NCCI: Effective lengths of columns and truss elements in truss portal frame construction

SN031a-EN-EU
NCCI: Effective lengths of columns and truss elements in
truss portal frame construction
This NCCI presents methods to determine the effective length of columns and of chord
bracing members in truss and column portal frames. It includes coverage of cases not
covered by the rules in EN1993-1-1.

Contents
1. General 2
2. Columns 2
3. Chord and bracing members 3
4. Special cases 4
5. References 6

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NCCI: Effective lengths of columns and truss elements in truss portal frame construction
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NCCI: Effective lengths of columns and truss elements in truss portal frame construction
SN031a-EN-EU
1. General
This NCCI gives guidance on the determination of the effective length of columns in truss
and column construction. It also provides rules to calculate the effective length for chord and
bracing members in truss and column construction.
In a welded lattice girder, chord and bracing members are partially fixed at the nodes,
although the static calculation of the internal forces in the members is usually carried out
assuming the joints to be pinned. As a consequence of this partial restraint, the value of the
system length L may be reduced to obtain the effective buckling length L
eff
.
The rules given below are partly based on EN1993-1-1 Annex BB.1 (Buckling of components
in building structures). Detailed information about the structural stability of hollow sections
is given in CIDECT publications and the relevant information is summarized in section 3.
Rules for special cases taken from DIN 18800 are presented within section 4.
2. Columns
Table 2.1 provides information about the effective lengths of the columns, depending on the
supporting conditions at the end of the truss and at the column base. The values shown are
approximations that may be used in design.
Table 2.1 Effective length factors for in-plane buckling of columns in truss and column portal
frame buildings
Connection to base Connection to truss Effective length
factor L
cr
/h
Comment
Nominally pinned Fixed = 1,5 Nominally pinned bases give some
rotational restraint
Fixed Nominally pinned = 1,5 Connection to the truss gives some
rotational restraint
Fixed Fixed = 1,2 >1,0 because
some curvature of column above bottom
chord of truss
truss is not 100% rigid
base is not 100% rigid
connection to base is not 100% rigid
Note: The above factors apply where the frame is not restrained in its plane by bracing members.
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NCCI: Effective lengths of columns and truss elements in truss portal frame construction
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NCCI: Effective lengths of columns and truss elements in truss portal frame construction
SN031a-EN-EU
3. Chord and bracing members
3.1 EN 1993-1-1 Annex BB.1 General
Where more exact calculation of L
cr
is required, analysis may be carried out by determination
of eigenvalues using finite element modelling.
3.2 Hollow sections - Effective buckling length of chord
and bracing members with lateral support
Recommendations for the buckling lengths of hollow sections in lattice girders are given in
various documents. In addition to the clauses in EN 1993-1-1 (Annex BB.1.3), the following
may be used:
Bracings in-plane and out-of-plane
For all ratios of the outer diameter or width of a bracing to that of a chord:
L
eff
=0,75L (where L is the system length between the joints)

When the ratio of the outer diameter or width of a bracing to that of a chord is smaller than
0,6, the buckling length of the bracing member can be determined according to Table 3.1.
The equations given are only valid for bracing members, which are welded on the chords
along the full perimeter length without cropping or flattening of the ends of the members.
Due to the fact that no test results are, at present time, available on fully overlapped joints, the
equations given in Table 3.1 cannot be applied to this type of joint.

a) Gap joint b) Overlapped joint c) Fully overlapped joint
(Table 3.1 not applicable)

Figure 3.1 Types of joints
For cases where Table 3.1 is not applicable, a buckling length equal to the system length of
the bracing member be used.
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NCCI: Effective lengths of columns and truss elements in truss portal frame construction
SN031a-EN-EU
Table 3.1 Buckling length of a bracing member in a lattice girder
d
o
: outer diameter of a circular chord member
d
1
: outer diameter of a circular bracing member
b
o
: external width of a rectangular chord member
b
1
: external width of a rectangular bracing member
L
0
1
d
d
=
or
0
1
b
d
or
0
1
b
b

for all : L
eff
/L 0,75
when < 0,6 in general 0,5 L
eff
/L 0,75
calculate with:
4
0
2
1
eff
20 , 2
d L
d
L L =
(3.1)
chord: CHS
bracing: CHS
4
0
2
1
eff
35 , 2
b L
d
L L =
(3.2)
chord: RHS
bracing: CHS
4
0
2
1
eff
30 , 2
b L
b
L L =
(3.3)
chord: RHS
bracing: RHS

3.3 Hollow sections - Chords of lattice girders, whose
joints are not supported laterally
It is common practice to assume that the effective buckling length is equal to the length
between restraints. However, for laterally unsupported truss chords, the effective buckling
length can be considerably smaller than the actual unsupported length. The calculation is
difficult, so it is convenient to use a computer-program.
Two calculation methods are provided by literature for the case of compression chords in
lattice girders without lateral support. Both methods are based on an iterative method and
require the use of a computer. However, in order to facilitate the application for commonly
encountered cases (restrained in lateral direction), design charts have been drawn and appear
as appendices in CIDECT publications.
The effective buckling length of a bottom chord loaded in compression (as for example, by
uplift loading) depends on the loading of the chord, the torsional rigidity of the truss, the
bending rigidity of the purlins and the purlin to truss connection.
4. Special cases
4.1 Members connected to intersecting members
Design of joint
The members have to be connected directly or through a gusset plate. If both members pass
through the joint, the joint has to be designed for an out-of-plane load, 0,1 times the
maximum compression force, to account for the effects of imperfections. Possibly a greater
value should be taken if the imperfections are exceptionally large.
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NCCI: Effective lengths of columns and truss elements in truss portal frame construction
SN031a-EN-EU
In-plane buckling
For in-plane buckling, the buckling length Leff may be taken as equal to the system length L,
unless a smaller value can be justified by analysis.
Out-of-plane buckling
For out-of-plane buckling, the buckling length Leff may be taken according to Table 4.1,
depending on the structural details.
Table 4.1 Buckling length of a bracing member in a lattice girder
N
T
L
T
N
1
1
eff
L


/
2
L


/
2
L/2
L/2

3
1
3
1
1
eff
1
4
3
1
L I
L I
L N
L T
L L

=
but
L L 5 , 0
eff


N
N
L
L
N
N
1
1
1
eff
eff,1
1
L


/
2
L


/
2
L/2
L/2

3
1
3
1
1
1
eff
1
1
L I
L I
L N
L N
L L

+
=
but
L L 5 , 0
eff

3
1
3
1
1
1
1 eff,1
1
1
L I
L I
L N
L N
L L

+
=
but
1 eff
5 , 0 L L
N
N
L
L
N
N
1
1
1
eff
eff,1
1
L


/
2
L


/
2
L/2
L/2

continuous member in
compression
1
1
2
eff
12
1
L N
L N
L L

+ =
pinned member in compression
1 eff,1
5 , 0 L L =
if
( )

+



L N
L N
L
L N
I E
1
1
2
1
2
3
1
d
12

N
T
L
T
N
1
1
eff
L


/
2
L


/
2
L/2
L/2

1
75 , 0 1
L N
L T
L L
eff

=
but L L
eff
5 , 0


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NCCI: Effective lengths of columns and truss elements in truss portal frame construction
SN031a-EN-EU
Table 4.1 (continued) Buckling length of a bracing member in a lattice girder
N
T
L
T
N
1
1
eff
L


/
2
L


/
2
L/2
L/2

L L
eff
5 , 0 =
if
1
1

L T
L N

or if
( )

1
4
3
1
2
2
1
1
L T
L N L T
I E
d

N
T
N
N
L
L
1
eff,1
eff
L

=
N
T
L L
eff
25 , 0 75 , 0
but L L
eff
5 , 0

+ =
N
N
L L
eff
1
1 ,
25 , 0 75 , 0
N N <
1

4.2 Web members (flexible restraint at mid-span)
For out-of-plane buckling, the buckling length Leff for web members, with flexible restraints at
mid-spanmay be calculated according to equation 4.1.


N
L C
L L
d
eff
16
3
1 = (4.1)

L
N
N
C
1
2
d



C
d
1 1

with: L =system length between joints
N =max. compression force of N
1
;N
2
C
d
=rigidity of the frame (force per length unit),
concerning the out-of-plane deflection of
the joint between web member and post
member, but C
d
4N/L

Figure 4.1 Web member and rigidity of the frame
5. References
The rules in this NCCI are based on:
(1) EN 1993-1-1: Eurocode 3: Design of Steel Structures Part 1-1: General rules and
rules for Buildings. Annex BB.1 Flexural buckling of members in triangulated and
lattice structures
(2) CIDECT Structural stability of hollow sections, 1996
(3) DIN 18800: Stahlbauten, Teil 1: Bemessung und Konstruktion
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NCCI: Effective lengths of columns and truss elements in truss portal frame construction
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NCCI: Effective lengths of columns and truss elements in truss portal frame construction
SN031a-EN-EU
Quality Record
RESOURCE TITLE NCCI: Effective lengths of columns and truss elements in truss portal
frame construction
Reference(s)
ORIGINAL DOCUMENT
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Created by Matthias Oppe RWTH Aachen
Technical content checked by Christian Mller RWTH Aachen
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following STEEL Partners:

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