CE 388 Fundamentals of Steel Design Middle East Technical University
Spring 2024 Department of Civil Engineering
Problem Set #2 — Compression Members
1/ An HEM220 column is pinned at the top and bottom and has no intermediate supports. On the
same graph neatly plot the following curves for this column:
a/ 𝑃𝑛 vs 𝐿 for 𝐹𝑦 = 235 MPa
b/ 𝑃𝑛 vs 𝐿 for 𝐹𝑦 = 275 MPa
c/ 𝑃𝑛 vs 𝐿 for 𝐹𝑦 = 355 MPa
d/ 𝑃𝐸 vs 𝐿
where 𝐿 is the length of column, 𝑃𝑛 is the nominal compressive strength per Chapter E of AISC
Specification and 𝑃𝐸 is the Euler buckling load (𝑃𝐸 = 𝜋 2 𝐸𝐼⁄ 2 ).
𝐿
Plot 𝑃 on the vertical axis (0 to 5500 kN) and 𝐿 on the horizontal axis (0 to 15 m). For curves a, b,
and c, identify the regions of the curve corresponding to elastic and inelastic buckling.
𝑃
2/ Compute the design compressive strength (𝜙𝑐 𝑃𝑛 ) and allowable compressive strength ( 𝑛⁄Ω ) for
𝑐
each of the following columns.
a/ b/
CE 388 Problem Set #2 1/11
CE 388 Fundamentals of Steel Design Middle East Technical University
Spring 2024 Department of Civil Engineering
3/ Shown below is a portion of a multi-story unbraced frame. All stories are 3.5 m high. All beams
are IPN380. Out of plane, all columns are braced top and bottom. (𝐾𝑦 = 1) Design column "AB".
Choose the lightest I-shape of S275 (𝐹𝑦 = 275 MPa). Assume the columns above and below are the
same as "AB". Given axial load was determined based on LRFD Load Combinations. (i.e., use LRFD).
Try IPN, IPE, HEA, HEB, HEM, and HD sections.
4/ Consider a pin ended I‐section column constructed with this type of steel. Assuming that the
material fully yields at 250 MPa (𝐹𝑦 = 250 MPa), calculate the following:
a/ Determine the initial elastic modulus (𝐸) for this type of steel.
b/ On a single graph plot normalized stress (critical stress divided by the yield stress) versus
slenderness (𝐿⁄𝑟) for the following cases:
Case 1: Consider the elastic critical stress.
Case 2: Consider the tangent modulus critical stress.
Your (𝐿⁄𝑟) values should change between 80 and 300 for Case 1 and between zero and 300 for
Case 2.
CE 388 Problem Set #2 2/11
CE 388 Fundamentals of Steel Design Middle East Technical University
Spring 2024 Department of Civil Engineering
5/ For the box column shown below determine the value of ‘’𝑎’’ such that the column can safely
carry a load of 1750 kN which is determined using ASD load combinations. Use recommended 𝐾
values. S275 Steel, 𝐹𝑦 = 275 MPa.
6/ All columns HEB 650 and all beams HEA 500 (strong axis bending). Out of plane all columns are
supported at story levels. Use 𝐾 = 1 out of plane. All members are S275 Steel, 𝐹𝑦 = 275 MPa.
𝑃
Calculate design compressive strength (𝜙𝑐 𝑃𝑛 ) and allowable compressive strengths ( 𝑛⁄Ω ) for
𝑐
columns A, B, C and D according to AISC specification. All beam-to-column connections are rigid
except for one. Use recommended 𝐺 factors for column bases.
CE 388 Problem Set #2 3/11
CE 388 Fundamentals of Steel Design Middle East Technical University
Spring 2024 Department of Civil Engineering
7/ Find the lightest HEA section that supports the applied loads. The compression member is
subjected to a service dead load (𝐷) of 1000 kN and a service live load (𝐿) of 400 kN. Use ASD and
LRFD separately. Use 𝐷 + 𝐿 load combination for ASD and 1.2𝐷 + 1.6𝐿 load combination for LRFD.
Compare your findings.
S275 Steel. Use theoretical K values.
8/ According to the AISC 360-16 provisions, investigate the acceptability of HEB 450 section for
column CD (all members are of S355 steel; 𝐹𝑦 = 355 MPa). The axial compressive load is 500 kN dead
load (𝐷) and 2000 kN live load (𝐿), and bending moments are neglected. Use 1.2𝐷 + 1.6𝐿 load
combination. Use the recommended 𝐺 factor for the column base. Do not consider local buckling. All
beams are under strong axis bending for gravity loads.
CE 388 Problem Set #2 4/11
CE 388 Fundamentals of Steel Design Middle East Technical University
Spring 2024 Department of Civil Engineering
9/ A compressive design load of 𝑃 = 1000 kN (determined from ASD load combinations) is acting on
column AC in the frame shown below. Determine whether column AC has sufficient strength to
safely resist the given load according to AISC 360-16 provisions.
The frame is braced in one direction and unbraced in the other direction. All beam-column
connections are pin connections in the braced frame direction and rigid (moment) connections in the
unbraced frame direction.
The column cross section is made by continuously connecting two 20 mm thick plates on both
sides of an IPN 300 section, as shown below. Column orientation is indicated on the drawing. All
beams are IPN 300 and are bending about their strong axis under vertical loading.
Use S275 steel (𝐹𝑦 = 275 MPa).
Use the recommended 𝐺 value for column base.
10/ Determine the lightest HEB section beam of S355 steel (𝐹𝑦 = 355 MPa) for the pin supported
frame shown below according to AISC360-16 provisions. The frame columns are HE240M sections of
S275 steel and should safely support an axial load of 𝑃𝑢 = 1390 kN determined according to LRFD load
combinations. All members are under strong axis bending in the plane of the frame. Consider only in-
plane behavior (i.e., do not consider out-of-plane buckling). Use theoretical values in design. All
beam-to-column connections are rigid.
CE 388 Problem Set #2 5/11
CE 388 Fundamentals of Steel Design Middle East Technical University
Spring 2024 Department of Civil Engineering
11/ An axial compressive load of 𝑃 = 1500 kN (determined according to ASD load combinations) is
acting on the column given below. The column cross section is made by connecting four L200x100x12
sections continuously along the length of the member as shown. Determine whether this member
will be safe according to AISC360 provisions. S275 steel. Use recommended effective length factors
(𝐾 factors).
12/ In a steel frame structure, all columns are HEB300 sections and placed as shown in the plan
view. The horizontal members (beams and girder) are IPE500 sections and placed such that they
resist the gravity loads by bending about their strong axis. Calculate the maximum load 𝑃𝑚𝑎𝑥 that the
column CL can carry safely based on code provisions.
All sections are grade S275 steel. Braces BG, EN and CQ are pin-connected at both ends. Use
both ASD and LRFD formats. Use recommended 𝐺 values.
CE 388 Problem Set #2 6/11
CE 388 Fundamentals of Steel Design Middle East Technical University
Spring 2024 Department of Civil Engineering
13/ In the steel frame shown below the beams are rigidly connected to the columns in the long
direction of the frame and pin-connected in the short direction. Vertical point loads consisting of 800
kN dead load and 600 kN live load are acting at the midspan of the 10-meter long beams. The
columns are made by continuously connecting four L200x100x12 sections together. All beams are
IPN 400. Orientation of columns are indicated on the drawing. Beams are bending about their strong
axis under vertical loading. Determine whether the columns have sufficient strength to safely resist
the given loading. Use ASD. S355 steel. Use recommended 𝐺 values for column supports.
Assume that the entire vertical load is resisted by columns only (i.e., ignore the part of the
vertical load taken by braces).
14/ Point loads consisting of 10 kN dead load and 20 kN live load are acting on a truss structure as
shown below. Horizontal members (top chord and bottom chord) are made of IPN300 while vertical
and diagonal members are made of IPN100 profiles. All vertical and diagonal members are pin
connected to chord members using the connection detail given below. Considering only the behavior
in the plane of the truss, determine whether member AB will be safe under the given loading. S275
steel (𝐹𝑦 = 275 MPa, 𝐹𝑢 =430 MPa). Use ASD.
CE 388 Problem Set #2 7/11
CE 388 Fundamentals of Steel Design Middle East Technical University
Spring 2024 Department of Civil Engineering
15/ In the frame given below, member KL (HE300A, S275) is rigidly connected to the member LM
(IPE400, S275) in the a-c plane, and has a roller support at point L in the b-c plane. Orientation of
member KL in both planes, as well as the orientation of member LM are indicated in the drawing.
Determine if member KL will be safe under the given loading with 𝑃 = 1000 kN (determined from ASD
load combinations). Use recommended values for 𝐺 and 𝐾, wherever required. No need to consider
local buckling of the section.
16/ A one-story one-bay frame is shown below. The beam and the columns are from the same HEA
section. The beam is connected to the column AB by a pin connection and to the column CD with a
rigid connection. The column CD is subjected to 4000 kN of axial force which is determined according
to the LRFD load combinations. Determine the lightest HEA section of S275 steel for the column CD
according to AISC360-16 provisions. Use 𝐾 = 1 for out-of-plane buckling. Use theoretical 𝐺 factor for
the column base. All members are under strong axis bending for in-plane behavior. Use centerline
dimensions. Do not consider local buckling limit state.
CE 388 Problem Set #2 8/11
CE 388 Fundamentals of Steel Design Middle East Technical University
Spring 2024 Department of Civil Engineering
17/ In the frame given below, member AB is rigidly connected to members BC and BD. Members
BC and BD have IPN 200 cross section, while member AB has the built-up cross section shown below.
Orientation of all members are indicated in the drawing. Determine if member AB will be safe under
the given loading with 𝑃 = 300 kN (determined from ASD load combinations) considering only the
plane of the given frame. All members are made of S275 steel. Use recommended values for 𝐺 and
𝐾, wherever required. No need to consider local buckling of the section.
18/ In the following steel frame structure, all columns are HEB300 sections and placed such that
their strong axis is parallel to x-axis, as shown. The girders are HEA400 sections and placed such that
they resist the gravity loads by bending about their strong axis. Calculate the maximum load 𝑃𝑚𝑎𝑥
that the column CL can carry safely based on code provisions.
All sections are grade S275 steel. Braces AH and BG are pin-connected at both ends. Girder HI
is pin connected at I. Use both ASD and LRFD formats. Use recommended 𝐺 values.
CE 388 Problem Set #2 9/11
CE 388 Fundamentals of Steel Design Middle East Technical University
Spring 2024 Department of Civil Engineering
19/ In the following frame structure, the girders AB and CB are pin connected at B. The girders are
loaded by a distributed dead load 𝑞𝐷 = 50.0 kN/m and a live load 𝑃𝐿 travels back and forth between A
and C, as shown. All sections are S275 steel. In the lateral out-of-plane direction, the frame has
similar support conditions and restrained against translation at B. Find the allowable value 𝑃𝑎 (for
ASD) and the ultimate value 𝑃𝑢 (for LRFD) of the travelling load 𝑃𝐿 such that the column DB will carry
safely.
Neglect self-weight. Use 1.0𝐷 + 1.0𝐿 combination for ASD and 1.2𝐷 + 1.6𝐿 for LRFD.
20/ In the frame given below, determine the maximum load P that can safely be applied at point C
according to AISC 360-16 LRFD approach. Column cross section is made by connecting four
L150×90×10 sections, as shown below. All beams have IPN300 section. All beam-column connections
are rigid connections. All members are made of S235 steel (Fy = 235 MPa, Fu = 360 MPa). Do not
consider local buckling. Consider only the plane of the frame. Use theoretical G factor for the column
base.
CE 388 Problem Set #2 10/11
CE 388 Fundamentals of Steel Design Middle East Technical University
Spring 2024 Department of Civil Engineering
21/ A one-story one-bay frame is shown below. The beam is from S275 grade HEA700 section and
the columns are from the same HEB section. The beam-to-column connections are pinned. Both
columns are subjected to 5000 kN of axial force which is determined according to the LRFD load
combinations. Determine the lightest HEB section of S275 steel (Fy = 275 MPa, Fu = 430 MPa) for the
columns (AB and CD) according to AISC 360-16 provisions. Use K = 1 for out-of-plane buckling. Use
theoretical G factor for the column base. Use centerline dimensions. Do not consider local buckling.
CE 388 Problem Set #2 11/11