaid.Ahmad@nu.edu.pk

stress is in Elastic limit),

 Buckling may occur first, therefore, referred as elastic
buckling.
 Critical load (Pcr) governs the limit state.

4
 Eccentrically Loaded Columns

Columns: Basic (Cont’d)

For Academic use only. No commercial use without prior permission of

 Intermediate Columns:
 Compressive stress exceeds the proportional limit of
the material (below the yielding stress),
 Buckling may occur first before the yielding, therefore,
referred as inelastic buckling.
 Critical load (Pcr) governs the limit state (Euler
equation(s) should be modified to apply for inelastic
buckling).
Javaid.Ahmad@nu.edu.pk

5
 Eccentrically Loaded Columns

Design of Columns
For Academic use only. No commercial use without prior permission of

 Short Columns:
 Find permissible load carrying capacity under given
allowable stress
• Centric loaded columns,
• Eccentric loaded columns

 Long or Slender Columns:

 Find Critical load or Euler load of columns with given
boundary conditions.
Javaid.Ahmad@nu.edu.pk

6
 Eccentrically Loaded Columns

Eccentrically Loaded Columns

For Academic use only. No commercial use without prior permission of

 In case, eccentricity along one axis, σecn = σcen + σbend

Javaid.Ahmad@nu.edu.pk

 In case, eccentricity along both axes,

(1)

7
 Eccentrically Loaded Columns

Eccentrically Loaded Columns: Design

For Academic use only. No commercial use without prior permission of

Two methods
 Allowable-Stress Method
• It is assumed that the allowable stresses for
eccentric loaded column is the same as used
for centric loaded.
(2)

• Allowable stress for centric loaded columns

Javaid.Ahmad@nu.edu.pk

is generally smaller than for pure bending

column cases. (possibility of buckling).
• Very conservative design.
• Empirical equations are used to determine the
allowable stress.
8
 Eccentrically Loaded Columns

Eccentrically Loaded Columns: Design

For Academic use only. No commercial use without prior permission of

 Interaction Method
• Two allowable stresses are used, one for centric
loaded part and second for the bending part.
(3)

• Permissible loading capacity is more than the

one determined by using the Allowable-
Stress method.
Javaid.Ahmad@nu.edu.pk

9
 Eccentrically Loaded Columns

How to Calculate Allowable Stress

For Academic use only. No commercial use without prior permission of

 Select empirical equation for the given column

condition.
 Calculate the value of Slenderness ratio L/r.
where L and r are the effective length and the radius of
gyration of the column, respectively.
 Use appropriate equation and compute the value of
allowable stress.
Javaid.Ahmad@nu.edu.pk

10
 Eccentrically Loaded Columns

Calculating Allowable Stress (Cont’d)

For Academic use only. No commercial use without prior permission of

Steel Columns:
(National Forest Products Association (NFPA) Formulas:

*where KL is effective length and d is the least dimension

Javaid.Ahmad@nu.edu.pk

of the cross section.

11
 Eccentrically Loaded Columns

Calculating Allowable Stress (Cont’d)

For Academic use only. No commercial use without prior permission of

Aluminum Columns:
Javaid.Ahmad@nu.edu.pk

*where L is effective length and r is the radius of gyration.

12
 Eccentrically Loaded Columns

Calculating Allowable Stress (Cont’d)

For Academic use only. No commercial use without prior permission of

Timber Columns:
(National Forest Products Association (NFPA) Formulas:

*where KL is effective length and d is the least dimension

Javaid.Ahmad@nu.edu.pk

of the cross section.

13
 Eccentrically Loaded Columns

Calculating Effective Length

For Academic use only. No commercial use without prior permission of

Support Condition Effective Length

Pin-Pin L
Pin-Fixed
Fixed-Fixed L/2
Fixed-Free 2L
Javaid.Ahmad@nu.edu.pk

14
 Eccentrically Loaded Columns
Sample Problem 1
For Academic use only. No commercial use without prior permission of

A column 2″ x 2″ cross section with an effective length of 28″ is

made of Aluminum Alloy 2014-T6. Use Allowable stress
method to compute the load P that can be applied safely
supported with an eccentricity of 0.8 in (SLO 2.3).
Javaid.Ahmad@nu.edu.pk

15
 Eccentrically Loaded Columns
Sample Problem 1: Solution
For Academic use only. No commercial use without prior permission of

SLO 2.2
 A = 4 in2
 I = 1.333 in4
 r = 0.5774 in (r2 = I/A)
 L/r = 48.5
 Select equation for L/r = 48.5
 Use 1st Eq. for Aluminum Alloy 2014-T6 to get σall
 σall = 30.9 – 0.229 (Le/r)
 σall = 19.79 ksi
 Use
Javaid.Ahmad@nu.edu.pk

 P/4 + Px0.8x1/1.333) = 19.79

 P= 23.3 kips (Allowable stress method)

16
 Eccentrically Loaded Columns
Sample Problem 2
For Academic use only. No commercial use without prior permission of

A column bar having a length of 30″ is subjected to the loading

as shown in the figure. It is pin supported at the ends and made
of Aluminum Alloy 6061-T6. Determine the cross-sectional area
to support the given loading within allowable stress.
Javaid.Ahmad@nu.edu.pk

17
 Eccentrically Loaded Columns
Sample Problem 2: Solution
For Academic use only. No commercial use without prior permission of

SLO 2.2
 A = 2b2 in2 and I = b4/6 in4
 r = 0.2886b
 L/r = 103.92/b
 Assume L/r < 66
 First apply Eq.(1) for Aluminum Alloy 6061-T6
 σmax =P/A= σall = 20.3 – 0.127(L/r) >> b=0.958
 Check: L/r = 109 > 66, Not OK, Use Eq. (2)
 σmax =P/A= σall = 51400/(L/r)2 >> b=1.06, say b=1.1
 Check: L/r = 94 > 66, OK
Javaid.Ahmad@nu.edu.pk

 σmax = 4.96 ksi < σall = 5.81 ksi

 Therefore, use 2.2″ x 1.1″ section.

18
 Eccentrically Loaded Columns

Sample Problem 3
For Academic use only. No commercial use without prior permission of

Determine the maximum allowable eccentric load P, by using

NFPA equations, that can be applied to the wood column. The
column is fixed at its base and free at its top.
Javaid.Ahmad@nu.edu.pk

19
 Eccentrically Loaded Columns
Sample Problem 3: Solution
For Academic use only. No commercial use without prior permission of

SLO 2.2:
 A = 18 in2,
 e = 5 in
My = Pz x ex = 5P
 Iy = 54 in4
 KL/d = 2x6x12/3 = 48
 As KL/d > 26 and KL/d >50,
 Use 3rd Eq. for NFPA equations
 σall = 540/(kL/d)2 = 0.234 ksi
 Use Allowable stress method
Javaid.Ahmad@nu.edu.pk

 P/A + Myx/Iy = σall

 P = 703 lbs

20
 Eccentrically Loaded Columns
Sample Problem 4
For Academic use only. No commercial use without prior permission of

A hollow column bar is subjected to an eccentric loading as

shown in the figure. It is fixed at the base and free at the top and
made of Aluminum Alloy 2014-T6. (a) Determine the maximum
load that can be applied safely by using Allowable stress method
(SLO 2.2). Take wall thickness t = 0.5 in. (b) Repeat the same
problem by using Aluminum Alloy 6061-T6 and comment on
the difference in loading capacity (SLO 2.4).
Javaid.Ahmad@nu.edu.pk

21
 Eccentrically Loaded Columns
Sample Problem 4: Solution
For Academic use only. No commercial use without prior permission of

SLO 2.2:
 A = 8 in2, Ix = 33.167 in4, Iy = 10.167 in4
rx = 2.036 in, ry = 1.127 in
 Use rmin, L/rmin = 2x96/(1.127) = 170.36 > 55,
 Use 2nd Eq. for Aluminum Alloy 2014-T6
 σall = 55400/(L/r)2 = 1.91 ksi
 Use Allowable-stress method, P = 2.86 kips
SLO 2.4:
 A = 8 in2, Ix = 33.167 in4, Iy = 10.167 in4
rx = 2.036 in, ry = 1.127 in
Javaid.Ahmad@nu.edu.pk

 Use rmin, L/rmin = 2x96/(1.127) = 170.36 > 55,

 Use 2nd Eq. for Aluminum Alloy 6061-T6
 σall = 51400/(L/r)2 = 1.77 ksi
 Use Allowable-stress method, P = 2.65 kips
 Comments ??
22
 Eccentrically Loaded Columns

Sample Problem 5
For Academic use only. No commercial use without prior permission of

A circular column bar is subjected to the loading P=60 kN as

shown in the figure. It is pin supported at the ends and made of
Aluminum Alloy 2014-T6. Determine the smallest diameter that
can be used to support the centric load if (a) L = 750 mm, (b) L
= 300 mm.
Javaid.Ahmad@nu.edu.pk

23
 Eccentrically Loaded Columns
Sample Problem 5: Solution
For Academic use only. No commercial use without prior permission of

SLO 2.2
(a):
 r = d/4 and L/r = 3000/d
 First apply Eq.(1) for Aluminum Alloy 2014-T6
 σmax =P/A= σall = 213 – 1.577(L/r) >> d=33
 Check: L/r = 91 > 55, Not OK, Use Eq. (2)
 σmax =P/A= σall = 382000/(L/r)2 >> d=36.62, say d = 37 mm
 Check: L/r = 81 > 55 and
 σmax =P/A= 55.8 (=P/A) MPa < 58 MPa (=382000/(81)2, OK
(b):
Javaid.Ahmad@nu.edu.pk

 r = d/4 and L/r = 1200/d

 First apply Eq.(1) for Aluminum Alloy 2014-T6
 σmax =P/A= σall = 213 – 1.577(L/r) >> d=23.9, say 24
 Check: L/r = 50 > 55, OK and
 σmax =P/A= 132.7 MPa < 175 MPa, OK
24
 Eccentrically Loaded Columns
Sample Problem 6
For Academic use only. No commercial use without prior permission of

Repeat the same problem as in Prob 1 by using Interaction

method (SLO 2.3).
A column 2″ x 2″ cross section with an effective length of 28″ is
made of Aluminum Alloy 2014-T6. (a) Use Interaction method
to compute the load P that can be applied safely supported with
an eccentricity of 0.8 in. (b) Comments on the results and tell
which method is more conservative. Take allowable bending
stress as σall,bend = 24 ksi.
Javaid.Ahmad@nu.edu.pk

25
 Eccentrically Loaded Columns
Sample Problem 6: Solution
For Academic use only. No commercial use without prior permission of

SLO 2.2
 A = 4 in2
 I = 1.333 in4
 r = 0.5774 in (r2 = I/A)
 L/r = 48.5
 Select equation for L/r = 48.5
 Use 1st Eq. for Aluminum Alloy 2014-T6 to get σall
 σall = 30.9 – 0.229 (Le/r)
 σall,cent = 19.79 ksi
 σall,bend = 24 ksi
Javaid.Ahmad@nu.edu.pk

 P/(4x19.79) + Px0.8x1/(1.333x24)) = 1
 P= 26.6 kips (Interaction method)
 Comments: ??
 Allowable stress method is more conservative as it uses
lower value of allowable stress in bending.
26
 Eccentrically Loaded Columns
Sample Problem 7
For Academic use only. No commercial use without prior permission of

A column 50 x 50 mm cross section with an effective length of 1

m is made of Aluminum Alloy 2014-T6. Use both Allowable
stress method and Interaction method to compute the load P that
can be applied safely (SLO 2.2) . Assume allowable bending
stress =90 MPa.
Javaid.Ahmad@nu.edu.pk

27
 Eccentrically Loaded Columns
Sample Problem 7: Solution
For Academic use only. No commercial use without prior permission of

SLO 2.2:
 A = 2.5 x 10-3 m2
 I = 5.208 x 10-7 m4
 r = 0.0144
 L/r = 69.28 >> (Use 2nd Eq. for Aluminum Alloy 2014-T6 to
get σall)
 σall = 79.58 MPa
 P =? kN (Allowable stress method)
 P =? kN (Interaction method)
Javaid.Ahmad@nu.edu.pk

28